Phillies: Are there really any viable Plans B at this point?

OK, Next Questions

Next, Phillies fans must consider their starting rotation. Most have extremely high confidence in Aaron Nola, but considerably less confidence in the repaired arm of overpriced Jake Arrieta (however gritty he is) and the new guy, Zack Wheeler (however hard he throws).

After them are Eflin, Velasquez, and Pivetta, who have records so impressive in their mediocrity that they, the players, should be really annoyed about them – motivated, to use another term, and frankly, thankful – specifically that the Phillies management has put up with them for so long – Eflin, the youngest, somewhat excepted.

However, if you’re really paying attention, it should be clear that before June 1st the Phillies could have four pitchers with losing records without even burping loudly. The guy with the winning record could be Nola, Arrieta, Wheeler, or Eflin, but only a fool would bet on two of them with positive won-lost postings.

So, what happens in the worst-case scenario for starters, then?

Who knows, barring late winter acquisitions? At the moment, there are two guys on the active roster named Garrett Cleavinger and Mauricio Llovera. It is unclear whether these guys could be MLB starters because…what the hell are they doing on the active roster?

Even in December.

Llovera has something of a starter’s career record and WHIP (1.18), but in the minors no higher than Double-A. And where is Spencer Howard?

OK, so this is a work in progress. Phillies management surely knows what it’s doing.

And you heard it here first. They will sign a now sub-par free agent before spring training – maybe Ivan Nova or Homer Bailey.

OK, then, good plan.