May 22 -- EXPENSIVE WIN FOR MYERS?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

NEW YORK -- Big win last night for Brett Myers.

It was big, of course, because it gave the Phillies a victory in the opener of a three-game series against the Yankees, who had won nine straight. And with lefties Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia starting the next two games, that's important for the Phillies' lefty-leaning lineup. But it was also big because of how Myers pitched (three solo homers, no walks in eight innings) and the pitcher that he defeated.

Allow me to explain: Myers is a free agent after the season, and you have to think he's going to cash in. Why? He's a durable right-hander with electric stuff and a track record for staying healthy. When agents negotiate contracts, they often look to "comparables," players against whom their clients stack up favorably. And one of the more sensible comparables to Myers is Yankees starter A.J. Burnett, who gave up three homers last night and took the loss. Burnett is 32. Myers will be 29 in August. Burnett is 89-78 with a 3.87 ERA in parts of 11 major-league seasons. Myers is 73-62 with a 4.37 ERA in parts of eight major-league seasons. Burnett has logged 200-plus innings in three seasons, including last year with the Blue Jays. Myers has logged 198-plus innings twice and would've topped that mark last year if he hadn't spent three weeks in the minors. Burnett throws harder than Myers, but he also walks more batters. And assuming Brandon Webb, Josh Beckett and Cliff Lee have their 2010 options picked up, Myers will be among the better pitchers on the free-agent market, in the second tier behind John Lackey, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard.

You get my drift. And Burnett signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Yankees last winter.

Makes you wonder what Myers will make, with the Phillies or elsewhere, doesn't it?

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Back in a bit from the new Stadium with lineups and other goodies.