Moyer, mulling over changes to his AARP member benefits

Last update I cited comments from Rich Dubee saying Kyle Kendrick would have to take the 5th starters job from Moyer.  Moyer is not helping his case after getting lit up in a ‘B’ game. It’s impossible to find meaning in spring training statistics because there are too many bad players in camp or vets working on things. Moyer especially is known to work on things like throwing only cutters or changeups. That said, Moyer has yet to appear in Grapefruit League action while KK has compiled 9 scoreless frames on 4 hits, 0 bb’s, and 2 k’s.  Neither candidate is a very attractive choice for the rotation, but it’s very possible that Kendrick would be the more consistent option.  As long as he limits walks, he could have decent success in the Joel Pineiro/Most-Twins-Pitchers vein.  I still expect Moyer to start the season in the rotation regardless of how both he and KK do this March.  Just don’t be surprised if Moyer has a short leash.

Drew Carpenter’s micro-sample looks tantalizing with 8 IP, 5H, 1BB, 1R, and 9K.  Scouts complain about his across the body motion, suspect control, and mediocre secondary offerings, but I’m reminded a little of another dimmed prospect who our evaluators pretty much gave up on.  I’ve advocated him as a potential #5 pitcher all off season after he succeeded against AAA hitters last season. A team deeper in SP would convert him to the pen now, but I think he’s probably more useful to us if we keep him stretched out.

The Phillies cut a number of players from camp recently.  Most notable are potential 5th OF Quintin Berry, the Cliff Lee trio, and Scott Mathieson.  Berry was never a candidate for a bench spot this spring and the trio all still have plenty of work to do on the farm.  Mathieson is a little more surprising, but it makes perfect sense.  He’s lost a lot of developmental time to injury and has never had great secondary stuff.  He will head back to minor league camp and AAA to work on his control and repertoire.  The Phillies will look to add him to the ML roster when his stuff dictates it.

Finally, on the relief front, Brad Lidge is confident he will make opening day, but J.C. Romero is set to join the club 7-10 days after the start of the season.  That makes the current opening day bullpen Lidge, Ryan Madson, Antonio Bastardo, Danys Baez, Jose Contreras, and Chad Durbin.  The Phillies still have Mike Zagurski, Sergio Escalona, and Rule V pick David Herndon in camp.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Kendrick or Carpenter went north with the team as the temporary mop-up man while Romero recovers.  My guess is they will choose between Escalona and Zagurski so as to carry two lefties. They could also opt to break camp with another bench player, probably John Mayberry Jr. who’s having a fine camp or 34 year old Cody Ransom, who, despite a despicable glove, would actually probably be an improvement to Juan Castro.