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Phillies Acquire Taschner
By J Platt on March 28th, 2009 7:48 AM |
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The Ronny Paulino era was short lived in Philadelphia. Last night the Phillies sent the catcher to the San Francisco Giants for relief pitcher Jack Taschner.
Taschner, who is left handed, went 3-2 with a 4.88 ERA for the Giants last season. Taschner signed a one-year deal with the Giants this past winter, and has had a terrible spring going 0-0 with a 6.23 ERA. He also has walked 12 batters in less than 9 innings. Taschner did blame his poor spring on working on a new pitch (a two-seam fastball), but he’s never had any history of being a strong reliever. Obvious hopes are that pitching coach Rich Dubee will be able to help Taschner turn things around, make him a useful second lefty out of the bullpen. At least until June, when J.C. Romero returns from his 50-game suspension.
This move also mean Chris Coste has no worries about losing his role as Carlo Ruiz’s backup, and gives a strong indication that J.A. Happ will claim the fifth spot in the rotation, moving Chan Ho Park to a long-relief role.
Hot Stove Analysis:
This isn’t the best baseball move the Phillies have made. While it gives them two lefties in the bullpen, that might only be on paper. Scott Eyre is best used in a situational role, and while Taschner is left handed, he’s never had any success getting left handed batters out (a career .288 batting average against). Taschner also isn’t the kind of pitcher who’s going to fool anyone. In 140 career innings, he’s allowed 147 hits. Factor in 73 walks in those 140 innings (4.69 BB/9), you get a reliever who has a career 1.571 WHIP. Those numbers don’t belong in any bullpen.
Some might say this move could be along the lines of past moves like when the Phillies acquired Romero, Eyre, or Rudy Seanez. The difference is those pitcher at least had a history of being able to get batters out. Taschner has never had such luck. While the Phillies wouldn’t have had two lefties in the ‘pen, giving the last bullpen spot to Gary Majewski (3.27, 8 K in 11 IP), or local product Mike Koplove (1.23, 7/7), then handing a spot to a reliever who has never been effective.
