Jan. 31 -- RELIEF IN SIGHT?

OK, we know the Phillies need a setup man for their bullpen. And now, after reading his comments today to the San Diego Union-Tribune, we know Padres GM Kevin Towers likes Aaron Rowand (left), and at some point in the offseason, discussed dealing dependable eighth-inning reliever Scott Linebrink for him.

I just don't see it happening.

First, the Phillies don't exactly have a surplus of outfielders. It's Rowand in center, Shane Victorino in right and Pat Burrell in left, with oft-injured Jayson Werth on the bench. That's it. Michael Bourn or Chris Roberson? Neither are ready to be an everyday outfielder in the majors. So, until the Phillies know that Burrell's gimpy right foot can handle nine innings of defense and Werth's surgically repaired wrist is healed, they can't trade an outfielder without getting one back. And they won't know either of those things until spring training.

Also, GM Pat Gillick reiterated Tuesday that he's still in the market for a left-handed hitter, possibly one who plays the outfield. The Phillies are still trying to find a taker for No. 6 starter Jon Lieber, and it's entirely possible a pitching-needy team would part with an outfielder. But Gillick also said he still expects to take six starters to Clearwater in two weeks, an indication that a deal involving Lieber is not yet imminent.

Indications I've gotten are that discussions of a Rowand-Linebrink swap were held several weeks ago -- and went nowhere. But, make no mistake, Linebrink (right) is exactly the kind of reliever the Phillies are looking for. The 30-year-old right-hander has set up for Trevor Hoffman for the past three seasons, appearing in 73 games each year and posting ERAs of 2.14 in 2004, 1.83 in 2005 and 3.57 in 2006. If the Phillies got Linebrink to pitch the eighth inning, Ryan Madson , Geoff Geary and possibly Antonio Alfonseca could be utilized in sixth- and seventh-inning roles, and all of a sudden, the bullpen looks a lot more solid.

As much as Gillick likes Rowand's leadership and heart, he was willing to discuss putting him in the Freddy Garcia trade in December. But he was able to get Garcia without moving Rowand, and thus, he didn't acquire additional outfield help. And now, a Burrell-Victorino-Werth outfield would look like an awful shaky proposition.

"It might be something we discuss again later this spring," Towers told the Union-Tribune about a Linebrink-Rowand swap. "But right now I want to see what we have in spring training. I want to see how [outfielder] Terrmel Sledge plays and how our bullpen shapes up."

I'm certain the Phillies at least want to see the same from Burrell, Werth and their bullpen before they'd even consider moving Rowand.