This was another week to forget for the Phillies, as their struggles continued against the Athletics and Rangers. The Phils went 2-4 on the week, failing to beat such powerhouses as Joe Blanton (4-11, 4.97 ERA), Eric Hurley (1-1, 3.57 ERA), and Kason Gabbard (2-3, 4.82 ERA).

The Phils’ offense, which has been struggling mightily over the past few weeks, finally found some life this weekend in Texas, only to have the pitching falter in its place. In the first two games of the series, the Phillies scored a total of 15 runs, but gave up 14 runs. The Fightins just can’t seem to catch a break.

As a result of his struggles this year, pitcher Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84 ERA) could be headed back to the bullpen. Full coverage of that story here. Who can say if that will help Myers? I, for one, was not all that impressed with his pitching as the team’s closer last year, and under no circumstances do I want the Phillies to think that he is a viable option when considering whether to offer current closer Brad Lidge a serious contract extension next year. Myers has never quite lived up to his potential, and has been down right awful this year. With Adam Eaton and Kyle Kendrick filling the back end of the rotation, and aging lefty Jamie Moyer (who continues to amaze as a guy who consistently keeps the Phillies in the game, despite being the oldest player in the major leagues) as the number three man, the Phillies really needed Myers to step up and be the man he’s always supposed to have been. That didn’t happen. Maybe a return to the pen will do him some good. It certainly can’t make him any worse.

In other, happier, news, the Flyers’ officially signed forward Jeff Carter to a three year deal worth $15 million. For more on Carter’s signing, check out Jay’s post from Sunday.

The Flyers have been busy this week. In addition to signing Carter, they signed Steve Eminger to a one year contract. Eminger was a draft day acquisition from the Washington Capitals. They made two trades yesterday, acquiring Tim Ramholt from the Calgary Flames for Kyle Greentree, and traded recently acquired defenseman Janne Niskala to Tampa Bay for a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft. The Flyers traded for Niskala from the Nashville Predators last week for forward Triston Grant and a seventh-round draft pick in next year’s draft.

Today is the first day of free agency in the NBA and we fully expect the Sixers to be major players in this year’s market. Los Angeles Clippers’ star Elton Brand opted out of the last year of his contract, making him available to the Sixers to negotiate with. For more on Brand and the Sixers’ free agency plans, go here.

Continue to check back as we break all the developing Philly sports stories, from the Phils’ attempts to right their ship to the Sixers’ free agency moves, Hot Stove Philly has you covered.