Transaction Action (7/25)

The Roy Halladay Watch continues, as the Phillies (reportedly) turned down the Blue Jays' offer of Halladay for Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ, and Dominic Brown. The Phillies, reportedly, countered by offering a combination of players, including Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, and Lou Marson. The Phillies seem to be averse to dealing Drabek and Brown, as they should be.

RHP Clay Condrey was placed on the 15-Day DL, as his left oblique issues have returned. RHP Steven Register was recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA).
Condrey would likely be available only every third game, if he stayed on the roster, and pitched through the pain. Is it better to have Condrey available every third game, or Register available every other game? Probably the former, but the Phils have to get Condrey in Every-Day Clay condition for the playoff/postseason run.
Register has a 2.88 ERA, in 25 AAA innings. In his last ten appearances for the FeHogs, he has only allowed one run (charged to his own record), in thirteen innings. But he's been supported by a .288 BABIP, and a LOB% of 83.3. His FIP is an unsightly 4.16. Register is a minor league journeyman, and is not a viable long-term option. (Not exactly a viable short-term option, either.

RHP Andrew Carpenter was optioned to Lehigh Valley. RHP Kyle Kendrick was recalled from Lehigh Valley. Carpenter has been a starter all season, and threw a combined thirty-seven pitches, in appearing in consecutive games. He would, likely, have been unavailable to pitch on Saturday and Sunday. The Phillies needed an available arm, with Rodrigo Lopez and Jamie Moyer getting the weekend starts, so Kendrick replaced Carpenter.
The Phillies should try to use this "opportunity" to see if Kendrick (and his change-up) are MLB-ready. He might not be a fit for the Phils' rotation, but he could gain some trade value, if he can start to get some MLB hitters out.

Will Gary Majewski ever be recalled from AAA?
When he starts outpitching mediocre journeymen, like Stephen Register. In his last ten AAA appearances, Majewski has pitched twelve and one-third innings. He has surrendered fifteen hits, seven walks (nine strikeouts), and six earned runs. Not impressive.

Why wasn't Cedrick Bowers recalled from AAA, rather than Register? Bowers would have been my choice, over Register. He hasn't pitched since July 22, so he would have been available on Saturday and Sunday. He has struggled a bit in his last three appearances, allowing five hits, four runs, and three walks (two strikeouts) in three and two-thirds innings. Bowers also has a 1.99 ERA/3.55 FIP, though he has been helped by a low .260 BABIP/82.8 LOB%.

The current combination of Phillies' bullpenners is not very impressive. Chan Ho Park and Ryan Madson might be the only trusted members of the current bullpen crew. Scott Eyre is best-suited for a LOOGY role, and closer Brad Lidge has struggled for much of the season. Tyler Walker, Steven Register, and Kyle Kendrick? Yikes. At least there are plenty of options for low leverage situations, though Manager Charlie Manuel uses Madson in that role a bit too frequently.
On the plus side, it's only late July, and all of the top relievers are expected to return in a few weeks. Injured starter Brett Myers could also return as a reliever, late in the regular season. The Phils need their starters to eat some serious innings, over the next couple of weeks.

Is the MLB Network's "The Pen" to blame for the vast number of injuries to Phillies' relievers this season? Probably not. But it might be prudent to allow the Mets to star in MLBN's 2010 production of "The Infield."

RHP Alex Concepcion was promoted to Lehigh Valley, to fill one of the recently-created bullpen openings. Concepcion had a 3.16 ERA, and a .96 WHIP, in 62.2 AA innings for Reading. He also had a .239 BABIP, and a 4.43 FIP. He's been more lucky, than good.
Chance Chapman has had a 3.29 ERA, and a 3.31 FIP, in 27.1 AA innings. He would also have been a good choice for the promotion to AAA.

RHP Tristan Crawford was promoted to Reading (AA), to replace Concepcion. Crawford joined the Phillies organization on July 22nd, the northpaw's 27th birthday, and only spen two days with Clearwater (A). He is a bit old for the A/AA level. Crawford was sold to the Phillies by the Grand Prairie AirHogs (Independent Leagues). In 2008, he pitched at AA for Washington, posting a 5.40 ERA, in 35 innings. However, he was plagued by a .392 BABIP, and posted a 3.40 FIP. Definitely worth giving a chance in the minors.

Pedro Martinez will start for the Clearwater Threshers (A), in his first rehab start as a member of the Phillies. Martinez faces the St. Lucie Mets, in a 4:05pm start. Tune in!