What to do about Happ?
This is what Charlie Manuel said about the possibility of finding a start for J.A. Happ: “We’ll consider doing anything we have to do…I don’t mean we’re going to put Happ in the rotation just yet.” Given the rotation’s atrocious numbers and Happ’s strong spring training and bullpen work, the young man seems like he could help out as a starter. But as you all know, that’s tricky. How do you get him in there? Moyer has a two-year contract and wouldn’t be an ideal reliever, Myers has re-committed to starting, Park earned himself another few turns…. I’m leaving for Philly in two minutes and won’t be covering the game tomorrow, but I’ll leave you with a question: What do you think the team should do about Happ? Don’t just say “start him;” come up with a plan for how, if that’s what you think should happen.
What to do about Happ?
Andy Martino
This is what Charlie Manuel said about the possibility of finding a start for J.A. Happ: “We’ll consider doing anything we have to do…I don’t mean we’re going to put Happ in the rotation just yet.”
Given the rotation’s atrocious numbers and Happ’s strong spring training and bullpen work, the young man seems like he could help out as a starter. But as you all know, that’s tricky. How do you get him in there? Moyer has a two-year contract and wouldn’t be an ideal reliever, Myers has re-committed to starting, Park earned himself another few turns….
I’m leaving for Philly in two minutes and won’t be covering the game tomorrow, but I’ll leave you with a question: What do you think the team should do about Happ? Don’t just say “start him;” come up with a plan for how, if that’s what you think should happen.
Comments (53)
Why move Myers to the pen? He has the best ERA (5.35) of the starters and is the only one who constantly pitches into the sixth inning (6.1 innings). Blanton is next at 5.4 innings per start Park is third at 5.2. He pitched one inning in relief. Although Myers' ERA is not a very good one, the second best –Park at 6.67- is allowing a little over a run more than him.— EL Zorro- Varsho, I disagree. Park was signed to a one-year contract at like 7 millions less than Moyer, if I am correct. He is younger than Moyer, has better stuff and can give you options Moyer can: He can be a starter and reliever. He was the best Phillies pitcher in Spring Training, but then had to sit for almost two weeks to get his first start of the season. Now he is struggling to get his rhythm back. The same thing happened to Rollins. He was the best hitter for the Team USA in the Classic and the only one to make the All Classic Team. Then had to travel to Spring Training, then Charlie sat him for a few games, giving Brunlett, and the other players fighting for a bench spot a few starts here and there (I don't know why when they had plenty of playing time when Rollins was absent), and now he is struggling mightily.— EL Zorro
- an injury will take care of the problem, bank on it— Captain Splendor
- You go with the rotation you have right now for now. Problem is you can not remove Moyer on one bad start. He won 3 games and got us the win last time he pitched against the Mets. Park can obviously not be removed after his last start. And Myers has been battling and has been one of the most consistent in the rotation. Happ waits for the first starter that you give up on and remove. Moyer was over throwing his change, it is usually more like 70, 75 is hard and that is why it stayed up. I really think Moyer will be fine. Park if he pounds the zone will be fine and Myers has pitched pretty good. He may be the best to use in the pen but if Moyer or Park prove to be ineffective how do you take Myers out who has won and given us a chance to win every game he has pitched in???— mmac
- How do some of you remove Myers when the main problem recently is Park and Moyer???— mmac
- EZ - history is the best indicator of future performance - and history tells us Moyer will give you a solid year and Park is better suited for the pen. And by history, I don't mean spring training, but the past 5 years.— Gary Varsho
- History also tells you that Moyer is not effective when pitching to veteran ball clubs and when the umpires are not very generous, like last night and in the playoffs last year. History also tells you that not many 46 years old have success in baseball. He has three wins this year, but he has the best-run support in the league. I don't know if we can count on the team to score 8 or more runs in each of his next starts. That is an aberration.— EL Zorro
- Moyer was 16-7 last year with a 3.71 ERA. And he was 45. Until he proves otherwise (more than 6 games thus far), I give him the benefit of the doubt. If at the end of this year his ERA is over 5 and he loses more than he wins, then it may be time for him to go, but until then, lets wait and see.— Gary Varsho
- And before last year incredible second half when Moyer went 8-1, history tells you that he is not a very good second half picher. Looking at your 5-year history barometer since 2004 to 2007 (again excluding last year of course) he was 19-22 with an ERA over 5.00. So if we are to judge by his second half history performance, he has to pitch lights out to have a decent year. That’s a lot to ask.— EL Zorro
- you're all forgetting that the rotation doesnt need to be unhittable, the phils can consistently put up 3, 4 or 5 runs its when their starters are getting tagged for 6 runs through 3 innings that gets things difficult. you need to leave it as it is for now, later in the season you can explore options for JA or Kendrick, who is getting his act together in triple-a. whats important is the starters at least keeping the bleeding manageable— jdol06
- Overreacting as always. This is the same rotaion for the most part that won you a World Series last year. I think you keep an eye on Moyer b/c he is a thousand and hasn't beat a good team in forever. But other than that you let it ride b/c believe it or not they are in first place.— Captain
Comment removed.- Once Romero gets back, you can bet Happ will be in the rotation.— mjb
- I don't think Romero coming back would necessarily bring Happ to the rotation. Happ is a long innings reliever and Romero was the "bridge to Lidge".— KarenA
It's crazy to be talking about making major moves in this rotation at this point. Yes, Moyer is a question mark, simply because we're getting into uncharted territory with him. But he has earned the opportunity to keep starting. Hamels is obviously a non-issue. Meyers and Blanton, you have to stick with them and hope they can up their game. If they do not, you deal with it down the road. The only move that can be seriously discussed at this point is Happ for Park. And the status of that situation is on hold due to Park's strong outing the other night. He bought himself at least one more start, probably more, unless he blows up next outing. The reality is that Happ is filling a very valuable role right now, so there's no rush to change things unless Park collapses. That will force the hand and Charlie will swap them. If Park holds his own, then Happ stays in the pen until JC is back. Oh, and 6 man rotation? Big mistake. Pitchers crave routine, and changing up starts on the fly shoots that all to h@ll.— bobby
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