Moyer Unlikely for Opening Day

What a surprise Philadelphia Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr is saying that starting pitcher Jamie Moyer won’t be ready to go by Opening Day 2010. Not really a surprise to me, he’s a 47-year old pitcher coming off off-season surgery and two subsequent hospital visits for complications. In fact he goes for another procedure on his knee Monday.

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“I would doubt that Jamie would be ready for opening day,” Amaro said. “It’s possible. If anybody can do it, Jamie can.”

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Nice to see that Amaro has confidence in the aged veteran but should he really be relying on him to come back? The guys old and breaking down. At least Monday’s procedure isn’t anything serious. “He is going a have a scope on his right knee,” Amaro said. “I guess it’s his [cartilage]. He’s had a meniscus tear that he’s had for a while.”

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“We were going to take care of [the knee surgery] a month and half ago, except he had these complications with his abdominal surgery,” Amaro said. “He still had antibiotics shooting through him. He’s going to have antibiotics taken out on the eighth for the infection he had.”

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After hearing those full details do you really think the Phillies should rely on him?

I’d say no. This is a team built to win now. They’ve been to two straight World Series and have a great chance at a third. He provided the Phillies with just about nothing last year, 12-10 record with a 4.94 ERA. Even worse he wasn’t around when it mattered the most, September, October and November.

Don’t get me wrong the guy is a warrior for pitching as long as he did but it’s time to hang it up.

I hate to bring this up again but wouldn’t his money have been better spent at keeping Cliff Lee to team with Roy Halladay? There is no doubt that Moyer will be in Philly pitching in 2010 he’s getting paid too much not to but you tell me is it a good idea? Will he even make it through the season?