Phillies set to recall J.A. Happ; Eaton accepts minor league assignment

(this artilce was written prior to the official announcement, but the Phillies have now officially confirmed that Adam Eaton has accepted a minor league assignement)

Within the next 24 hours, the Phillies will officially announce that they have recalled LHP J.A. Happ from Lehigh Valley. Happ was pitching yesterday for the AAA Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and after two-and-two-thirds innings, he was pulled from the game.

Happ reported no injuries and had not given up any runs in the game. He was later seen getting congratulations from teammates, further evidence that he had been called back up to the big club.

With Happ's recall, many questions are raised. Questions such as: Whether or not he'd move into the rotation, or if he will become the Phillies' second lefty-option out of the pen? If he were moved into the rotation, who would be the odd-man out?

Obviously, Hamels and Moyer are safe, and Myers is slated to make just his second start tomorrow night since being recalled himself. Kendrick has struggled in July, but pitched six solid innings on Friday night vs. the Braves.

Joe Blanton has not looked impressive in his two starts, although he only pitched two innings in his second start, yesterday, due to a rain delay.

Ok, so maybe he's headed to the 'pen.

Happ could essentially be the trade the Phillies were looking to make to add a lefty reliever. The Yankees already nabbed one of the best lefty options on the trade block over the weekend, acquiring Damaso Marte from the Pirates, along with OF Xavier Nady in exchange for four prospects.

The Rockies' closer, Brian Fuentes, still remains the crown jewel for most teams seeking a left-handed reliever. The Royals' lefty, Ron Mahay is another option as well. 

Another theory as to why Happ is being brought up is that perhaps he's being used a trade bait, and teams want to see him pitch up here one or two times prior to Thursday's trade deadline. 

Or perhaps he has already been traded?

Either way, with Happ's arrival (or an acquired pitcher), the Phillies most make a roster move. While releasing Rudy Seanez wouldn't surprise me, the most likely scenario would be that Adam Eaton will no long be in a Philadelphia uniform.

Eaton was seen meeting with GM Pat Gillick after the game yesterday, and it's possible they asked him to accept a minor-league assignment. Because Eaton has at least five years of major-league service time, he can refuse assignment to the minors, at which point he'd become a free agent. Eaton is in the middle of a three-year contract, paying him $24 million. 

Personally, I'd love for the Phillies to eat Eaton's contract and have him walk. Not only has he been a huge disappointment, he's just bad karma at this point. The Phils definitely need a second left-hander out of the 'pen, but is Happ the answer?

He's only made two relief appearances in his minor-league career. I'm not so sure I like him coming up here out of the 'pen during a division race like this. The Phillies have three days to make a significant move, adding pitching or a right-handed hitter, and I don't think adding Happ is it.

But getting rid of Eaton would be a start.