Paul Hagen: Starting pitchers will be available, if Phillies need one

"To see ourselves as others see us!"

Robert Burns would have loved watching the Fox and

ESPN games.

Anyway, one of the key notes struck by Tim McCarver, Joe Buck and Ken Rosenthal before Saturday's game at the new Yankee Stadium was the premise that the Phillies must add at least one starting pitcher if they hope to contend in the division this season, much less defend that big red banner that flutters high above centerfield at Citizens Bank Park.

Now, it didn't take an army of researchers staying up all night to reach that conclusion. The Phillies' rotation, even after Joe Blanton's seven shutout innings in a 5-3 win against the Marlins last night, has a 5.86 earned run average. That's last in baseball, more than a half-run higher than the reeling Washington Nationals, who are next at 5.31.

Doesn't make it wrong, though . . .

Now, if past is indeed prologue, it wouldn't be shocking if the Phillies make a move. In each of the 3 years of Pat Gillick's stewardship, a starting pitcher arrived in time for the stretch drive. Last year it was Blanton. The year before that, Kyle Lohse. In 2006, Jamie Moyer. Ruben Amaro Jr. is a Gillick disciple who talks frequently to the previous general manager, now a consultant for the team.

And there will be some pitchers who change uniforms before it's all over.

Every year, it seems, there is one starter who becomes the focus for fans of all contending teams seeking help for their rotations. Last summer it was CC Sabathia. The reaction around the corner of Broad and Pattison when Blanton arrived instead was lukewarm, at best.

But the Phillies went 9-4 in his starts. And he got the win in the Division Series clincher at Milwaukee and also won Game 4 of the World Series, helping himself by hitting a home run.

The name that will attract the most attention this year figures to be San Diego's Jake Peavy and, yes, the Phillies will certainly conduct their due diligence.

There are several reasons to believe Peavy won't be wearing red pinstripes any time soon, though.

One is that he has a complete no-trade clause and to this point has shown no inclination to waive it to go anywhere except the Chicago Cubs and, possibly, the Los Angeles Dodgers. And his agent, Barry Axelrod, hinted recently to the Arlington Heights Daily Herald that Peavy is tiring of the ongoing trade rumors and may soon inform the club that he won't budge for the rest of the season.

Even if he was willing to leave spacious Petco Park to pitch in the cozy Bank, the $63 million he was still owed at the start of the season and the package of players that would be required to get him would still be issues.

Astros righthander Roy Oswalt is another name that has been rumored. But Houston general manager Ed Wade, in the past at least, has not been inclined to easily give up on a season. Last year when most people thought he should be selling, he added lefthander Randy Wolf instead. Wade was vindicated, by the way, when the Astros got back into contention by winning 15 of 18.

One name that will almost certainly be out there, and could be within reach, is Brad Penny. The Red Sox signed the righthander to a 1-year, $5 million free-agent contract last winter. But they have John Smoltz set to be activated in June and Clay Buchholz pitching lights out at Triple A Pawtucket, and something's gotta give.

Interestingly, Penny can't be dealt until June 15 and Smoltz' rehab clock runs out 4 days later.

Rosenthal, who often has an accurate insight into the Phillies' thinking, has reported that they have made inquiries about Colorado's Jason Marquis. That would make sense. The Rockies appear to be on the verge of blowing it up and starting over. Marquis is making $9.875 million in the final year of his contract.

Another team that might be looking to unload salary is Arizona. The Diamondbacks already have fired manager Bob Melvin. That could put lefthander Doug Davis on the market. He's making $8.75 million and is also in the final year of his contract.

The Mariners are widely believed to be prepared to listen to offers for potential free agents Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista, who is working out of the bullpen this year but has started in the past.

The Giants aren't likely to part with righthander Matt Cain, even to get a badly needed bat. But some believe they could be persuaded to give up lefty Jonathan Sanchez in the right deal.

The trading deadline is 2 months from Sunday, so there's still plenty of time for teams to determine whether they're buyers or sellers . . . and for the Phillies to figure out if the need to add a starter is still as acute as it seems to be now. *

Send e-mail to hagenp@phillynews.com