IS GETTING ITS DRAFT BOARD READY
The Phillies' recent success has not diminished their desire to add a top starting pitcher like Toronto ace Roy Halladay, a righthanded hitter for their bench, or bullpen reinforcements.
After sweeping three road games against Florida over the weekend and routing the Chicago Cubs, 10-1, last night, the Phils improved to a major-league-best 13-1 since July 3. They lead Atlanta by 61/2 games in the National League East.
All season, the front office has looked to add a starting pitcher and improve other facets of the club. The Phils are serious players in the Halladay sweepstakes, but they would need to sacrifice top talent to land the righthander. Does the newly impressive lead in the division alter their thinking, and perhaps cause greater hesitation to deal valuable players or prospects?
Not to manager Charlie Manuel. "As far as the team we're putting on the field, I think it is probably the best team in the division," he said. But he added: "Of all the talent we've got, we need to put some more pieces around it, and once we do that, that will make us better."
In the Phils' last 14 games entering last night, the pitching staff posted a 2.49 earned-run average and a 12-2 record. Manuel, though, was clear in his desire to add another high-ceiling talent.
"The last 13 days, our pitching has been very consistent, our starting pitching especially," he said. "But I think if you look, over the course of the season, I think talent plays out over 162 games. . . . If you ask some general manager or manager what kind of team they'd rather have, they'd say first of all we want a high-talented team.
"You can win sometimes when you put it together and play as a team. But most of the time, the talent prevails. That's why you see teams like the Yankees, Boston, [the] Mets, and they spend a large amount of money, because what do they look for? They look for the talent."
Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said that, despite the team's recent success, the Phils were still looking to improve. "All you have to do is look back two weeks ago," when the Phils were only 11/2 games up, Proefrock said. "We've got a long way to go. This isn't over by any stretch of the imagination, and we still need to be prepared for a tough battle the rest of the way. Hopefully, we will be in a position to get to the postseason and to compete while there, too. So we're still looking to strengthen our club."
Pedro Martinez arrived at the Phillies' spring-training complex in Clearwater, Fla., yesterday, where he worked out and was medically cleared to throw a simulated game today. The 37-year-old righthander is on the 15-day disabled list with a mild shoulder strain.
While Eric Bruntlett and John Mayberry Jr. have struggled as righthanded options off the Phillies' bench, veteran infielder Miguel Cairo has played well in triple A. Entering last night, Cairo was batting .305 with a .349 on-base percentage for Lehigh Valley, but he has not received a call-up. Mayberry offers more power than Cairo, and Bruntlett possesses more defensive versatility, but neither has produced.
"We've got people down there seeing them all the time," Proefrock said of his triple-A players, including Cairo. "I don't think we've forgotten about them by any stretch."
Wearing a Yankees cap, actor Jack Nicholson was in the stands for last night's game. Nicholson is working on a movie in Center City.
Contact staff writer Andy Martino at 215-854-4874 or amartino@phillynews.com.
Photos: 2009 Phillies 
