By Justin Worsley
If Philadelphia wants to compete for their third straight World Series appearance and fourth consecutive divisional title, they need to address their starting pitcher situation.
In Tuesday night's 7-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals the team lost starting pitcher Jamie Moyer after he left in the first inning with a left elbow strain. The Phillies have also spent most of the season without sophomore J.A. Happ, who has missed all but two starts with a forearm strain. Happ will return to the lineup this weekend according to manager Charlie Manuel.
Philadelphia also sent starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick back to the minor leagues, however, they may need to recall him after Moyer's injury. Moyer, 47, is the older pitcher in the MLB.
The remaining three starters on Philadelphia's roster, ace Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton are a combined 20-20 in 53 starts with only Halladay possessing a winning record.
Rumors have recently circulated that Philadelphia is willing to part ways with right fielder Jayson Werth. The team has the power in their lineup to part ways with the 2009 All-Star and Tampa Bay has shown interest according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt has been listed as one of the top players available in a trade, however, any trade he is involved in must be approved by him. Oswalt is having a poor season in Houston mainly because his team is unable to generate run support. The 32-year-old is 6-11 despite having a 3.12 ERA and 117 strikeouts. Oswalt's run support in Houston is only 3.27, one of the league's worst.
Of course, Oswalt is not the only possibility. Stark has also reported that there is interest in Oakland's Ben Sheets, Arizona's Dan Haren and Baltimore's Jeremy Guthrie, but the Phillies has extensively talked more to Oswalt's representatives.
Whatever Philadelphia decides to do, it needs to be done quickly. The Phillies are currently seven games behind division leaders Atlanta are are 1-5 since the All-Star break.
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