PCP Sports

Moyer helped in 08, but could be mistake in 2009.

By Mike Gill

Let me start by saying I like Jamie Moyer and I appreciate the job he did for the Phillies during the World Series run. 

Moyer pitched a huge game on three-days rest that was a spring-board to the Phillies sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers.  That was the series that many people think about when you reflect back on the Phillies run into the NL playoff race.

On the flip side, Moyer is 46 years old.

I know he won 16 games and had an awesome ERA of just 3.71, but keep in mind, there was a time that many Phillies fans would have rather seen Adam Eaton toe the rubber in the playoffs rather then Moyer.  Think about it, can the Phillies really afford to meet Moyer’s contract demands of two-years and $20-million dollars.  What if you decide to go ahead and keep Moyer at $10-million per season and all the sudden he looks like a 47-year old pitcher mid-way through and you can’t add a quality arm because you decided to give a 46-year old pitcher $10-million bucks? 

Keeping Moyer would be the popular thing to do, he is from the Philly area and had a tremendous season.  It would be a great story to have Moyer retire as a Phillie and have him become the pitching coach once he decides to hang them up.  But sometime the elite franchises have to make tough decsions and many times the tough decisions have to be unpopular,  just ask the New England Patriots.  The Pats have unloaded many long-time, popular players and brought in young, fresh talent to continue a winning atmosphere.  The Phillies need to resist the temptation to be a good story and either allow JA Happ to take over Moyers turn in the rotation or make a bold move and bring in a proven arm to compensate for losing  16 wins and 196 innings pitched.

Garland has similar numbers to Moyer and is younger.

If Moyer wants $10-million per season, her are some guys who might be just a few million more, but worth it in the end:

• Derek Lowe (36) – Type A, offered arb
• Ben Sheets (30) – Type A, offered arb
• Jon Garland (29) – Type B, offered arb

Lowe reportedly has an offer on the table from the Phillies and would be a great fit in Citizens Bank Park.  Sheets has some injury history and seems to break down at the worst time of year (i.e. September), but he is a quality top-of-the-rotation starter who could help get you a bigger lead in the division earlier instead of playing from behind or having to play until the final weekend of the season.  Garland is the youngest of these guys and would probably be the cheapest.  He won 14 games and threw 196 innings for the Angles – very comparable numbers to Moyer. 

My pick is Garland.  He is just 29, cheapest and gives you the most value.

I will say it again, I like Moyer and think he can still pitch, but why take the chance.  The Phillies have always brought back players and have been loyal.  They won the World Series by stepping out of their mold for once.  When they brought in Pat Gillick, they changed the landscape and so far it looks like Ruben Amaro is going to follow suit. 

Sometimes the popular pick isnt the right pick.  In Philadelphia, Moyer would be the people’s choice, in this circumstance, Garland, Lowe or Sheets would be the smarter decision.