Lauber writes:
The point is, any discussion of the Philliesâ other needs -- including reinforcements for their injury-ravaged outfield and bullpen -- is simply a distraction from the real issue. The starting rotation isnât good enough, plain and simple.
But I'm not sure that's correct. Or at least, it's chicken/egg. I think this team was built to have mostly six-inning starters (at most), a deep bullpen, and a highly productive offense. It's only because the bullpen is decimated and the offense basically average that the 5th starter woes become a factor. And had the bullpen not been so bad Velasquez might have returned to the rotation (ahead of Pivetta, even, which so far looks like it would have been a mistake).
But the real issue is also Nola and Arrieta. Get another starter and then you have a better 5th starter too.
