It struck me once I compared the names.
The Phillies are at the halfway point, 44-44 and 4 1/2 games behind the New York Mets in the National League East. But it's a miracle they're that close. Consider for a second the Phillies have used 25 pitchers this season, two short of the team record 27 pitchers used in 2000.
If you have to use 25 pitchers in 88 games, it's not a good sign.
In fact, it means two things: injuries and ineffectiveness.
The current Phillies have a 4.91 ERA, which ranks last in the National League and third-worst in baseball. The 2000 pitching staff had a 4.77 ERA, which ranked 11th in the league and 17th in baseball. That's right: the 2000 Phillies, which finished 65-97 to get Terry Francona fired, had better pitching than the 2007 Phillies. But that really does not hit home until you take a look at the names the Phillies have used this season and in 2000.
Here are the 25 pitchers used this season: Antonio Alfonseca, Joe Bisenius, Fabio Castro, Clay Condrey, J.D. Durbin, Adam Eaton, Anderson Garcia, Freddy Garcia, Geoff Geary, Tom Gordon, Cole Hamels, J.A. Happ, Yoel Hernandez, Kyle Kendrick, Jon Lieber, Ryan Madson, Jose Mesa, Jamie Moyer, Brett Myers, J.C. Romero, Francisco Rosario, Brian Sanches, Zack Segovia, Matt Smith and Mike Zagurski.
Here were the 27 pitchers used in 2000: Scott Aldred, Andy Ashby, Kent Bottenfield, Jeff Brantley, Mark Brownson, Jason Boyd, Chris Brock, Kirk Bullinger, Paul Byrd, Bruce Chen, David Coggin, Omar Daal, Wayne Gomes, Mark Holzemer, Tom Jacquez, Trevor Miller, Doug Nickle, Vicente Padilla, Robert Person, Cliff Politte, Carlos Reyes, Curt Schilling, Steve Schrenk, Amaury Telemaco, Ed Vosberg, Bryan Ward and Randy Wolf.
The Phillies simply cannot make the playoffs this year unless they see significant improvements to their pitching staff. They will need Myers and Gordon to return to the bullpen, stay healthy and pitch effectively. And soon. And they will need Pat Gillick to acquire an effective pitcher for the rotation. Gillick is not optimistic at the moment that can happen, but there's no way he can expect Charlie Manuel to make the postseason with Durbin or Happ or Segovia in the rotation.
Buckle up, kids. The second half starts tomorrow night against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park.
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Bob Ford writes how the next two weeks could be make or break for the Phillies.
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Here's the transcript from the Internet chat I had earlier today.
Comments (5)
But what options do they have in the rotation other than the guys in house?
The minor league system appears to have one capable player at each position, a far cry from the depth they had earlier this decade when they were one of the best systems in the league.
With no depth, who do they trade to get someone capable in return?
Posted by Anonymous | July 12, 2007 9:09 AM
Posted on July 12, 2007 09:09
why, oh why, is nobody talking about Greg Dobbs' trade value? the guy has been a stud this year at the plate and he can play a variety of defensive positions adequately. why couldn't the Phils package him with a low level prospect for another Jamie Moyer-esque deal? say for the Giants' Matt Morris or the Astros' Wandy Rodriguez...
Posted by Lea | July 12, 2007 10:23 AM
Posted on July 12, 2007 10:23
Todd, I think you are exactly correct, they need a starter. It seems odd because the bullpen gets so much focus, but IF Gordon and Myers come back healthy AND effective, the bullpen will be fine. It's a starter they need.
Posted by Tom G | July 12, 2007 10:35 AM
Posted on July 12, 2007 10:35
Lea, nobody is going to trade Wandy Rodriguez (young with too much potential) or Matt Morris (playoff savvy) for Greg Dobbs. Yeah, Dobbs has played well, but he's not trade bait for a player of their caliber.
Posted by Anonymous | July 12, 2007 4:18 PM
Posted on July 12, 2007 16:18
I would like to see the Phils get a pitcher named Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins. I like his work ethic and the speed in which he moves a game along. I'd trade for him in a minute. How the Phillies do in the second half depends on who they can get, if they don't act soon, the E-A-G-L-E-S chant will take place at Citizen's Bank Park, then you know the Phillies season is really over! :)
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Posted by Rich B | July 12, 2007 8:48 PM
Posted on July 12, 2007 20:48