March 1 -- DAY 15: TALKING TRADE?

An intrepid Associated Press photographer caught Phillies GM Pat Gillick (at right, in photo) chatting with Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi before a game yesterday in Dunedin, which is interesting only because the Phillies played a night game at home against Florida State.

Makes you wonder if Jon Lieber's name came up, doesn't it?

The Phillies, as you know, have six starting pitchers in their rotation. Lieber is the most likely to be traded, and back in December, the Phillies were sure they'd find a market for him. But, so far, they've received no offers that they have deemed fair. The Blue Jays' rotation appears set with Roy Halladay, AJ Burnett, Gustavo Chacin, Tomo Okha and Jon Thomson, and they'd have to pick up Lieber's $7.5 million salary this season. Still, Lieber could probably help their rotation. Then again, Lieber could help a lot of rotations, and the Phillies are counting on somebody wanting him before spring training is over. Otherwise, they'll have to figure out how to work six natural starters into their pitching staff.

That brings me to the reports that Brett Myers has volunteered to be the Phillies' closer. I'm back home for two weeks (I return to Clearwater on March 14), but to me, the scenario presents two problems: 1. Myers has been almost exclusively a starter, even in the minors; 2. The Phillies already have a closer with Tom Gordon. Evidently, Myers told Gillick in December that he'd be willing to close if the Phillies went into the season with a six-pack of starters. And, in the abstract, it may work. Myers has electric stuff that could be dominant in the ninth inning, and he appears to have the makeup for closing. But, right now, it's just a fleeting idea, nothing that has been seriously discussed. The Phillies still intend to trade Lieber at some point this month.