Last Days - Wednesday, May 28, 2008
384 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   Phils manager Charlie Manuel says he was encouraged by Adam Eaton's last start. Says it was the best the righthander has thrown as a Phillie. When giving up three runs in seven innings is the best a pitcher can do, it's time to start thinking about other pitchers. And don't think the Phillies aren't doing just that. Eaton toes the rubber for the home team tonight, in an attempt to "build" on last time. He had better bring all of his carpentry tools, because it's just about time to give up on this guy, big contract or not.

   Since the Phils have scored 42 runs in the past three games, there is reason to believe Eaton could unfurl one of his usual outings -- say, 5 earned runs in three-and-two-thirds innings pitched -- and still not ruin the night. But as impressive as the recent offensive salvo has been, the team can't count on such production every night. That means Eaton will have to act like a real, live major-league starter, rather than an overpriced hack, in order to stay in the rotation.

   Back in April and earlier this month, the Phillies had no recourse but to keep sending Eaton out every fifth day. Now that Kris Benson is on his way back to big-league shape, thanks to extended rehab and a solid performance in Clearwater Tuesday, Eaton's grace period is almost done. It's also instructive to remember that highly-regarded lefthander Anthony Bastardo has been looking good in AA Reading while pitching in the same rotation spot as Eaton. If Eaton's rotten start (0-3, 5.37 ERA) continues, the Phils could go with either Benson or Bastardo and consign Eaton to long relief.

   Eaton is hardly the lone troublemaker in the Phillies rotation. He's joined by Brett Myers (2-6, 5.79), who is underachieving at an epic rate. Kyle Kendrick was solid in Tuesday's win, but he isn't necessarily ready to be considered reliable, given his 4.84 ERA. And while Jamie Moyer's 5-3 mark is encouraging, he's averaging fewer than six innings per start and could be completely out of gas by August.

   For now, Eaton is the main concern, since he's giving the team nothing, other than a near-miss in Houston last weekend. His Wednesday night start against the Rockies is huge, because if he doesn't continue his progress, the Phillies will be forced to make a move. It could be Benson in a couple weeks. Or Bastardo. But if Eaton can't get it done, it will be time to admit the signing of the righthander was a colossal blunder and move on.

   Either that or keep scoring 20 runs a night.