Will there be a postseason
for the Phils? Ask Gillick

In the Batter’s Box
By Matt Godfrey

Now that the Phillies have (thankfully) lost their 10,000th game, bringing the incessant hoopla to an end, it is time for everyone to get down to business.
Specifically it is time for the general manager to make up his mind about the next move. He must decide whether he wants to go for broke this season or stick to his earlier belief that 2008 would be the year of the Phillies.
Only time will tell, but as the trade deadline approaches, we will see just how GM Pat Gillick feels about the team he is responsible for.
The players have certainly shown their preference for the rest of the season. At no point have these guys looked like they were counting themselves out of playoff contention.
They have overcome their horrid start, coped with their pitching woes, and endured the ongoing struggle of almost every right-handed bat in the lineup, except for Aaron Rowand.
The team’s bats pretty much have carried them to where they are at this point. The bats — complemented by some quality pitching from Cole Hamels, and some acceptable pitching from veteran Jamie Moyer and rookie Kyle Kendrick — have kept the Phils in the game.
In their first series after the all-star break, it was their bats that knocked in 23 runs in the opening two games against the St. Louis Cardinals.
It looked to me as if they had put aside their minor stumble to end the first half and came out swinging for the postseason. Manager Charlie Manuel also has done his part to help piece together a respectable season.
Whether you want to admit it or not, Manuel has done an admirable job so far with the team he has and the challenges posed by injuries to key players.
With no more than baseball’s equivalent of duct tape and glue, he has somehow kept this team focused on the task at hand.
To do so, he has had to use 25 pitchers this season, both starters and relievers, as of the series with the Cardinals.
I’m sure there are fans who feel the same about Manuel as they did when he was hired, but I think he may be deserving of a re-evaluation.
Plenty will still argue that his managerial moves have cost the team some close games. I think he’s making a pretty good case that he should be managing somewhere next season, if not in Philly.
The team is still limping along. But limping will only get you so far. At some point, everyone has to be on the same page.
So it is time for Pat Gillick to take a stand.
So far, his only notable addition for this season was the offseason acquisition of Greg Dobbs. Much was made about the signings of third baseman Wes Helms and catcher Rod Barajas, but they have been spending a lot of time backing up guys who were here last year.
Some help is coming, though.
Injured closer Tom Gordon, out since May 1, was added to the active roster before the Phils left for their current West Coast trip. Although he admits to not being at full strength, Gordon will be a welcome arm in the bullpen.
Also, Brett Myers, out since May 23, is slated to finally return soon after the club returns from this trip.
Both arms will be eased into action, but every little bit will help. If they can start by bridging the gap from the starters to the Ryan Madson/Antonio Alfonseca setup/closer tandem, the Phils would be in better shape.
If demoted reliever Geoff Geary can get his head straight and rejoin the team, they would be in an even better spot.
But where this ball club is going in the second half remains up to Gillick. He’ll either find the pitching help, just as he found Jamie Moyer last year, or he’ll sit tight and see what happens.
If that’s the way he goes, be ready for an early collapse. ••
Columnist Matt Godfrey can be reached at 215-354-3113 or mgodfrey@phillynews.com