Dec. 6 -- RULE 5 RESULTS

NASHVILLE -- Who said the Phillies couldn't find pitching at the winter meetings?

As expected, the Phils made a few picks in this morning's Rule 5 draft. And they believe one of them, left-hander Travis Blackley, could have an impact on their starting rotation in 2008.

Blackley, a 25-year-old from Australia, went 10-8 with a 4.66 ERA last season for triple-A Fresno in the Giants' farm system. On Sept. 23, he won his first major-league start since July 31, 2004, allowing two runs in five innings against the Reds. Back in 2004, when he was with the Mariners' organization, Baseball America ranked him as the 63rd-best prospect in all of baseball.

So, why was he available in the Rule 5 draft?

Well, Blackley missed the 2005 season and was unable to pitch for Australia in the World Baseball Classic in 2006 after having left shoulder surgery. Many scouts say his velocity has dipped (the Phillies say his fastball ranges from 88 to 91 mph), which may have prompted his inclusion in an April trade to the Giants for outfielder Jason Ellison. But the Phillies believe he'll have success if he continues to exhibit good command.

Oh, and a quick Internet search shows he's married to model Arynne Tiller, who has done some work for Playboy.

"We feel like he's a guy that's got a chance to compete for that fifth starter job," assistant GM Mike Arbuckle said. "We think he's still on the upswing from [the surgery]. He continues to get a little better. He's a command-type left-hander. Average fastball. Pretty good changeup. Pretty good breaking ball. Good feel for pitching. He's definitely a guy that's going to have a chance to compete for a job on the club. If he doesn't end up as a fifth starter, his stuff would allow him to pitch out of the middle [of the bullpen]."

The Phillies also picked right-hander Lincoln Holdzcom, a 25-year-old who went 5-1 with a 2.97 ERA in 42 games last season between triple-A Pawtucket and double-A Portland. In the minor-league portion of the Rule 5 draft, they selected 25-year-old third baseman Patrick Sellers from the Astros and 27-year-old second baseman Luke Appert from the Athletics.

Time to take a few final spins through the lobby before writing and catching a flight. I'll try to have something for you later this afternoon before I leave.

*
Also, a word about the Erik Bedard for Kyle Kendrick and Shane Victorino trade rumor that has been reported elsewhere: Not going to happen. Absolutely not. No chance. I repeat: Forget it. The Phils haven't even discussed Bedard at the winter meetings. Not since they were told by the Orioles that they don't have a package of prospects that would be good enough. One Phillies person told me yesterday that trading for Bedard or Dan Haren would "clean out our farm system." And, even then, the Phils don't think they'd have enough.