» Phillies Bullpen Inconsistency Continues

Phillies Bullpen Inconsistency Continues

With each exhibition game, the Phillies bullpen woes become more apparent and continue to magnify. Starting pitchers may soon run the other way when manager Manuel goes to the bullpen. Worse yet, we might see a return of the 1993 “Schilling towel.”

And as was suggested by AP sports writer Rob Maddi in the Yahoo recap of Monday’s loss to the Pirates, there is more and more talk of Adam Eaton, rather than Jon Lieber, moving to the bullpen if a trade is not made for solid bullpen help.

Inquirer Staff Writer Todd Zolecki writes;

Brett Myers playfully backed away from Charlie Manuel when he tried to take the ball from him in the top of the seventh inning yesterday at Bright House Networks Field.

Myers might turn and run come April 2.

The Phillies’ bullpen has the front office and coaching staff uneasy with two weeks remaining before the season opener against Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park. Phillies relief pitchers in camp have a combined 6.19 ERA, and that form continued in a split-squad 5-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Myers allowed one unearned run in six-plus innings before potential setup man Antonio Alfonseca allowed three runs in the seventh and a rusty Tom Gordon, who pitched for the first time since March 10, allowed a run in the ninth.

Reinforcements aren’t likely, either. Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said yesterday that he didn’t think he would be able to make a trade for bullpen help before the season starts. He said he expected to open the season with six starting pitchers, one of which would move to the bullpen.

“Everybody is looking for the same thing,” Gillick said. “Everybody is looking for the same commodity. Everybody has a bullpen problem; nobody wants to give up a bullpen piece. If they give up a piece, it’s going to create another problem for them. Who has excess?”

If the Phillies open with six starters, righthander Jon Lieber seems the likeliest candidate to move to the bullpen - although there are concerns as to whether he could do the job.

“I don’t know if he can pitch out of the bullpen or not,” Gillick said. “That’s up to Charlie and [pitching coach Rich] Dubee to make that determination.”

Lieber has said he would be willing to move there. Adam Eaton, who must consent to a trade before June 15 because he signed with the Phillies as a free agent, has said he expects to start. The Phillies have kicked around making Myers a closer, but that seems a long shot because he is on schedule to pitch opening day.