Are the Phillies really this stupid?

[LloydChristmas]

to answer the original question...no.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said that J.A. Happ will remain in the rotation.
"Happ's not going anywhere. He's not going out of the rotation," Amaro said. "He deserves to stay in the rotation. He has pitched very well. He's one of our most effective starters." The Phillies have a logjam in their rotation, with Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer and Happ currently holding down the fort and Pedro Martinez near a return to the major leagues. Happ has a 2.74 ERA through 26 games (14 starts) this season. Amaro mentioned that the team could go with a six-man rotation, although jettisoning Moyer (5.55 ERA through 21 starts) is probably the most prudent option. One problem: Moyer is owed $6.5 million next year. Aug. 6 - 1:18 pm et

it was pure speculation from everyone other than anyone that actually matters. neither amaro or manual have even speculated about moving happ from the rotation.

You're right about that. I'd say it's been nothing more than the zeitgeist of the Philly sports talk radio scene (which can be more powerful than one would like to believe).

[great gretzky]

The thing I hate is they owe Moyer that loot anyway. It's like when a team has a name closer they spent money on, but some other person steps in and is awesome. Then the original guy gets the job back, not because he deserves it, but because "you can't spend that money to leave on your bench." Sure you can. You are paying it either way.

[JTWood]

What about putting Moyer in the pen? Eyre's your only lefty in the pen, right?

[great gretzky]

tongue in cheek, but do they need one? They going to pull the lefty starter for lefty specialist?

[JTWood]

Well, you would be losing a lefty starter. The number of games with a right-handed starter just jumped 50%.

[great gretzky]

Well, you would be losing a lefty starter. The number of games with a right-handed starter just jumped 50%.

I was being a smart ass.

I think its patently obvious that Moyer should be the guy. Loyalty isn't always all its cracked up to be.

[SpecialFNK]

it would seem logical to move Moyer to the bullpen. when you look at the ERA/WHIP it just seems like an easy decision. but i also think it could be beneficial to move Happ to the pen. im not buying his ERA/WHIP, other numbers suggest he is not as good as advertised..
4.00 FIP
84.3 LOB%
.251 BABIP

the Phillies are working with some luck this season. just some of the lucky things off the top of my head.. the Halladay non trade where they sent not much to Cleveland to get Lee, not hitting well against LH pitching on the season but lighting up De La Rosa the last night, and then this kid who last night goes 9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K.. WHAT!?!?
im not buying it. i wouldnt be surprised to see more games like his July24 start (6 IP, 10 H, 5 ER) than his start yesturday.. but then again maybe hes just working with the luck this season and it will continue.

i dont think Pedro is coming back to pitchin in the bullpen. i think i read somewhere that there was something in the contract where he said he could be willing to pitch out of the pen? but is that something you really want, Pedro Martinez in the pen?

[JTWood]

i dont think Pedro is coming back to pitchin in the bullpen. i think i read somewhere that there was something in the contract where he said he could be willing to pitch out of the pen? but is that something you really want, Pedro Martinez in the pen?

John Smoltz says hi.

[DVauthrin]

it would seem logical to move Moyer to the bullpen. when you look at the ERA/WHIP it just seems like an easy decision. but i also think it could be beneficial to move Happ to the pen. im not buying his ERA/WHIP, other numbers suggest he is not as good as advertised..
4.00 FIP
84.3 LOB%
.251 BABIP
then this kid who last night goes 9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K.. WHAT!?!?
im not buying it. i wouldnt be surprised to see more games like his July24 start (6 IP, 10 H, 5 ER) than his start yesturday..

I saw highlights of the shutout last night, and he has the ability to throw 94 mph(with command and some movement). I only saw one breaking ball in the highlight, so I won't comment on that pitch's effectiveness. But his fastball command can take any pitcher a long way.

Even in that start vs St. Louis, he was great through 5 innings: 5 IP, 4 hits(2 of which were infield singles), 1 run, 0 walks and 5 K's. One bad inning did him in, as he allowed 6 straight hits and 4 runs to start the 6th inning. Plus, the cards are as good of a right handed lineup as you will see in the NL. DeRosa, Pujols, Holliday, Ludwick and even Molina are all solid right handed hitters.

[JTWood]

Plus, the cards are as good of a right handed lineup as you will see in the NL.

You no idea how long it took me to pick myself up off the floor after hearing someone say that.