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Thursday, July 10, 2008
Happ Optioned, Cervenak Up

The Phillies optioned lefthander J.A. Happ to triple-A Lehigh Valley and have purchased the contract of infielder Mike Cervenak.

The Phillies don't need a fifth starter until the July 22-24 series against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Rather than have Happ sit and not pitch for 15 days, they have sent him to the IronPigs to continue to pitch. There remains a chance he could return and pitch against the Mets in a couple weeks, but not if the Phillies think Brett Myers is ready to return to the rotation. Myers is pitching tomorrow for double-A Reading and will make one more minor-league start after the all-star break. He could after that.

Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 11:34 AM  Permalink | 45 comments
45
Comments   
Posted 11:51 AM, 07/10/2008
Truth
I wonder if Cholly had a say in this? I don't see how the mgr would rather have Eaton pitch than Happ. This is really a pathetic decision by P.G. and the brain trust...
Posted 12:09 PM, 07/10/2008
acerulli
It's all about the benjamins... Eaton is making them, so he will pitch, unless they can invent another arm injury. I always find that philosophy interesting though...don't release a player because you owe him money, and don't want to pay someone not play for your team, so instead keep him, and pay him the same money to HURT your team.
Posted 12:12 PM, 07/10/2008
KGKoons
Agreed. Send Eaton to Japan. Anywhere. Happ has pitched bravely. Eaton is a wuss. Time to cut bait with this lout and allow some other pitcher to take his position. And another infielder like Mike? Why????
Posted 12:14 PM, 07/10/2008
Shabba Rommel
Myers is toast. Happ isnt the anwer. Eaton is done. Moyer/Kendrick are average. Ownership is just making excuses why they wont sign another starter. No Championship for the Phils this year.
Posted 12:25 PM, 07/10/2008
Bubba346
Look! I acknowledge its way too early to get excited about Happ. After all he only pitched two games. Question. This year has Meyers or Eaton pitched two consectutive games like Happ? Just wondering.
Posted 12:28 PM, 07/10/2008
RAS
Happ has shown us that he has good command of his pitches. If he can develop an effective changeup (see Hamels and Kendrick) to go along with his other pitches, he'll be the real deal. Good for him and the Phils! It'll be interesting to watch his development. I wouldn't be surpised if he supplants Myers or Eaton in the rotation in the near future, especially if Gordon is out for longer than 15 days. The down side of all this is whether or not Pat Gillick is thinking that he doesn't need to acquire another starter now. Say it ain't so Pat.
Posted 12:34 PM, 07/10/2008
Matt
Truth is an idiot. They sent Happ down so he can pitch again in 5 days. He'll be back up after the break.
Posted 12:35 PM, 07/10/2008
jrquixote
What do we have to do to jettison So Taguchi and bring up Jaramillo, if just for a while?
Posted 12:37 PM, 07/10/2008
yobill626
Eaton certainly hasn't been terrible over the course of the year --- not like his last start. People are still pi$$ed off from last year's implosion --- THAT might be the reason Eaton is eventually sent packing, not his current productivity (which is average). Happ has shown himself (so far) to be in the Kyle Kendrick mold --- & that's not a bad thing. Happ did himself a solid in his short trip. If he goes down & does what he's told, he'll be back. I don't want the Phils to mortgage their future for a shot this year. A Sabathia deal would have been a terrible one for the Phils.
Posted 12:43 PM, 07/10/2008
pat h
Myers, should be back after break. Happ, filled in and did a great job. He has a future in this organization
Posted 12:48 PM, 07/10/2008
Truth
Matt-you are an idiot and have the reading comprehension skills of my 4 yr old niece. Why should he pitch there in 5 days and not here in Eatons place when he starts again?
Posted 01:04 PM, 07/10/2008
scotty82
Because, Truth, in 5 days the Phils are on the All Star break. They want to keep Happ on his regular schedule so he can be ready to go July 22nd, as stated in the article. Looks like your niece has better reading comprehension skills than YOU.
Posted 01:04 PM, 07/10/2008
yahmpy
Happ can use the work, but I'm still saying I'd rather have Happ pitching for the Phils instead of Eaton. Why deal for a B-list lefty who's a chronic complainer and injured list candidate like Bedard, when you have a guy like Happ who could probably give you the same 6-7 innings for about six and a half million dollars less? I can't wait to see what the Phillies finally do at the end of the month to set their rotation.
Posted 01:06 PM, 07/10/2008
RAS
Matt and Truth, there are no games in either league (MLB or AAA) in five days due to the All Star break. S who's the idiot? Serioulsy guys, the name calling gets old. Please treat each other with respect. Thanks.
Posted 01:14 PM, 07/10/2008
Matt
Eaton starts Saturday. According to my math, if Happ started again Saturday he would be pitching on 3 days rest. 5 days is the all star break pal.
Posted 01:16 PM, 07/10/2008
KarenA
I'm going to the Reading Phillies game on Sunday. Too bad I'll miss Myers pitching. It would've been interesting to see how he's really doing. I think the Phils are making a smart move with Happ. If he pitches well after the break I would bet they keep him around somehow. He's been a pleasant surprise so far.
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Posted 01:34 PM, 07/10/2008
bobby
All I can say is... I knew Ryan Howard woudl come around. LOL! But seriously, he really is starting to show that old form. Best thing about today's 1st inning homer: fouling off 3 pitches with a full count to extend the AB. Go Phils!
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Posted 01:45 PM, 07/10/2008
Eddie......
This was a logical decision, given the fact the JA can continue to pitch in his normal rotation and he has a multitude of options left with such minimal MLB service time.
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Posted 02:15 PM, 07/10/2008
Beef69
Heard the Phils are real close in getting AJ Burnett.
Posted 02:36 PM, 07/10/2008
jeff gross
I'm confused. Acording to Todd the guy they called up is a inf but acording to the Iron Pigs site he plays LF. Which is it?? Could he be being tested in case Burrell isn't here next year??
Posted 02:38 PM, 07/10/2008
timm
Seattle just put Bedard on the DL. No need going after another injured pitcher. They also released Sexson, not that it mattered to the phils.
Posted 02:43 PM, 07/10/2008
tom - wilmington, de
Does anyone really believe the Phils are going to pay Myers his $10 million or so to pitch in the minors? And does it make sense to pay Eaton his $8.0 million for this year and next if he is not pitching? Best world would be the Phils trading Myers as a closer (didn't Jenks just go on the DL) and throw Eaton in as a bonus,then trade for another starter, possibly A.J. Burnett. Happ pitched well and should be back soon.
Posted 02:49 PM, 07/10/2008
PhillySubsMac
Forget Jaramillo and go straight for Marson, if he's ready to hit big-league pitching. Sad they'd send Happ down after his outing and ovation last night...hopefully they put Happ on Eaton's day and dump Eaton after the break. Hurt again, probably, Mitch Williams has his number with the (poor) arm slot.
Posted 03:12 PM, 07/10/2008
Truth
Once again Bill Conlin appropriately rips the Phillies organization to shreds in his own subliminal way. Great read today. Gillick should be ashamed of himself after his horrific moves are so shrewdly displayed for the masses to see. I wonder if any of YOU even understand the magnitude of the errors this GM and this organization have made.
Posted 03:19 PM, 07/10/2008
James
I would have optioned Eaton to the minors and kept Happ for a couple of more starts. I wish I had Bill Gates money and I would have bought the Phillies if I could do.
Posted 03:28 PM, 07/10/2008
bobby
Jamie Moyer put on a clinic today in the "bend, don't break" method of pitching. Scattered 7 hits and gave up just one run in 7 innings. Awesome.
Posted 03:28 PM, 07/10/2008
Truth
Only a group of morons would send Happ down. Keep around the club let him throw on the side if need be. Let him throw a cple of relief innings to stay sharp-I mean once again if you think outside of the box this is obvious. Gillick may be the worse GM in sports!!! At least we have Stefanski now.
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Posted 03:40 PM, 07/10/2008
Truth
How about Ryans two dingers today? Wow- looks like he's attained the individual lead in that category as well! Yep he's back. .260 50+ Hr's and 160 Rbi's is definitely possible given his well discussed slow start....Actually I think he gets his avg up to .270. When will Philadelphians give Ryan his due?
Posted 04:01 PM, 07/10/2008
KarenA
Truth--I've always been a Ryan Howard fan and he's stats are incredible. He can just frustrate the fans on many occasion. But he is fun to watch when he's in the zone :-) Moyer is just simply amazing!! You gotta give Gillick credit bringing him to the Phils. GREAT WIN TODAY!
Posted 04:07 PM, 07/10/2008
timm
i believe ruiz has no options so it is either he stays with the club or he has to clear waivers to go to triple A.
Posted 04:09 PM, 07/10/2008
PhillyCooke
So, if Myers is ready after this next start, that still leaves the Phillies with 5 starters, which they don't need. Does that mean Eaton sits after the All-star break or do you keep Myers in the minors for one more start?
Posted 04:11 PM, 07/10/2008
bobby
The wins last night and today are huge. Not just for the W, but because the Phils are showing some signs of waking up from this offensive slumber they've been in. Jimmy is still looking shaky, but he did have a triple last night and a double today. Chase isn't on fire, but seems to not be so frustrated at the plate as he was. And of course, Ryan Howard is showing a glimpse of his MVP form right now. You remember, where pitchers are afraid to throw him anything and just hope they can miss his bat? Add to that impressive outings by J.A. Happ (do we really want Brett Myers instead of J.A.?) and Jamie Moyer, and you have to feel a little better about the team right now than you did a week ago. Let's keep it going. I'm down there tomorrow night and I want to see fireworks... and I don't mean after the game!
Posted 04:23 PM, 07/10/2008
Truth
Moyer certainly was one of P.G.'s finer moments-along with Lohse and Conine. KarenA is 100% correct. bobby-I think the two wins show how reliant this team is on Howards bat and its good to see the pitching and his hitting coming together on successive days. I feel great about the teams prospects after the break. I forsee the team reeling off a 9-2 11-4 stretch and the Mets and Marlins cooling off. If the Phillies can open another 6-8 gm lead by mid August they should be tough to catch even if the bats cool again...
Posted 04:33 PM, 07/10/2008
Phillyfan28
Get over it! you are both idiots. And we should be able to get AJ Burnett for a relativly cheap price.
Posted 04:34 PM, 07/10/2008
Phillyfan28
And maybe we can see what carrasco has when he gets healthy
Posted 04:36 PM, 07/10/2008
Ronnyboy
So anyways, the Happ move makes total sense, let him stay fresh pitching in the minors, maybe he will be this years Kendrick. But I agree, we need a starting catcher and a starter. I think you deal Myers to a team who needs a closer, say like the Indians, and have them throw in something else, and trade our prospects and whatever it takes to Houston for Oswalt. He is locked up til 2011 I believe, so it isn't like we would be losing out on a rental, and he is a solid pitcher, and maybe a change of scenery may help him improve.
Posted 05:11 PM, 07/10/2008
RAS
Larry Anderson harshly criticized J-Roll today on the post game radio. He said in so many words that he is playing uninspired baseball and needs to get it together now. I didn't catch all of it from the beginning, but I guess it was precipitated by Jimmy's throwing error in the eight inning where he made (another) lackadaisical fielding play and threw short to Howard. Not that I give a kahoot about what LA thinks, but it appears J-Roll is starting to wear thin besides here, i.e. with the "homers" like Anderson.
Posted 09:33 PM, 07/10/2008
KMG
This is the J-Roll of three years ago- swinging for the fences al the time, low on base pct. and lax play in the field. He is not earning his salary right now. If you want to rip Gillick for Eaton, Garcia, Taguchi, etc. that's fine but then you have to give him credit for Dobbs, Durbin, Romero and Moyer. He's also the first GM to take us to the playffs in 15 yars. he has not been phenomenal but he hasn't been awful, either.
Posted 11:46 AM, 07/11/2008
Truth
KMG-Gillick inherited this team. The Mets collapsed not exactly a dominating performance
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