The Good, the Bad and the Pedro

As you are all aware of, the Phillies defeated the Reds last night 9-6 to take 3 of 4 from Cincinnati and increase their record to 6-1 on this homestand. Here I'd like to touch on the good and the bad of last night's outing … and all those pesky Pedro rumors.



The good: The Phillies offense. After exploding for 22 runs on Monday, the Phillies' offense went quiet Tuesday and Wednesday, combining for just three runs in each of those two games. But last night, the offense got back on track, roughing up Micah Owings and company for nine runs on 12 hits. Every starting position player either scored a run or drove one in, and every starter got a hit except for Greg Dobbs (and Jamie Moyer). On top of that, every starter scored at least one run except Shane Victorino (and Jamie Moyer).

Hell, even Paul Bako scored a run and had an RBI. That's what you call a nice night at the dish.

The bad: Jamie Moyer.



Following up a brilliant outing on the 4th of July, Moyer was back to his bad self, and not in a good way. The old man got pounded for 8 hits and 6 earned runs, including two homers, in just 5 innings, raising his ERA back up to just a shade under 6.00 (5.99). That's not good. Yet, thanks to the offense, he was still able to pick up his team-leading 8th win.

The fact that Jamie Moyer won 16 games last season and leads the team again this season is just mind-boggling. The guy certainly knows how to pitch, but he just doesn't really have it this year. And when he isn't hitting spots (i.e., most of this year), he cannot be effective. Yet again, the Phils find a way to win when he takes the mound. Can someone please explain this to me? Anyone?

Finally, we get to the man of the night, Pedro Martinez. Reports from some Spanish-speaking publications have Pedro going to the Phillies, so far as to saying a deal is on the table. Others say no deal is in place. One thing is for sure: There is interest from both parties in joining forces.



This much we do know: Pedro may or may not become a Philadelphia Phillie. That's journalism, my friends.

Here's my take on the potential signing of Pedro Martinez — I'm OK with it as long as this isn't the only move the Phillies plan on making with their rotation. Yes, it's true that Pedro was awful last season in his limited duty, going 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA. And his last truly good season was 2005, when he went 15-8 with a 2.82 ERA, 0.949 WHIP, 208 strikeouts against just 47 walks in 217 innings over 31 games. In 2006 he was mediocre, going 9-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 23 starts.

2007 did see Pedro go 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA, but that was in just 28 innings over five games, and last season was a disaster. He was injured throughout, had nothing on his fastball and did not resemble the Pedro Martinez of Cy Young years whatsoever. But reports are that his fastball is back up in the 90 to 93 range and that he looks good. For half a season, maybe he could help the Phils and give them a little push. Plus, you know the guy would be entertaining.



So really, I'm OK with the Phillies signing him. I really am. But not if this is their answer to the starting pitching problem. As Charlie Manuel said, he's looking for a horse, a guy who can go 7, 8, 9 innings. Not an old, washed-up former Cy Young winner who will be more like Moyer (5, 6 innings) than Roy Halladay.

The Phillies need a front-of-the-rotation arm to team with Hamels. A "37" year old Pedro is not that. Ruben and company still should be doing everything in their power to get Halladay, or someone capable of being that horse to ride alongside Cole. Pedro can't be considered the missing piece. Not by a longshot.

Feel free to bring him into the fold. A former Cy Young winner can't hurt. But don't expect him to be the Pedro Martinez that's headed to the Hall of Fame, and don't settle for just him, because this isn't 1999 or 2000, Rubes.