<![CDATA[branca Blog Posts]]> http://www.philadelphiaphilliesnews.com/branca/weblog/ <![CDATA[So One Down One Not Ready and Two to Tango]]> http://www.philadelphiaphilliesnews.com/branca/weblog/6783/so-one-down-one-not-ready-and-two.html http://www.philadelphiaphilliesnews.com/branca/weblog/6783/so-one-down-one-not-ready-and-two.html Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:31:31 PDT The competition for the Phillies 5th Starter has taken another turn.  With the demotion of Kyle Kendrick to the minor leagues, and the continued growing pains of Carlos Carrasco, the Phillies have turned their attention to Chan Ho Park and JA Happ.  Now, in my opinion this is an easy call.  While Chan Ho has had an impressive spring this isn't simply just about this season.  JA Happ has the makings and tools to be a solid starter in the major leagues for many years to come.  It also makes sense to have Happ the 5th starter because it allows the team to put Park into the bullpen where he was successful last season with the Dodgers.  Alot of points have been made that Happ could be put into the bullpen to be the second lefty until JC Romero comes back and that Park would continue to be solid as a starter.  Both of those things are true, but are you content with having JA Happ pitch in a few games as the SECOND left handed reliever only to pitch even less after Romero comes back?? Look, Park has had a fabulous spring and has been a solid starter in the pros, but you know what you are going to get out of him and none of it is too impressive.  Happ though, has the stuff of a number 2 or 3 starter potentially.  Hes a tall left handed guy who pitches downhill, can get right handed batters out, and has impressive strikeout numbers.  Not to mention Happ has little experience out of the bullpen to begin with.  With Happ at the end of the rotation it gives the phillies their best line of arms and also a few insurance policies that are there if need be.  By putting Park into the bullpen you help strenghten an area that will be hurting while Romero serves his 50 game suspension, and have him in case there is an injury to another starter, or if there is a need to have someone throw in a spot start.  The Phiiles have options though and they seem content to let this race go to the wire. 

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