Cole Hamels (1-0, 3.32) - 1 yr/$400k (2007)
Trade? - Gillick's an older gentleman, but he's not senile enough to trade his best pitcher, especially when he'll be cheap for a few more years.
Bullpen? - Hamels is still growing as a pitcher; he needs regular work.
Jon Lieber (0-0, 11.57) - 3 yr/$21m (2005-07)
Trade? - Oh God yes. Please. Gillick would love to make Lieber the main player in a deal. His contract is moderate and expiring. Unfortunately, he has been brutal in GarcĂa's absence.
Bullpen? - No one wants a starter that isn't starting.
Adam Eaton (1-1, 6.94) - 3 yr/$24m (2007-09)
Trade? - He just signed to a three-year deal. He's not going anywhere for a bit.
Bullpen? - He seems the most likely candidate. However, the Phillies have more of a history with...
Brett Myers (0-2, 9.39) - 3 yr/$26m (2007-09)
Trade? - See: Hamels, Cole and Eaton, Adam.
Bullpen? - It seems a bit silly, but most of the other options above are less palatable. Also, Brett has been struggling, so it provides some cover for protesting Phillies fans. Finally, he's a hard thrower, which managers like to have in their bullpen for short stints. (Then again, so is Eaton.)
Regardless, I don't see this lasting for long. Eaton's injury-prone and that trade is just around the corner if Gillick has anything to say about it. Moving Myers to the pen tells the other GMs that Gillick won't settle for a bad trade and will be just as happy to keep all six, even if that's not quite true.
Manuel was involved in this decision insomuch as he probably got to talk Myers into it. Hey, that would make anyone irritable. Right, Charlie?







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