Halladay won't get in verbal joust with Mets

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies might view Roy Halladay as enhancing their chances at winning another World Series, but they'll have to look elsewhere for someone to enhance their rivalry with the New York Mets. One day after Johan Santana picked himself as the best pitcher in the National League East, Halladay politely declined to be drawn into the discussion.

"No, I steer clear of that," he said. "I think it was a Lou Holtz quote, 'Well-done is always more important than well-said.' I've always tried to take that philosophy."

That philosophy originated from lips of Ben Franklin, although Lou Holtz certainly might have borrowed from him.

Halladay is 2-2 with a 5.55 ERA in four career starts against the Mets, the most recent of which came in 2006.

Santana was asked by New York reporters on Thursday his opinion on the best pitcher in the NL East. According to various reports, the lefty shrugged and replied, "Santana."

Over the last six seasons, Halladay is 89-45 with a 3.14 ERA, 888 strikeouts, 213 walks and a 1.133 WHIP in 1,205 innings. Santana, meanwhile, is 99-48 with a 2.86 ERA, 1,335 strikeouts, 307 walks and a 1.046 WHIP in 1,313 innings.

The Mets' Santana battled injuries last year, going 13-9 with a 3.13 ERA in 25 starts, but has told reporters that he is healthy and optimistic about 2010.

Ross Gload, the lefthanded-hitting first baseman/outfielder the Phillies signed to strenghthen their bench, appeared to be the lone new arrival. Gload, whom the Phillies regard as a talented defensive first baseman, took grounders at that position. But manager Charlie Manuel indicated that he will likely get most of his at-bats in the outfield, where he can play either corner.

He seems like an ideal candidate to give Jayson Werth an occasional rest against righthanded pitching. Gload hit .271 with a .345 OBP and .777 OPS last year against righties, while going just 6-for-31 against lefties. All six of his home runs came off righties. In fact, over the last three seasons, Gload has hit 16 home runs off righties and zero off lefties.

Gload hit an impressive .318 in 66 pinch-hit at-bats last season, with two home runs, 15 RBI, and 11 walks for an .872 OPS. He started 38 games for the Marlins, hitting .235 with a .283 OBP in those situations.

Gload and fellow reserve Greg Dobbs have similar skill sets: Both are lefthanded hitters who can play first base and the corner outfield (Dobbs can also play third).

"I'm not going to sit here and promise anybody at-bats," Manuel said. "I never do that. But at the same time, we'll try to get our guys on the bench as many bats as possible, because that's what keeps them sharp."

Righthander Ryan Vogelsong, a 32-year-old former Kutztown star who was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round in 1998 but has spent the last three seasons in Japan, looked sharp in his bullpen session . . . Pitchers Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton also threw yesterday.