CHICAGO -- On paper, it's a landslide. The Braves were the big trade-deadline winners, acquiring slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira and late-inning reliever Octavio Dotel. They also got lefties Ron Mahay and Royce Ring to bolster their bullpen.Clearly, the Braves are better today than they were 48 hours ago.
But what about the Phillies? Give Pat Gillick and Co. credit for acting swiftly last week after Chase Utley broke his hand and acquiring Tadahito Iguchi. Kudos, too, for trying to improve their rotation with Kyle Lohse, an experienced starter whose ERA for the Reds was lower than Jamie Moyer's, J.D. Durbin's and certainly Adam Eaton's for the Phillies. Julio Mateo? Well, Gillick called the troubled reliever "an inventory guy," which is GM-speak for "don't count on him helping the team any time soon." But Gillick believes the Phillies improved their bullpen within the past two weeks simply by getting Tom Gordon and Brett Myers back from shoulder injuries. Myers looks like his old self after snapping off four nasty curveballs to Mark DeRosa on Monday night. We'll reserve judgment about Gordon, who, in his own estimation, isn't back to 100 percent yet.
The Mets got speedy second baseman Luis Castillo, who should form a dynamic top of the order with blazing fast Jose Reyes. But they didn't improve their pitching, and there are no guarantees Pedro Martinez will be effective when he returns, possibly later this month.
So, what do you think? How will the NL East shape up for the rest of the season?
*OK, let me get this straight: Lohse will replace Durbin in the rotation, but who is replacing Eaton and his 5.87 ERA? At this point, nobody, according to Charlie Manuel. But if Eaton, The $24.5 Million Man, doesn't pitch better, it's hard to imagine the Phillies keeping pace with the Braves or Mets.
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Within this notebook, there's details of Mateo's legal woes, Durbin's reaction to the Lohse deal and more, including an update on Scott Mathieson's progress. Mathieson, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery last September, may be able to help the Phillies late in the season.
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Celebrity sightings at Wrigley: Fred Savage threw out the ceremonial first pitch Monday night (when I was a kid, I loved the "Wonder Years"), and Barry Williams (a.k.a., Greg Brady) sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" last night. Tip of the cap to Rob for knowing Greg Brady's real name.
4 comments:
thanks for the update on Scott. i was wondering how his rehab was going. he has a real shot to be next years closer.
Is it just me, or has there been a pattern of Adam Eaton struggling through the opening frames, cruising right on through the middle ones, then leaving after a sloppy final inning? Why not move HIM to the bullpen, and let him warm up for an inning or two, then bring him in when, theoretically, he pitches his best? I'm guessing that ridiculously fat contract he signed has something to do with it. I just don't think you should banish Durbin after his last few starts when Eaton's clearly the most underwhelming of the group.
Gillick and Manuel refer to their new players as "inventory." Why would anyone in their right mind feel like they were wanted if that's their attitude? Do these guys have any sense at all?
Rob: Great observation and good question about Eaton. I actually asked about that in spring training when the Phillies had six starters. At that time, I was told that it takes about an inning or two for Eaton's velocity to peak. So, if the Phils used him as a one-inning reliever, he wouldn't be at his best.
Andy: I don't think the use of the word "inventory" is demeaning, and it's certainly not meant that way. Players realize this is a business. I don't think anyone on this team is insulted, and if they are, they can look at their paychecks every two weeks and feel warm and fuzzy again.
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