"I don't know... We'll see when we get there. We've got plenty of time. [Next] Saturday's a long way off. ****, I might be dead by then,"

Charlie Manuel regarding Adam Eaton's status as the team's fifth starter.

Even though spring training has come to a close, this is still a big weekend for the Phillies when it pertains to their roster.  The Phillies have until Sunday at 3:00 to make final cuts, but as it stands now, the Phils have 10 pitchers and seven bench players.  Pat Gillick & Co. will be following the waiver wire closely looking to add an additional relief pitcher.

Then there's Wes Helms.  They've tried to deal him, and have been unsuccessful.  They couldn't even get a leftover like Steve Kline for him.  That's when you realize what little value Helms really has.

Let's not forget about Chris Snelling.  He hasn't shown much this spring, but he's been getting a lot of play recently.  Will he make the team, and the Phils start with an 11-man pitching staff, or will he join Helms on the scrap heap, so the Phils have an extra reliever if they need him?

The questions will be answered in the next 72-hours.  My call is Helms will be release on Sunday ifhe cannot be traded.  The Phillies will pick up a reliever off waivers (probably Rudy Seanez), and Snelling will stay with the team until Brad Lidge comes off the disabled list.

I'm rarely right with these things, but we shall see...

This has been a long time coming, and frankly I'm a bit relieved.  Given the recent cuts (Travis Blackley, Vic Darrensbourg, Gary Knott), it appeared that Durbin actually might break camp with the Phillies.

Odds are Durbin will clear waivers and begin the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but what does this pose for the bullpen?  With Durbin out and Lidge on the disabled list the Phillies have ten pitchers on their roster.  At minimum, the pitching staff will eleven to start the year, so expect an acquisition in the next day of two.

At least yet...

Yesterday, a new deal was struck for Benson, giving both Benson and the Phillies another time-line to make it back to the big leagues. His new out-clauses are as follows:

• If by May 15th Benson pitches at least 10 minor league innings and still isn't on the 40-man roster.
• If Benson hasn't been added to the roster by June 1st.

Benson has said himself he's 5-6 weeks away from being able to join the Phillies, so both out-clauses seem realistic. These new deadlines were added due to his "setback" from bicep tendonitis.

Regarding his "setback", while the news wasn't good, it might not be the worst thing in the world. Because the Phillies are so pitching starved, the media and fans watched every move Benson made. When you’re coming back from a major surgery, such as a rotator cuff, being under the microscope doesn't make the rehabilitation process any easier. Now that the season is about to start, Benson can get ready for the season without everyone paying attention to every outing.

I'm a big believer in depth, and one thing I really like about this Phillies team is the depth they have on the bench. While the pitching staff still leaves something to be desired, a healthy Benson will be able to give the Phillies rotation, and pitching staff another arm they can turn to during the long summer stretch.

Maybe I'm an optimist, apologist, or what have you, but I still expect Benson to join the Phillies sometime in mid-May.

This trade would make sense.  The Giants need a third baseman and the Phillies need a left-handed reliever.  While Kline isn't a great bullpen arm, he's a sinkerball pitcher, who could be effective at Citizens Bank Park.

Mike Stanton has also been rumored, but the Reds have Edwin Encarnicion at third base and Ryan Freel can back him up.  There's really no room for Wes in Cincinnati.

The Phillies pitching staff is far from set.  Look for more developments in the next couple days.

Phillies fans should remember Fultz from his prior stint in Philadelphia.  In Fultz's two years with the Phillies he went 7-1 with a 3.36 ERA.  This was in 128 appearances.

While Fultz had a good year in Cleveland last year (4-3, 2.92), he struggled upon his return from a strained rib cage.  He faired no better this spring posting an ERA over 11.00, before the Indians released him.

While Fultz isn't an over-the-top reliever, he's serviceable and is better then The Real Deal, or Clay Condrey.  Gillick has said the Phillies aren't interested, but he also said they had no interest in Pedro Feliz, and Brett Myers would be the closer.  Unlike guys like Hank Steinbrenner, Gillick doesn't show his hand.

In all fairness, Blackley was given plenty of opportunity to claim a spot on the Phillies pitching staff (he even was considered to be the #5 starters), and he floundered.  He showed some glimpses of some dominating breaking pitches, but was unable to control them.  In his final appearance, one of his breaking pitches broke too much, and broke the hand of Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson.

There's still a chance Blackley will stick with the Phillies.  In Randy Miller's blog, he breaks down the process:

If the player clears outright waivers, he then is given a contemplated outright to both the Lehigh Valley and Fresno Triple A clubs. This form gives the player two choices:

1) Accept the assignoment
2) Reject the assignment and become a free agent.

The player must choose for both organizations what he wants to do. (If he chooses to become a free agent then he relinquishes any salary he might have had if he were assigned to the minors).

Once the player has chosen, then he is offered back to the original club. That club has 24 hours to decide whether or not to take the player back. (The risk for that club is that the player (without their knowledge) may have chosen free agency and thus that club would have to pay $25,000 back to the drafting club and could still lose the player to free agency).

Once the club decides whether or not to accept him back, then everyone will know where the player will end up.

While complicated, Blackley may very well start the season as Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

As the roster stands, there's only one left-handed pitcher in the bullpen (JC Romero), and The Real Deal, could very well go to Philadphia (given the fact Brad Lidgeis on the disabled list).  This tells me that Pat Gillick has something in the works.  Whether it be via trade (Steve Kline, Royce Ring), or recent cut (Aaron Fultz), I have to believe Gillick has something up his sleeve.

Any major league roster...

Well Durbin is proving to the world this spring that he's better suited for an automotive career rather then a professional pitcher, and after his latest mess on the mound might have finally pitched his way out of the red pinstripes.

Durbin entered last night's game against the Yankees in the fifth inning.  The game was tied 3-3.  When the Phillies went to bat in the top of the sixth, the game was 9-3.  In his one inning, Durbin allowed six runs on six hits an a walk.  He struggled with location, and pitches that were over the plate, were right over the plate.  Ask Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera, who both took Durbin deep.

Durbin has said publicly he doesn't possess the mental tool that a guy like Brett Myers has, but can focus enough to be a contributing pitcher.

I beg to differ...

Here's Durbin's spring line (in six appearances):

0-4, 12.33ERA, , 8 HR's allowing (in 15.1 IP), 2.09 WHIP

After looking at that, Adam Eaton doesn't sound all that bad.

It looks like it's the end of the road for Durbin, and today might be his day of reckoning.  Kris Benson can opt out of his contract if he's not placed on the 40-man roster by days end, and there's no room for him right now.  There will be if Durbin is designated for assignment.

Nice knowing you JD...

Although it's a bummer that Lidge will not be available for Opening Day, starting the season on the disabled list isn't a bad thing.  Lidge isn't going on the DL due to knee pain.  His knee is pain free, so the surgery was successful.  Lidge just needs a little more time to build arm strength and to sharpen his slider.  Him joining the team in Cincinnati is a realistic option.

It also gives Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee a little more time to sort out the final spots for the bullpen.  Given what is available, the Phillies will now probably go with the 11-man pitching staff, meaning Chris Snelling will make the team as a 25th man.  Clay Condrey and Travis Blackley should start the season in Philadelphia, barring a player isn't brought in from another organization.

Tom Gordon will begin the season as the closer with Ryan Madson and JC Romero setting him up.

AL East

1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox*
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

The Red Sox are the obvious favorites, but Josh Beckett's back is balky, and losing Curt Schilling will hurt.  Given the fact it's the Yankees last season at Yankee Stadium, I predict some magic.

AL Central

1. Detroit Tigers
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins

Despite their bullpen woes, Detroit's lineup is too good to keep them from winning the central.

AL West

1. Seattle Mariners
2. Los Angeles Angels
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland Athletics

I might be one of the 5 people in the country who's not picking the Angels, but I like the Mariners team.  Richie Sexson should rebound for his terrible season last year, and Erik Bedard might be the best pitcher in the American League.

AL Champion:  Detroit Tigers

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Mets*
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

Call me a homer for picking the Phillies, but that's not why I picked them.  The Phillies have less questions then the Mets.  Aging players, and the Pedro factor hurt their chances.

NL Central

1. Chicago Cubs
2. Cincinnati Reds
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. Houston Astros
5. Pittsburgh Pirates
6. St. Louis Cardinals

The Cubs are the obvious favorite, and the only surprise here should be the Reds. I think they have a good young team, that Dusty Baker will get to perform.  The Brewers are slightly overrated in my opinion.  They still live and die by Ben Sheet who hasn't had a healthy season ever...

NL West

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
3. Colorado Rockies
4. San Diego Padres
5. San Francisco Giants

Every team outside the Giants has a shot to win this division.  All teams have strong pitching, but talent-wise I give the edge to Arizona.  The Wild Card should come out of the west given all the talent, but they also will be playing each other all season, which will balance out their records.

NL Champion:  Philadelphia Phillies

Okay, maybe now I'm being a homer, but the pitching is improved over last season, and while Aaron Rowand will be missed, Geoff Jenkins and Pedro Feliz will make out of his production.

2008 World Series Champion:  Detroit Tigers

See I'm not a complete homer.

Despite his 5.91 ERA this spring, Rosario was one of the favorites to land to the final (or two) spots in the bullpen.  He allowed 7 earned runs in 4 appearances, but 6 were in a start on March 14th, the last time he took the mound.

Rosario’s trip to the DL opens the door for Clay Condrey.  Condrey is a pitcher who’s never impressed me, but hasn’t had a terrible spring.

Assuming the Phillies carry twelve pitchers, Condrey’s competition is limited.  Travis Blackley, JD Durbin, and Vic Darrenbourg would be his primary competition.  Given that Blackley and Darrensbourg are both left-handed pitchers, that would only factor in if the Phillies take the eleven man staff.  If you had to choose between Condrey and Durbin, it’s a no brainer, Condrey gets the nod.  I’m suprised Durbin is still on the roster.

The left-handed side is tricky.  I figured it was Blackley’s.  He’s a Rule 5 pick, so if he doesn’t make the team they lose him (unless the Giants don’t want him back).  Blackley has shown some great breaking pitches, but also shown that he’s unable to control them.  In yesterday’s rain shorted action, Blackley faced two hitters.  He hit one (Curtis Granderson, who was sent for x-rays), and walked the other.

At 37 Darrensbourg has plenty of experience.  A long shot to make the team (he hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2005), he’s had a strong spring posting a 2.57 ERA in seven innings.  But given his career numbers (8-17 4.96), what he’s doing in spring probably won’t be what we see this season.

It’s a tough call and this week is when the decisions will be made.  Once the Chris Snelling/Wes Helms situation is figured out, we’ll know more about the bullpen.  Since none of the lefties are really stepping up,  I’d think Condrey has the advantage to make the team regardless if the staff is 11 or 12 pitchers.

“Wow! All the way to Fort Myers.  Jesus Christ almighty. I’m not worried. God ****, I’m going to Fort Myers, too.”

Charlie Manuel - When asked about sending Adam Eaton to Fort Myers to start against the Twins.

I love Charlie Manuel...

Brad Lidge

Lidge pitched a “four out” inning in an interquad game against minor leaguers yesterday afternoon.  In his first game situation this spring, Lidge retired four of the five batters he faced, striking out three.  The only base runner he allowed, Jayson Werth, advanced to first on a six-pitch walk.

Lidge felt no pain, and was happy with the outing:

"There's nothing better than facing hitters," said Lidge, who threw 12 of his 19 pitches for strikes. "That was a lot of fun. I was glad to get out there and feel good. I felt a lot better [command-wise], and I think that was because of having actual hitters and being able to lock in with an actual game surrounding."

Lidge will pitch in a minor league again on Sunday, and see some Grapefruit League action next week.  Barring no setback, Lidge will be ready for Opening Day.

CORRECTION:  Yesterday I posted about Adam Eaton, and his hopes to follow the strong outings likes of Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, and Jamie Moyer.   Well it never happened.  Due to Kyle Kendrick's minor league rainout, Eaton was bumped so Kendrick could get the start against Pittsburgh.  Kenrick also impressed, pitching five shutout innings.  Eaton will take the mound today against the Twins.

Adam Eaton...  Probably the least favorite Phillie for fans (outside those related to him), but their #5 starter going into the season (barring no health issues).  No one really wants to see him fail, it'll only hurt the team. 

Eaton is 0-2 this spring with an ERA of 9.00, but is coming off a scoreless outing, last Saturday against the Twins.  Hopefully his back is feeling okay, and he's gaining confidence.

The game can be watched on MLB.com, via MLB.TV.