Phillies pitching depth

So the Phil’s have options at third base. How about the rest of their needs? Brad Lidge has already had off season surgery to repair the elbow in his throwing arm. Is that why he led the league in blown saves last season?

I don’t know the real reason why Lidge struggled last season, but it is clear that the Phillies need to figure out what to do if Lidge can’t return to his 2008 form. But in order for Lidge to pitch, the Phillies need to fill some holes in the early bullpen.

Getting J.C. Romero back from injury next season will definitely bolster the bullpen. And Ruben Amaro Jr. has made it clear that the Phillies are pursuing free agents Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre. Having those two return would definitely help.
But with the struggles the bullpen had this season it would be nice if the Phillies could add one or two arms to the pen that have the ability to close should Brad Lidge continue to struggle. Fernando Rodney has drawn interest from the Phillies. Signs say however, that the interest is not mutual. Rodney is a closer and wants to keep that role.

The starting rotation also has at least one question mark. As of now the starters for the 2010 season are as follows:

1. Cliff Lee (the Phillies exercised their option and will most likely talk contract extensions through the year. Lee will most likely demand Burnett money though)
2. Cole Hamels (If he can return to his 2008 post season form, it would be a deadly one-two punch)
3. Joe Blanton
4. J.A. Happ
5. Jamie Moyer? (Moyer has one year left on his contract with the Phillies but might not be able to step back into the starting rotation)

It isn't clear if Pedro Martinez would even re-sign with the Phillies, and if he does, can he pitch an entire season without injury and at a high level? I don’t think so.

It is also unlikely however that the Phillies will trade for Roy Halladay or even go out and sign a big name free agent pitcher (Randy Wolf and John Lackey), to fill that number 5 spot in the rotation.

They will most likely try to stay in house and eventually move Kyle Drabek up to the majors (A prospect the Phillies have labeled “untouchable”).

Whatever the Phillies end up doing, one thing is certain. They need to figure out a solution to the problems that labeled the bullpen a liability in the postseason in 2009.