Myers Demoted

by dajafi on Jul 1, 2008 4:21 PM EDT

To Triple-A. He'll start Wednesday night for the Iron Pigs. Very interesting.

Myers had to agree to the assignment, and did so. Pat Gillick offers praise:

"I can't say enough about Brett's willingness to accept this assignment," Phillies GM Pat Gillick said. "He understood and is eager to get back on track again."

No word on how the Phils will reshuffle their rotation, but my guess is that Hamels will start Thursday in Atlanta and J.A. Happ will get called up to face the Mets on Friday.

Fun/painful fact: Myers, a six-year veteran in the majors, is younger than all but three (Blackley, Happ, Swindle) of the pitchers on Lehigh Valley's roster.

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I’ll admit to being slightly puzzled as to why the Phils didn’t send down Myers and call up Happ in one move. I know Gillick & Co. aren’t huge fans of Happ, but the guy really has nothing left to prove in AAA, and Carrasco, Bastardo, etc. aren’t anywhere near ready to be called up. Let’s just hope they don’t screw with Chad Durbin…

by PhillyFriar on Jul 1, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

I read somewhere that Gillick ruled out Durbin, though who knows if he was properly medicated at the time…

Maybe the issue is that they aren’t sure whether they’d prefer Happ to pitch against the Braves or Mets. Or maybe they have a trade percolating (though I doubt that).

by dajafi on Jul 1, 2008 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well they don’t have to decide today do they? they can take their time and think about it.

And in terms of myers to AAA – better late than never?

by jemagee on Jul 1, 2008 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

For all that are interested here is Myer’s pitch f/x data in 2007 and 2008.

2008 – http://baseball.bornbybits.com/2008/Brett_Myers.html

2007 – http://baseball.bornbybits.com/plots/Brett_Myers.html

Main thing that jumps out on first glance is a 3mph loss on the fastball and as a reliever he basically relied on the fastball/curve but as a starter this year he threw what is being classified as a slider alot, especially to righties.

by BrandonB on Jul 1, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions

I’d be more interested in a comparison between 2008 and 2006. It isn’t surprising that he threw harder when he was in the bullpen. You don’t have to pace yourself if you’re pitching in relief.

by taco pal on Jul 2, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Swindle's up!!!

At least for the moment, Myers’ place on the roster has been taken by R.J. Swindle! They apparently wanted another arm in the ‘pen while Condrey’s off on paternity leave, so I imagine he’ll return to Lehigh Valley whenever they call up their replacement starter (assuming it isn’t Durbin). Very happy to hear about this, though. I’m really hoping he gets into a game…..................

http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080702&content_id=3047045&vkey=news_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

by another Mike on Jul 2, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

If they send him back down later, will he have to go through waivers?

by taco pal on Jul 2, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I assume the usual option rules would apply.

by another Mike on Jul 2, 2008 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Myers has his faults both as a baseball player and as a human being, but he deserves a little bit of credit for accepting the demotion. Not everyone would have done it.

by taco pal on Jul 2, 2008 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I was also surprised he didn’t blow a gasket when he was asked if he would accept the designation. I think it indicates that he really is starting to feel terrible about sucking and he really wants to get back on track.

by FuquaManuel on Jul 2, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions