Sitting in the dugout yesterday before Adam Eaton's latest stinker, pitching coach Rich Dubee spoke frankly about the right-hander's struggles. "It's almost like he pitches to give up two runs in the first [inning]," Dubee said. "He doesn't use his curveball. He doesn't use his changeup. It's the way he's always pitched. Maybe that worked in San Diego when he threw 94, 95 [mph]. He's not that powerful now."So, I asked Dubee if the Phillies would consider removing their three-year, $24.5 million investment from the rotation if he continues to struggle.
Dubee allowed for the possibility.
And that was before Eaton allowed six runs in three-plus innings of last night's 7-5 loss and hiked his ERA to 6.36, worst in the NL.
Dubee pointed out that the White Sox recently took Jose Contreras out of their rotation, even though he's making $9 million this season and $10 million in each of the next two years. Veteran lefty David Wells recently was designated for assignment by the Padres. So, yes, there's a precedent for teams doing this sort of thing.
But I can't imagine the Phillies moving Eaton to the bullpen. First, and foremost, who are they going to replace him with? J.D. Durbin? One shutout in San Diego last month isn't enough for me to believe he'd be a consistent improvement. Freddy Garcia? It's starting to sound like he'll pitch again this season, but how well? Carlos Carrasco? He's only 20 years old, and by most accounts, not ready to make the leap from double-A Reading.
No, I think the Phillies will stick with Eaton, even if he's giving them almost no chance to win. What do you think the Phillies should do?
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If the season ended today and I had a vote for NL Manager of the Year, I'd cast it for Charlie Manuel. Actually, I voted for that award last year (in the interest of full disclosure, I picked Joe Girardi). This season, I'll be voting for the Cy Young Award. Also within the Sunday notes column, there's word on Tony Graffanino's tough break.
*Within the notebook, Aaron Rowand explains exactly what was wrong with his eye Friday. There's also a mention of a very nice -- and deserving -- tribute to longtime Phillies PR honcho Larry Shenk, a Delaware resident since 1969. I wrote a long feature story about Larry during spring training. When it comes to the Phillies, he's seen it all. And he's graciously fielded requests from reporters like myself for the past 44 years. For that alone, he should win a medal.
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Here's my take on Barry Bonds. What's yours?
5 comments:
can't they just skip him the next two times around. I think they have two off days
Anonymous: Good idea, but they can't skip Eaton entirely without going to a four-man rotation. They could push him back a few days, but I'm not sure what good that would do.
I asked Charlie Manuel about the idea of going to a four-man rotation for a few weeks, and he said that was unlikely because the Phillies want to be careful not to overwork rookie Kyle Kendrick or ace Cole Hamels, who have never pitched a full season in the majors, or 44-year-old Jamie Moyer.
Could Matheison start for the Phils or is a RP? I forget. Why not give Carrasco a try? What have you got lose that Eaton wouldn't?
If Eaton gives you "almost no chance to win," then what is left to discuss? To me, the guy who threw a shutout -- albeit against a bad offense, a struggling team and in a strong pitcher's ballpark -- deserves to take the spot. And I am under no illusion that Durbin can do any better than 3 runs in five innings. Still, that's better than Eaton Alive has been doing. With Condrey having given up just 2 runs in his last 19 innings, I'm not sure Eaton would even be my first choice as mop-up man.
OK, lots of good questions and suggestions here.
First, Mathieson came up as a starter. Before he got hurt, the Phillies were considering using him as a reliever because he has what the scouts call "a power arm." If he pitches for the Phillies this season (and that's a big IF), it likely will be as a reliever simply because it won't take him as long to get his arm trained to pitch one inning as it would to pitch five.
Second, Carrasco probably isn't an option here. He's only 20 years old and has never pitched above double-A. Chances are, he isn't quite ready yet, and the last thing the Phillies want is to rush him to the majors, have him get knocked around and damage his confidence.
It wouldn't surprise me to see the Phillies give Durbin a start Friday night in Pittsburgh. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised to see Eaton either.
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