Are the Phillies Going to Miss Adam Eaton?

In the first few weeks of the season, the Phillies' pitching core has been decidedly underwhelming. The numbers are downright horrifying. Going into Thursday's matinee, opposing batters were hitting .294 against the home team, next to last in the National League. The staff ERA was 6.34, highest in the league. 29 home runs had been allowed, the most in the majors. And they can't blame Adam Eaton for any of this.

After two dismal seasons with the locals, Eaton is now plying his wares with Baltimore. His first two starts with the American League team gave no indication that the change of scene was helpful. In those outings, Eaton pitched a total of 8 innings, yielding 17 hits and 10 earned runs for a tidy ERA of 11.25. The Phillies are still signing the pay checks of Eaton, now in the final year of a three-year 24.5 million dollar contract. That contract had been looking like the only investment worse than General Motors stock.

However, in a start last night, the tall right-hander went 7.1 innings, giving up only 6 hits and 2 runs in a win over the White Sox. He struck out 9. Wouldn't it be ironic, with the Phils' rotation in shambles, if the much maligned Adam Eaton were to regain his form in Baltimore while still on the Philadelphia payroll?