Fool's Gold - Friday, August 01, 2008
139 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Michael Bradley

   Unless Brandon Webb somehow sneaks through waivers in the next month, and the Phillies are able to send a few of their minor-league "gems" to Arizona for the all-star pitcher, there isn't going to be any upgrading of the team's staff heading into the stretch drive. Pat Gillick informed us yesterday a deal was almost done for a fourth starter, which would have given the Phillies about seven of those. Too bad they couldn't pull the trigger on that one.

   As the team heads to St. Louis, it does so without Manny, without Brian Fuentes, without Ron Mahay or anyone else, for that matter. What you see is what you get, and while that might be enough to subdue the leaky Mets, it isn't enough to win it all. No way. The Phillies still lack a second starter, one who can throw seven innings in the post-season. As strong as Jamie Moyer has been, it's usually even money whether he can get through the sixth. That's not a slam. It's reality. Brett Myers looked good Tuesday night, for a change. And Kyle Kendrick remains the type of pitcher who would be best-served pitching in playoff long relief or starting the fourth game of a seven-game series.

  So much for Pat Gillick's leaving town with a bang. Instead of loading this team up for a real title run, beginning with the off-season, Gillick added Brad Lidge and little else. Joe Blanton is a band-aid, and an unreliable one at that. Adam Eaton is in the minors. Etc. etc. etc. But, hey, the games are selling out, so everything is great.

   It's no surprise Gillick couldn't get it done. The farm system stinks. (Thanks, Ed Wade.) The ownership group doesn't want to take chances that will cost money. And Gillick was unwilling -- or too uncreative -- to concoct a winning offer in order to make a big slash. So, the Cubs continue to ride high. The Cards and Brewers are making strong wild-card pushes. Manny is in Los Angeles. The argument that getting to the playoffs and then hoping "anything can happen" is getting old. The Phils need to make their luck, and they haven't done it.

   Enjoy the next two months of the pennant race, if the Phillies let you. Just don't expect too much beyond the end of September. After having this team's weaknesses exposed again and again, Gillick did nothing to fix them. Thanks for stopping by, Pat. Enjoy the last two months of your tenure.

   We won't.