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Six starting pitchers? Posted by James Benkard at 1/24/2007 6:17:00 PM View more posts by this author

The Phillies head into spring training with six starting pitchers: Brett Myers, Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, Cole Hamels, Jon Lieber and Adam Eaton. GM Pat Gillick has been reportedly trying to deal Lieber, perhaps for help at third base or for prospects, but hasn't been successful. Given that Lieber is on the downside of his career and is owed $7 million in 2007, it will continue to be tough to deal him for a good return. As we have seen clearly this off-season, young players are worth their weight in gold. The Phillies might have to take on another team's high-salaried veteran to move Lieber, or wait until the season starts to see if all six are healthy. Hamels and Eaton have been notoriously injury-prone.

Comments....

Six starting pitchers is an interesting idea. Put yourself in the managers shoes....as stated Eaton and Lieber are injury prone, plus Jaime Moyer is eligible for Social Security soon (although i think he gets the job done-especially in between 2 out of the 3 power pitchers in the rotation they have) so it wouldn't surprise me to see the rotation down to 5 a month into the season, if that long. It makes sense to me in reality, kills you from a fantasy owner perspective if you own any of those 6 pitchers though..... Posted by kevinccp at 1/24/2007 6:59:00 PM

It's especially strange in April, when teams often don't need a fifth starter more than once or twice between travel days and rainouts. Posted by Erickson at 1/24/2007 7:11:00 PM

Eaton said he would be a "good soldier" and pitch from the bullpen....$8 million arm to make spot starts and long relief appearances as needed. Posted by dvr9484 at 1/25/2007 12:08:00 PM

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