Patience Is the Phillies Best Option

By Mike Mader

It's not a secret that the Phillies need starting pitching. However, not just any pitcher will do. The Phillies need a top of the rotation type of pitcher. The problem at the moment is that there just isn't one available. In recent weeks, Jake Peavy, Roy Halladay, Eric Bedard, and Chris Young have made trips to the DL. It doesn't make sense for the Indians to trade Cliff Lee if they think they can contend next season. It would make a ton of sense for the Astros to trade Roy Oswalt until you consider that Drayton McLane is their owner and Ed Wade is their GM. So the Astros can't be counted on to make the move that makes sense.

There are some second tier options that would make sense for the Phillies as well, but again there are complications. Brad Penny, who was eminently available from Boston just a few weeks ago, is suddenly more valuable to the Sox with the injury to Daisuke Matsuzaka. Aaron Harang or Bronson Arroyo could be available from the Reds at some point, but Cincinnati is only 3.5 games back in the NL Central right now. A recent hot streak has caused Colorado to think twice about dealing Jason Marquis. Jeremy Guthrie of the Orioles looked good in a recent outing against the Phillies, but Baltimore might want more than he is worth in a trade.

So as you can see, there just isn't a whole lot out there right now. However, a month from now the situation could improve quite a bit. By then, Bedard and Young could be healthy and teams like Cincinnati, Houston, and Cleveland could decide they are sellers. Things look bleak for the Phillies right now. They clearly need another arm or two for the starting rotation. But trading for a guy like Seattle's Jarrod Washburn is not the answer. Someone like that would not be an upgrade on what they have right now. No one is going to run away with the NL East. The Phillies can certainly afford to wait for another month and make a move when the best possible option is available to them. In the meantime, though it can be frustrating for fans, some patience will be required.

By Mark Mader
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