Kendrick Optioned

by dajafi on Mar 23, 2009 1:47 PM EDT

The Phillies today optioned RHP Kyle Kendrick to the minor leagues, where he will likely pitch for the Triple A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. This ends Kendrick's attempt to begin the season as the Phillies' fifth starter, of course. They also optioned C Lou Marson and INF Brad Harman.

It isn't necessarily surprising that Kendrick lost the fifth-starter competition, but the fact that he was shipped out before Carlos Carrasco makes me wonder if Kendrick is not only out of the team's immediate plans, but maybe has fallen as far as eighth on the putative starter depth chart. Whoever wins the Happ/Park duke-a-roo is obviously #5, with the loser very likely relegated to bullpen duty and on call if or when there's a rotation opening. If Carrasco and Kendrick are both in the IronPigs' rotation, though, at some point Carrasco's evidently superior talent pushes him ahead of Kendrick's track record. That point might be now.

Meanwhile, Marson's demotion isn't a surprise, though I also wouldn't have been shocked to see him linger till the last cuts. But at this point I'm guessing Charlie Manuel wants to see as much of Chris Coste and Ronnie Paulino as he can, while choosing between them. Of course, the loser of that competition probably will back up Marson in Allentown, unless there's a trade.

Update: Jason Donald, Dave Borkowski and Jake Woods were optioned this afternoon as well. It seems that with Utley and Feliz both evidently on track to start the season with the Phils, Donald will continue to bide his time in triple-A and serve as a human trade rumor.

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Connect the Dots

I salute your analysis of the situation.

I certainly hope Kendrick can straighten his situation out. But AAA is definitely the place to do this.

People often forget how quickly he was promoted to the majors in 2007. His “timetable” would have put him in Philly this year or next, at best.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Mar 23, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions

The four strikeouts in five innings against the Twins the other day was a bit encouraging, as were his postgame comments about feeling more comfortable with the change—one of the Ks came with that pitch on a full count.

It isn’t exactly the same situation, of course, but maybe Myers (of all people) can give him some helpful guidance about how to approach a minor-league assignment.

by dajafi on Mar 23, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

don't you think

our number 5 should be J A happ anyway…I don’t think there is much question

Marc Gross

by phillyfansportstalk on Mar 23, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Me? Yes, I do think it should be Happ. But for better or worse, it’s not my decision ;)

by dajafi on Mar 23, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

it should be...

but they need another lefty in the bullpen. so, i wouldn’t be surprised if park was the #5 starter.

by awd777 on Mar 23, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

Sure, another lefty might be nice, but I am pretty sure the Phillies proved last season that you only need one, at least for the first 50 games.

by Neduol Caz on Mar 24, 2009 5:42 AM EDT up reply actions

yes...

but we’re missing one of our primary setup lefties in romero for the first 50 days of the season. the only other one is eyre and that’s not enough.

by awd777 on Mar 24, 2009 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

the race

Park: 11.2 IP, 10 H, 1 HR, 0 BB, 11 K, 1.54 ERA
Happ: 20.0 IP, 18 H, 4 HR, 6 BB, 14 K, 3.15 ERA

If this trend keeps up, I think Charlie kind of has to give the five spot to Park, at least to start the season. The team told Park he’d be given a genuine opportunity to compete. What more can he do than what he’s done? Workplace supervisors generally ought to follow through on their commitments to their employees, even if there’s a short-term cost.

Like everyone else, I have my doubts that Park will be able to perform at a high level over the course of an entire season. I also want Happ to be a part of our rotation long-term. But it’s not a bad problem to have a potential sixth starter in your bullpen standing at the ready. If Park starts to struggle, you can always switch them up then. Yes one game can make the difference in a playoff race, but I don’t think there’s a big enough difference in what we can expect to get from either of them on a short-term game-by-game basis for it to be irresponsible to roll the dice with Park.

by taco pal on Mar 24, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions