John's Short Philly Update 12/11/08

Phillies: It’s the offseason and the rumors are flying. The Phillies have been reported to be interested in pitcher Chan Ho Park. He made the career move to a reliever after the beginning of his career was spent as a starter. If Philly brings him in, it isn’t known whether or not he will start or boost the bullpen. Park will be 36 next June. [CSN Philly]

I wouldn’t mind seeing Park as a reliever but there are better options. He would make an ok addition to what we already have, especially to the middle relief. Last year was Park’s first year in his 15 year career where he was primarily used as a reliever. Last season he had a solid 3.40 ERA in 54 games for the Dodgers. His WHIP was a 1.4 though and I do not want to have a guy putting men on base at that rate. Last year he was a great option in the beginning of the season but he wore down as the season went on in the late stages.

As far as starting goes, I want them to strongly pursue Moyer if anything. If we can get Moyer back, that’ll give us four solid starters. If we fail to get Derrick Lowe or AJ Burnett, which aren’t looking too good, Park may be our 5th starter which would just piss me off (and God knows what it would do to Justin). Also as Justin stated, if they make a move for Jason Marquis from Chicago, Ruben Amaro would be an even bigger idiot. He already let Pat Burrell go completely and I think he’s going to screw up the Moyer talks. Paulino was also a crappy move.

Eagles: Kevin Curtis did not practice today and his status is uncertain yet for Monday’s game versus Cleveland (4-9). He left the game with a concussion. He has been very solid in his return since the hernia he suffered in July/August. If he can’t go, DeSean Jackson, Jason Avant, and Hank Baskett will be McNabb’s primary options. Maybe Reggie Brown will get back into the mix as well but he has barely been a thought in Andy Reid’s head all year. Luckily LJ Smith established himself last week versus New York.

The Eagles (7-5-1) playoff hopes are still alive. If the Saints (7-6) beat Atlanta (8-5) on Thursday and the Giants (11-2) beat Dallas (8-5) on Sunday, an Eagles win will propel them into the 6th seed of the NFC. The Eagles must win out because a loss to the Browns would make it damn near impossible and a loss to Washington (7-6) or Dallas in the last two weeks will end all hopes because those teams beat Philly earlier this year.

Keep running Brian Westbrook. It if ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Flyers: The Flyers (14-7-6) are now tied in 2nd with Pittsburgh with 34 points, 6 shy of New York who have played 4 more games. They play the Carolina Hurricanes (13-12-3) tonight at 7pm. In their last 14 games, Philadelphia has gone 10-1-3, including two wins at Carolina and a loss on Black Friday in overtime.

Jeff Carter is playing amazing hockey and is still among the league leaders in goals with 20. He is already on pace to shatter his career high of 29 he had last year. Marty Biron has been very bad, giving up at least 3 goals in his 7th straight start. Antero Nittymaki should be getting the start tonight though since he is 2-0 versus Carolina, only allowing 2 goals.

The team has completely turned it’s game around since John Stevens’ meeting, the benching of Scott Hartnell, and the demotion to the 4th line for Joffrey Lupul.