The Zo Zone

So at best, only Victorino, Utley and Madson are expected to contribute for a push to the playoffs.

At least that's how I read it. Bourn could be back, but why rush him? He has a future to protect.

The way I see it --- Mathieson will compete for a starting job next spring; the careers of Garcia and Lieber with the Phillies likely have ended; and Barajas has to play behind Coste the rest of the season.

What does everyone else think?

With Victorino's return imminent and that of Mathieson close, the Phillies could see some positives on the horizon. I liked Mathieson big time and I think that an electric arm, plus Tommy John where he was throwing 95 and it may be better, is useful when needed. With Garcia, probably projected out to late August, I'd say we need to figure this one out. Garcia has a huge upside if his velocity returns, but otherwise, he's to be put on the shelf. Kyle Lohse and Adam Eaton are huge ? marks. I like Moyer and Kendrick to go with Hamels, though I feel Kendrick could blow up. However, he seems poised. Utley would be huge by September 1st, hopefully Culp will move up that visit to August 12-15, lol.

I just can't see them keep running Eaton out there to get hammered for 4 or 5 innings every start when they may have three starting pitchers in "inventory" as Gillick would say who are pitching better right now: Durbin has more quality starts than Eaton during the time he joined the team; and Castro and Happ were outstanding in their last starts at AAA. Maybe Eaton needs 15 days off to regain his effectiveness?

Steve Dull,
As much as I like your optimism, you overlook a little thing I like to call, "reality." J.A. Happ has electric stuff as well as Fabio Castro. Castro has not started a major league game and Happ was terrible both in Spring Training and against the Mets in a crucial game. They both have great stuff, just no control. When they do throw strikes, David Wright and Carlos Delgado hit them a long way. I agree about Durbin, but the kid needs to have one niche and one only in order to remain effective. Bouncing him back and forth between bullpen and rotation will force him to struggle more. I am the biggest "get rid of Eaton" advocate. 8.5 million is one reason to keep him and his NL-worst ERA is one reason to bench him. He doesn't have an out pitch and refuses to pitch to contact like Hamels is learning at the ripe age of 23. I'd like to see where Scott Mathieson is down the stretch, though he's young. But for now, options are not there outside of Eaton. Thank you Ken Williams for at least making up for the Garcia trade with Iguchi. Frowns for that fact that Gavin Floyd shut out Detroit the other night.