Phillies Nation

May the best man win! Some people are in Moyer’s camp, some are in KK’s camp- I just want the guy who is going to put us in a position to win every start. This is what makes winning and expectations awesome. If we were some also-ran team (for decades) then the probability is that both would earn rotation spots and hence wouldn’t be as competitive as they are now. But they know they both could be a starter on a WS championship team and are rising to the occassion early on. It only benefits the team and us fans this way!

Agree 100% – best for the team is that Moyer and KK pitch well, make it a very tough decision. If close, Moyer probably gets it out of respect, and I’m good with that. The question I have is what happens to KK if Moyer wins the spot? Short term, they’re probably better off sending him to LV vs adding him to an already righty heavy pen, let him continue starting. Bring him up for spot starts (double headers, periodic breaks for the starters,…). The problem is, that will just keep him in shape, he won’t learn much in LV. Long term, he’s probably better served staying up, watching Doc day in and out, working long relief. A nice problem to have, should be interesting to seehow it is handled.

funny thing is I was typing that last comment before I read yours bfo,

I think you would be doing a disservice to KK…. and his development…..if you ship him to Lehigh Valley. If he’s not the 5th starter then put him in the bullpen. Let him learn from guys like Moyer and Halladay.

At some point he will be ready to assume that 5th spot. It reminds me of last year with Happ. Happ probably should have just gotten the 5th spot from the beginning. Instead he went to the bullpen, pitched well, learned, and was ready when the time came for him to start.

This will all work itself out just fine.

I honestly feel that if they send Kendrick back to the Minors after how much he has been busting his butt lately, it may end up ruining his confidence again. Whoever wins the starter spot, the other should be in the Bullpen on the big club.

I do not think Moyer will concede anything, I am all for competition till the end of ST. I just think all things being equal so you do not mess with kids head, you explain to Jamie that the big picture it would benifit the team for him to go to the pen for the begining of the year. You know there will be times that you will need another stater for Double headers spot starts, and Jamie I think is more prepared for that. Plus for one or two inning out the pen I think Jamie could be very good

Gotta agree with everyone. I want the best man pitching every 5th day. It’s awesome that so far we don’t know they’ve both looked good. Phils may have some issues going into this season though. Assuming that Moyer wins the 5th spot, & Charlie doesn’t want to run a 4 man bench there isn’t a whole ton of room in the pen to place Kendrick.

It may not be an issue for opening day since Romero is doubtful & Lidge is questionable, but the Phils will either have to run with just 1 lefty in the pen or send Kendrick back to the pigs. Of course if Baez or Contreras turn out to be crap he’d be first in line to claim their spot. It does seem like a shame though to send the kid back down after all the work he’s put in.

If Moyer and KK both have fantastic or at least equal springs and you give the nod to Moyer and send KK to the minors what does that do to his psyche? If Moyer out pitches him that is one thing but when he doesn’t lose the job I think you have a very different situation that needs to be handled delicately.

Clearly Roy is a great mentor to KK and with him being around the next couple of years it means KK has the chance to continue to learn from him, even if it means spending the year in the minors and trying again next spring when Moyer has hopefully retired.

Just thought it was worth mentioning.

Man oh man… Halladay is just amazing. His pitches make a different sound hitting the glove; you hear so many people use the term “heavy sinker” and that’s so accurate with Roy.

Moyer hands the ball to Kendrick at some point in June… that’s a pretty likely scenario at this point.

Based on the fact that Kendrick has looked in control of his pitches so far in the Spring . . . and that Moyer is pitching “B games” right now.. I would say that Dubee and Manuel are leaning towards Kendrick . . but the Front Office has to say that Moyer gets a chance

…
Johan Santana is coming back from an injury.. and when healthy is one of the Top 5 pitchers in all of baseball . . I put ZERO stock into his tough outing yesterday, because that wasn’t the pitcher you’ll see when it counts

Why don’t they include Moyer and Kendrick so we have a mega 6 man rotation. Everyone would pitch on the usual 4 days rest except for Cole. That would make sure he has PLENTY of rest between each start.

If this is our problem then we have no problems!
More likely is that someone gets injured. Historically there are few teams with one 5th starter for the whole season.
No doubt in my mind that if Moyer is looking good he will be the 5th starter, even if KK is looking better. Experience and reliability trumps spring training.
I don’t know what is better for KK’s psyche but he better toughen up if he wants to be in the MLB. He will be pitching some games one way or the other.
I saw Carpenter last year at a spot start in Washington. He looked good then but nothing special. I expect he will make it to the MLB but he is a 4/5 starter but may not be good enough for a real contender. For now he is good insurance.

Don M very nicely said, I pretty sure that was my point but you state it much better then I.
The other thing for is that you have to see if KK has what it takes to get through the line ups of Major league teams when the games count, sooner or later you have to find that out, I vote sooner. Now that is just me, but if he can handle it, which personnely I think he can, would it not be better to have him pitch the entire season in the rotation. Moyer can be your insureance spot starter, I am not sure if it would be best for KK to have that roll. And I reallly like Moyer, I mean he went to Souderton, and I went to CB East, and he was only a year or two ahead of me.

ON THE MOUND . . . . Kendrick and Happ both look completely comfortable, no matter the situation, they look under control

OFF THE MOUND . . . . Kendrick looks/looked like a nervous little kid.. the whole trade to Japan things, etc . . . he looked like he wanted to break out into tears, but obviously couldn’t

I’ve knocked him in the past for not having the stuff to effectively pitch for a contending team . . . but spending a year in the minors, being able to add, adapt, and adjust . . has given him more control, and a little fire to prove he belongs.

I honestly think Kendrick has a HUGE year for us this year.. to the point where he’s pushing for serious consideration come playoff time

I agree. But Moyer is pushing real hard to make his case….and backing it up with solid outings. I just think upper management (Ruben) will almost have to let Moyer have the spot if he continues like this….out of respect.

Either way, it’s a pretty good problem to have. Two guys motivated like this. Competition is good.

I really doubt Moyer would be that useful in the bullpen for the entire season. He is very unlikely able to pitch back to back games due to his age. I think Kendrick would provide more options out of the bullpen if he was there.

Best case may be to have Kendrick in the pen until Romero returns then send him to Lehigh as a starter until a spot start or injury occurs.
If Moyer is terrible then he’d either have a accept a bullpen position or retire so Kendrick could get his chance.

That is the point how many times do you need you long reliever to pitch back to back days, He is the guy you can go to when you need 2 or 3 plus innings, so he would not pitch back to back days, and really, how he throws if he comes in and throws to three or four batters and is all done you do not think he can do that again the next day. IMO that would rarely happen.

Looks like Ramirz pitched 3 strong innnings albeit against lesser comp. 3 ks no walks, no runs. Drabek 2 solid innins as well.

Jeff of Nova,

I hope YOU were kidding thinking that I was serious about the 6 man rotation. I thought I made it blatently obvious enough.

Good Day