One of the team's most important pitchers arrived at camp yesterday:
Adam Eaton.
That's right, Eaton.
OK, he pitched terribly last year. But while he certainly isn't the most popular pitcher in Philadelphia, the Phillies badly need him to bounce back from his 2007 struggles. Because while the Phillies appear comfortable with Cole Hamels and Brett Myers at the top of their rotation, there are question marks the rest of the way with Kyle Kendrick (sophomore slump?), Jamie Moyer (oldest player in baseball) and Eaton (6.29 ERA last season).
And remember what happened last year.
They had six starters (Hamels, Myers, Moyer, Eaton, Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber) and just one (Moyer) went the entire season without a trip to the DL.
Crazy things can happen.
So to think the Phillies don't need a big bounce back from Eaton -- to think he isn't be a key factor to this team's success -- is inaccurate. He thinks he can turn things around. He talked about physical and personal issues that might have contributed to his problems last year.
*
But the Phillies aren't pinning their hopes on Eaton, either. There's a very good chance Kris Benson is in camp with the Phillies before the weekend. If he signs, he will be competing with Eaton for that last spot in the rotation.
"We have made significant progress over the last 24 hours," said Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton. "There is a very good possibility that in the next 24 to 36 hours, Kris will have an opportunity to reach an agreement with the Phillies."
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Ah, simpler times. Courtesy of Randball.
Comments (21)
that pic of eaton is from the 1st inning of way too many games last year.......
Posted by timm | February 13, 2008 9:57 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 09:57
Hopefully Eaton and Benson will be replaced by Carrasco and Savery by July. Gillick needs to go all out this season. Pat wants to add another World Series to his resume. Anyone heading to Clearwater???
Posted by Case | February 13, 2008 10:00 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 10:00
Let's hope Kendrick comes back strong.
Posted by s | February 13, 2008 10:58 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 10:58
I wish I were in Clearwater with you bro. Instead, I just got done shoveling my driveway off...I'm so jealous!
Posted by GM-Carson | February 13, 2008 11:14 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 11:14
Why Benson? Lohse is cheaper, and just as effective. Throw Benson in with Eaton - they both blow. This does not make me feel good, although Anna certainly does!!!
Posted by MAK | February 13, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 11:35
timm, that's too funny, but so true. (1st post)
Actually, I think that Todd labeling Eaton as "One of the team's most important pitchers" is rather presumptive. In reality he COULD be that, but as of this moment we have only his performance last year to go on. And based on that, he certainly is not an important figure on this team.
That's not knockin' him; that's just the fact. I would love it if come June we are talking about Adam Eaton as one of the Phillies' most important pitchers, because that can only mean that he is producing in some way. And that would indeed be big.
Posted by bobby | February 13, 2008 11:40 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 11:40
Lohse is not cheaper and he wants a longer term deal...
Posted by Anonymous | February 13, 2008 11:41 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 11:41
Lohse is NOT cheaper, thats one of the reason he hasnt signed yet. Its pretty basic with Eaton, he either pitches better and all is good, or he tanks it again and he gets released. Its one of the two, and I really hope he pitches better and helps this team compete. His numbers say last year was a fluke and that he isnt that bad, not that he is a great pitcher, but he should improve this year, or he's out, plain and simple!!
Posted by clinton, nj | February 13, 2008 11:50 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 11:50
Why are so many people enamored with Kyle Lohse? He's an injury away from being a clone of Eaton. In fact, the majority of starters in MLB fall into that category. After the true stars, its only a matter of how much someone is willing to pay for the average pitcher, and if it's more than your #3 man, than he automatically gets slotted as a #2. Do you remember when you played for the love of the game? These guys forgot too. It's all $$ today.
Posted by bench | February 13, 2008 11:55 AM
Posted on February 13, 2008 11:55
Carrasco and Savery will be extremely lucky to take a big league mound in '09, let alone this year. Also, there is no way Eaton gets released, even if he is as bad as last year...
Posted by Neduol Caz | February 13, 2008 12:12 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 12:12
Love the Simpons reference in the headline...
Up and at them!
Your blog should still be 'Madman Zo's Phillies Cooker' or 'Chairman Zo's Phillies Wok'
Posted by Anonymous | February 13, 2008 1:22 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 13:22
Damaged goods is Damaged goods. Didn't we all learn that with Garcia. Injuries happen, it's the injuries that we dont know about before signing someone. If garcia had been healthy would he have been effective? Probably. But since he was injured and cost 10 mil and stunk up the joint we are all trigger happy. Take a chance on benson, I dont like lohse at all but im not signing the checks. I just want a competitive team to go out and beat those METS again. Getting to the playoffs would be great too but as long as the mets STINK and the braves thats my WS right there. Cause at the end of the day unless you are printing money in Baseball you arent winning the World Series.
Posted by geektothecorenj | February 13, 2008 1:26 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 13:26
I'm going to go ahead ond post this here even though this post is about the Phils. I think Clemens didn't clear himself, but McNamee doesn't look as good as I thought. An important detail is that he used Pettit's and Clemens' names and photos without permission for his own promotion. Therefore he had an interest in providing them with steroids whether they were willing (in Pettit's case) or not (as in Clemens case perhaps). McNamee admits his PhD came from a diploma mill. He admits to many lies to federal officials.
Posted by Anonymous | February 13, 2008 1:59 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 13:59
Ohhhhh living on a prayer awwww living on prayer....
Do the sheeple really think Eaton has "prayer" of being anything other than what he was last year? Seriously?
He is what he is
Denny Green
Posted by Truth | February 13, 2008 2:34 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 14:34
i think the posts on here over the last few months pretty much sum every bodys belief that Eaton is/was a waste of money. but since he is under contract and no one will give you a bag of balls for him, you gotta do something. but i don't think anyone thinks he will be anything special and contend for the cy young.
just curious though, last november when the phils signed eaton, were you chirping like you have been and saying the phils don't spend any money or go after guys? oh thats right, you only say something in hindsight. and when it fits your position.
Posted by timm | February 13, 2008 2:44 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 14:44
I can't speak for anybody else but I have posted in other places that no competent major league pitcher would want to come here as a free agent because of the ballpark and the bullpen. Therefore, the Phillies have to take some chances and hope somebody comes up with a great comeback year.
Posted by SteveMG | February 13, 2008 2:52 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 14:52
I just started posting here timm. I like the blog and am here to tell truth's whether they are conforming to the masses viewpoints or not. I was never a fan of the Eaton signing. Maddux for a little more would have suited me just fine. This team is built to win/we have arms in the farm system. There was no need to throw 24 million over 3 yrs at a career 500 pitcher with a history of injury.
No excuse for that, Gillick.
Posted by Truth | February 13, 2008 2:55 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 14:55
truth, i agree that maddux would have been great. he wanted to go home (cali) and he has the smoltz view of this stadium. unfortunately that will always get in their way of getting a top pitcher. it means they are stuck over paying for the crappy eatons of the world and hoping they do ok. once a guy is a stud pitcher the difference between two teams becomes a little more than just straight up money (don't get me wrong, money still matters). however if you are already a star pitcher you are going to get big money either way, so they then opt to go where they can put up good stats too. unless the stadium changes or the jet stream changes and blows in they are always going to face this issue. that and pray that you can raise stud pitchers thru the farm system (insert laugh track here).
Posted by timm | February 13, 2008 3:24 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 15:24
I agree with you, bench. I don't understand the love affair with Lohse, either. I cringed almost as often when he took the mound as I did with Eaton.
Like everyone has said, Eaton's going nowhere. Let's hope the embarrassment of his performances last season gives him a reason to show what he can really do. AND keep his job.
Posted by Norma | February 13, 2008 7:41 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 19:41
Todd, I LOVE your YouTube videos!!!!
This one isn't only a statement about today, but show's how old really *old* Clemen's is. I haven't ssen a Zest commercial in years!
By the way, case. I'll be in Clearwater at the end of March!
Posted by Norma | February 13, 2008 7:44 PM
Posted on February 13, 2008 19:44
Is that a spot of blood I saw on the back of Clemens' towel?
Posted by frankenslade | February 14, 2008 10:46 AM
Posted on February 14, 2008 10:46