Player Recaps: Bullpen

This article was featured on Phillies Nation under 2009 Player Reviews.

Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson were the main arms in the bullpen, but there were other important arms, such as Scott Eyre, Chan Ho Park, and Brett Myers. Tyler Walker, Sergio Escalona, Antoino Bastardo, Jack Taschner, and Kyle Kendrick also spent time in the big league bullpen.

Collectively, the Phillies bullpen had a 3.91 ERA, which ranked 14th in the majors, and ninth in the National League.

With J.C Romero suspended and injured, Scott Eyre was a key factor in the bullpen, serving as a left-handed specialist. Eyre only pitched 30 innings, but he posted a 1.50 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. It’s unknown if Eyre will return in 2010. Eyre had injury problems, and had surgery in the off season. Eyre, a free agent, also tossed around the idea of retiring.

Chan Ho Park won the fifth starter’s spot in spring training. In seven starts, he posted a 7.29 ERA and lost his starting spot to J.A Happ. Park moved to the bullpen, and was extremely effective, posting a 2.52 ERA. His role as a reliever was undefined. Sometimes we would eat two or three innings; in other situations he acted as a set-up man in close games. Like Eyre, Park is a free agent, and a return is uncertain.

For the second year in a row, Brett Myers was the Opening Day starter. However, Myers missed most of the season due to a hip injury. Myers beat the odds and returned from surgery before the season ended. He struggled at the end of the regular season and in the postseason, but his determination was still there. The Phillies already notified Myers that he will not be a Phillie in 2010.

After a few bullpen injuries, Tyler Walker’s contract was purchased from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Walker pitched well in 35.1 innings with the Phillies. He had a 3.06 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He later earned trust from the skipper in close game situations.

Sergio Escalona had a busy travel schedule. The young lefty shuttled back and forth between the majors and minors. The 24-year old went 1-0 with a 4.61 ERA in 14 games.

Antonio Bastardo tore up the minor leagues before being called up to start. However, he struggled during his time in the majors. He had a 6.46 ERA, then was placed on the disabled list. In need of bullpen help, Bastardo made the NLDS and NLCS roster. Despite only pitching 0.1 innings in the postseason, the decision to add Bastardo to the postseason roster was bold, and showed that the Phillies think highly of him. The 23-year old has a hard fastball, a nasty slider and changeup, and the potential to be a good major league pitcher.

The Phillies needed a lefty, so they shopped Ronny Paulino to the San Francisco Giants for Jack Taschner. Taschner’s stay in Philadelphia wasn’t a pleasant one. He had a 4.91 ERA in 29 innings before getting the boot.

From the beginning of spring training, it was Kyle Kendrick’s goal to show that his sophomore slump was just a fluke. He didn’t win the final spot in the rotation, although he did make a few spot starts. Kendrick spent most of the season in Triple-A, only pitching 26.1 innings in the majors. He had a 3.42 ERA, but he was very inconsistent. Kendrick has another opportunity to redeem himself and win the fifth starter’s job in 2010.

The 2009 bullpen was recognized more for their reality show, “The Pen,” than anything else. The bullpen wasn’t the Phillies strong point like in 2008, however it was about average. They had guys like Park who could get the job done, but they also had guys like Taschner who couldn’t.

Lidge, Ibanez, Eyre To Have Surgery

As seen on Phillies Nation.

Brad Lidge, Scott Eyre and Raul Ibanez will each have surgery next week.
It turns out that Lidge was injured this year, but it’s not his knee. On Wednesday, Lidge will have surgery to repair loose bodies in his elbow. In addition, he will need to have his flexor/pronator tendon examined. If Lidge’s tendon is okay, then he should be ready to pitch when pitchers and catchers report to spring training. However, if his tendon needs to be repaired, then he is doubtful to be ready by the beginning of spring training.

Scott Eyre will have the same surgery as Lidge. Eyre and Raul Ibanez will each go under the knife on Monday. Ibanez will have a sports hernia surgically repaired. Eyre and Ibanez are expected to be ready by spring training. It is still uncertain if Eyre will pitch in 2010.

Phils Pick Up Lee's Option; Other Notes

The season just ended, but the Phillies kicked off the offseason with their first move.

The Phillies picked up Cliff Lee’s $9 million option for the 2010 season. No surprise here. There is still a possibility that Lee will be signed to a long term deal. The Phillies have not made a decision about Pedro Feliz’s $5 million option for next season.

Ruben Amaro has notified Brett Myers that he will not play for the Phillies in 2010. The right hander is officially a free agent.

There will be no coaching changes. Rich Dubee, Milt Thompson, Davy Lopes, Sam Perlozzo and Pete Mackanin will all stay on Charlie Manuel’s coaching staff. Again, no surprise here. This staff has done a phenomenal job.

Eyre is undecided if he will play next year, but will definitely need surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow. Lidge will be getting checked to see if he has the same injury. Ibanez will have an MRI on his groin, but he may also need surgery for a tear in his abdomen.

The Phillies contacted Chan Ho Park's agent about returning next season. Park was terrific out of the bullpen. But does he still have his eyes on starting?

Chooch Comes Up Clutch

Also posted on Phillies Nation.

Hits with runners in scoring position and 1-2-3 saves have not been the Phillies specialty as of late. The Phillies got both in their 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Martin Prado killed the Phillies in a previous series in Atlanta. He continued the beating with a first inning solo home run against Joe Blanton. That was all Blanton allowed in seven innings. He gave up three hits, walked four, and struck out seven.

In the fourth, Chase Utley tied the game with his 29th homer of the season. Over 46% of the Phillies runs have come via long ball.

The Phillies had a golden opportunity in the fifth inning with the bases loaded and nobody out. Blanton didn't follow the "don't swing" policy and lined into a double play. Jimmy Rollins grounded out to end the threat. Luckily, an error and a timely hit put the Phillies ahead.

Raul Ibanez walked and Pedro Feliz successfully laid down a sacrifice bunt. However, Chipper Jones made a throwing error and everybody was safe. Carlos Ruiz's two-run double gave the Phillies the lead.

Ryan Madson has been struggling, giving up three earned runs, seven hits, and a walk in his last four innings. Matt Diaz was drilled and Prado singled to start the eighth inning. Chipper Jones' RBI single drove in a run, making it 3-2 with two on and nobody out. Jayson Werth made a strong throw to the plate, but it was a tad wide for Ruiz to make the tag. Charlie Manuel made the call to the bullpen to escape the jam.

Scott Eyre, who hadn't pitched since August 16, was called upon. Eyre got Brian McCann to ground into the unconventional 4-6-5 double play. Chase Utley made a fantastic pick, and flipped to Rollins. Heads up, Rollins fired to third. Feliz and Prado got into a pickle, which Feliz won. A triple play was almost turned after McCann was a little too far away from the first base bag.

Garrett Anderson grounded out, and Eyre left the mound with a nice first pump. Brad Lidge would do the same. After two quick fly outs, Greg Norton went around on Lidge's nasty slider to end the game.

The Phillies took the rubber match game of the series and extend their divisional lead to eight games. Their magic number decreases to 26.

Rehab Assignments and Stinkage

Raul Ibanez is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance tonight at Double-A Reading. He will play five innings. Ibanez could come off the disabled list this weekend, however Charlie Manuel said he would like to see Ibanez get eight to ten at-bats before returning.

Scott Eyre is also scheduled to pitch an inning at Reading for a rehab assignment. Eyre was supposed to pitch last night with the Gulf Coast Phillies, but the game was rained out.

Ryan Madson has struggled lately. In his last six appearances he is 0-2 with a 9.53 ERA (six earned runs in 5.2 innings). He has also blown three games in that span.

Charlie Manuel said not to worry about Jimmy Rollins. He said his timing was off and that "he'll be OK."

Injury Updates

Scott Eyre has been placed on the 15 day disabled list with a strained right calf. Kyle Kendrick was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Eyre could be out for "quite a while."

Jason Donald will need surgery on his right knee and will miss 3-4 weeks. Lou Marson was also placed on the disabled list. Donald and Marson were both hitting under .235 in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Free At Last, Bastardo, and Other Notes

J.C Romero is back! After his 50 game suspension for violating the drug policy, Romero is back in the Phillies bullpen. After several minor league appearances, Romero will look to get right back into Major League action.

To make room for Romero, left hander Sergio Escolona was sent back down to the minors.

In about a month from today, Manny Ramirez, another violator of the policy, will return from his 50 game suspension.

Another left hander, Scott Eyre, says there is a 90% chance he could retire after the 2009 season.

“My wife is probably ready for me to be home. I’ve been playing for 13 years,
and it’s basically all she’s ever known. We’ll talk about it at the end of the
year, but as of now I would say, yeah, I’ll retire.”

Another southpaw, Antonio Bastardo, dominated last night taking advantage of an early 4-0 lead against Jake Peavy, who left the game after one inning with a respiratory illness. In the Phillies 10-5 win over the San Diego Padres, Bastardo allowed just 1 earned run over 6 innings. He allowed just four hits, struck out five and walked one.

Bastardo's velocity regularly reached 94, harder than was thought to throw. Known for his offspeed pitches, he dominated most of the game with one pitch: his fastball.

On his birthday, Raul Ibanez hit two home runs, the 200th and 201st home runs of his career.

Call of the Day: Jimmy Rollins made a great play to nail Kelly Johnson back in September of 2008.

"Chopped to Rollins.. The play at the plate.. OUT at home
plate! Out at home plate is Kelly Johnson. J-Roll got it into Ruiz in a
hurry, so the runner is now at first base with two outs here in the eighth
inning, on a huge out- here comes Charlie Manuel."

Phils Drop Spring Opener; Other Notes

The Phillies dropped their spring opener to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-2. Raul Ibanez made a good impression to his new team driving in the first run of the game. Jamie Moyer finished where he left off pitching two scoreless innings.

Almost a year after he was benched for arriving late, Jimmy Rollins was late again. Veterans typically drive on their own to spring training games. However, Rollins received the wrong directions. He stopped to ask a cop, who directed him to the Pirates minor league field. Teammates gave him a hard time, but there was no benching for Rollins this time, as he notified Maunel.

The Phillies will give Scott Eyre part of his $2 million salary in advance. Eyre is having financial struggles due to a fraud scheme. Eyre, as well as other Major Leaguers Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady, and Carlos Pena, are unable tow withdraw money from their Standford account to pay bills.

Tomorrow, the Phillies play their spring home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Former Phillie Fabio Castro is expected to pitch against the Phils tomorrow. Highly talented prospect, Carlos Carrasco, is also slated to pitch for the Phillies, as is J.A Happ.

A's Acquire Holliday

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Oakland Athletics acquired Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies.

The A's came out of nowhere for the trade. The Phillies and Cardinals were rumored as trade possibilities for Holliday. Ryan Ludwick was the Cardinals main trade bait. Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, and J.A. Happ were among possibilities of a trade for Holliday for the Phillies.

The package for Holliday includes Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Greg Smith.

Billy Beane, the A's GM has had a reputation of trading away players at the deadline for prospects. Perhaps this year is not the case as he may feel the A's have a chance to contend in 2009. If that isn't the case, then we could see an old stunt by the A's as they could trade Holliday to a contending team for prospects.

Holliday has one year on his contract left, so he will likely become a free agent after the 2009 season unless he is re-signed. With Scott Boras as his agent, it is likely the 2007 MVP runner up will test the free agent market.

Phillies Note: Phillies resign relief pitcher Scott Eyre. Eyre signed a 1 year, $2 million contract. Also, Jimy Williams will not return as bench coach in 2009.

Tough Luck Hamels

The Philadelphia Phillies lost their series to the Flordia Marlins today, despite a great outing by starter Cole Hamels.

Hamels was excellent pitching 6.1 innings allowing just 3 runs, 2 earned. He allowed 7 hits, walked one, and struck out 7.

But his counterpart Chris Volstad was a bit better. He pitched 6 scoreless innings. He walked 4, but only have up 3 hits. His first 4.2 innings were hitless, until pitcher Cole Hamels broke up the no hitter. This is at least the third time Hamels has got the first hit for the Phillies.

The Phillies just couldn't figure out Voldstad's curveball, and the Marlins bullpen helped blank the Phillies. Cole Hamels got no help at all from his teammates. They didn't provide him any run support, and didn't play their best defense. This has been the story for Hamels for quite a while. He should have about 5 more wins, but doesn't do to lack of run support.

This is a perfect example as to why wins are a bad stat. For example, a pitcher could pitch an excellent game allowing just 1 run in a complete game and get the loss. While on the other hand, a pitcher can give up 10 runs in 5 innings and earn the win. Maybe I stressed it a little, but it is just an example of why wins aren't a good stat to use.

In addition, the Phillies acquired left handed relief pitcher Scott Eyre, who was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs. Apparently, Eyre and Cub's manager Lou Pinella did not get along. The Phillies traded minor leaguer Brian Schlitter to the Cubs for the 36 year old, Eyre. Eyre's first 9 innings were scoreless this year, but his ERA is now 7.15 in 11 innings. His career ERA is 4.42.

The Phillies are still atop the NL East, leading by 1.5 games over the Marlins, and 2 games over the Mets, who won today.