Aug. 1 -- MAKING A PITCH (w/GILLICK AUDIO)

Of the many things that Pat Gillick said before last night's game in Washington, perhaps the most interesting (and ambiguous) came when he was asked about J.A. Happ.

As you know, the Phillies recalled Happ on Monday night after Adam Eaton accepted a minor-league assignment (his first start didn't go so well, by the way). Happ is a starter by trade, but with Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick in the rotation, he has been relegated to the bullpen. Both Gillick and Charlie Manuel have been outspoken in saying that Happ's future is as a starter and that they aren't wild about the thought of using him in the bullpen.

After failing to acquire a lefty reliever by the non-waiver trade deadline yesterday, Gillick was asked if Happ could fill that role as a second lefty in the bullpen. He wavered on that idea, then said the Phillies would "possibly make an adjustment" to their pitching staff. Asked if that would involve Happ returning to the minors, Gillick said the move would "maybe be an alternative in what we're able to do."

Well, that's vague.

You can listen to Gillick's comments by clicking here: R09_0070.mp3

So, shortly after Gillick talked, I caught up with a trusted source who said the Phillies are confident that Happ can handle a relief role. Their worry is that he's essentially their No. 6 starter and their only insurance policy against an injury in the rotation. If they use him as a reliever, it would take time for him to get stretched out enough to start again in case of an emergency.

If Happ is going to replace anyone in the rotation, it's Myers. I asked if the Phillies would consider moving Myers back to the bullpen, and the source shot down that idea. After all the time and effort the Phillies have invested to refocus Myers on starting, the last thing they want to do is put him back in the bullpen. "At this point I think things would have to come apart for [Myers to move back to the bullpen]," he said.

OK, I have to board a flight to St. Louis, so it's your turn. How would you structure the rotation and the bullpen? If you were Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee, would Myers be a starter or a reliever?

Discuss. More later from St. Louis.