With JC Romero looking solid in his rehab starts, he is headed back to the Phillies soon. The question that comes up is.. if he goes up, who comes down to the Pigs or R-Phils?
There is only one left handed reliever in the Phillies bullpen and that is Antonio Bastardo. When we saw Bastardo here at CCP he was playing as a starter. Could he be sent down for more grooming to be the eventual replacement for Jamie Moyer or more likely for the struggling Kyle Kendrick?
Kyle Kendrick? Kendrick is 0 – 0 with a 17.47 ERA in 2 games for a combined 5.2 innings. While he’s even in BB/SO ratio at 3 and 3 it’s becoming clear that the National League has written the book on how to hit Kyle Kendrick and every team has checked that book out of the library. Would Kendrick be pushed to the Ironpigs? Possibly. Could he be trade bait? Not sure. It would be unclear what the Phillies need other than a reliable closer and Kendrick wouldn’t be able to clear a one on one trade for a top closer.
Another question pending in the distance is when Brad Lidge returns. What happens to Danny Baez and Nelson Figueroa? Also, Blanton is in the works for rehabbing.. so many questions.
My feelings is that Kendrick won’t make it to the All Star break with the Phillies. He just isn’t performing and he isn’t that rock that the other players depend on. I am 50/50 on whether the Phillies keep him around or put him on the trading block or outright release him/trade for cash, incentives,draft picks,etc..
I also think that as soon as Brad Lidge comes around that Figueroa is gone.
Blanton isn’t the biggest question mark on this list as he will return to his spot in the rotation comfortably. Kendrick will be temporarily relegated back to the bullpen and although Moyer has had some tough moments early this season, he hasn’t been as awful as Kendrick.
So many questions..
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