Surgical Procedure

The Phillies are fortunate they played the Nationals on Friday night. Despite sixteen hits, including seven for extra bases (six doubles, one triple), the Phils only managed five runs. Washington could only muster six hits, and fell to the Phils, 5-4. Shane Victorino paced the Phillies with four hits, and Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez, Jayson Werth, Pedro Feliz, and Carlos Ruiz each had a pair of hits. Phils' starter J.A. Happ pitched well, but was removed with one out in the sixth inning, as he had reached ninety-six pitches. Chad Durbin permitted both of the runners he inherited from Happ to score, but the rest of the Phillies' bullpen held the Nats scoreless. Brad Lidge retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, two on strikeouts, in picking up his tenth save. The Phillies (and Happ) had a victory, but the win was overshadowed by the loss the Phillies sustained earlier in the day.

Prior to Friday's game, it was announced that starter Brett Myers would undergo surgery on his injured hip. For all intents and purposes, this ends Myers' season, and perhaps the Phillies' career, of the impending free agent. Myers has been very erratic over the years, but he has been the second-best starter in a weak starting rotation this season, and is a huge loss. Given the considerable difficulties Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer have had retiring opposing batters this season, it is imperative that General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. makes some moves to bolster the rotation.

The internal options at AAA Lehigh Valley don't appear very promising. Kyle Kendrick has already pitched in MLB, with minimal success. Drew Carpenter made one start this season, and did not impress. Rodrigo Lopez is a mediocre journeyman. Twenty-three year old southpaw Antonio Bastardo has pitched well this season, but only has two starts at the AAA level.

The best choice from AAA appears to be twenty-two year old righthander Carlos Carrasco. His 0-6 record, and 5.81 ERA, don't look that impressive. But he has been cursed with a .389 BABIP, and poor offensive "support." Carrasco has struck out fifty-two batters, while walking only thirteen. His FIP is an excellent 3.24. He seems to be the best choice, at least initially, to take the vacant spot in the rotation. But it is apparent that Amaro is going to have to make a trade the bolster the rotation. While the Phillies might be able to ride their offense into the playoffs, they likely won't go much further with J.A. Happ as their second starter.

Ideally, Amaro will be able to acquire two starting pitchers, one for the front of the rotation, and a #3-type. As the season progresses, and teams drop out of the pennant races, more candidates should become available, and the costs to acquire them should decrease. The mid-rotation starter (Doug Davis?) could be a pending free agent, acquired in August, at minimal cost.

The front-of-the-rotation starter is going to be pricey. Hopefully, the Phillies will opt to acquire a starter whom they will control for another full season, or two. With the contracts of Adam Eaton, Jim Thome, Brett Myers, and Geoff Jenkins coming off the books, they should be able to afford a high-priced starting pitcher, and the raises that will be due players on their current roster.

But the Phillies are going to have to be willing to deal some of their top prospects. Carrasco, Lou Marson, Vance Worley, Bastardo, none of their prospects should be considered off-limits, if a top starter can be acquired. This team is built to win now, and it will become increasingly cost-prohibitive to keep the lineup intact over the next few seasons. The Phillies need to strike, before the window of opportunity slams shut. A Roy Halladay (2009:$14.25MM, 2010:$15.75MM), or a Roy Oswalt (2009:$14MM, 2010:$15MM, 2011:$16MM, 2012:$16MM club option, full no-trade close) would be perfect, but will be extremely costly, if they are even available. With the end of the world coming in December of 2012, as per Darren Daulton, Amaro only has to consider that timeframe when reconstructing the roster. Hopefully, Amaro will be able to find some reinforcements, before the Phillies start falling behind in the divisional race.