Grounded

It looks like the Phils might have a tough time coming up with a groundball specialist to pitch in the homer-friendly Zen.

The best in the game, not surprisingly, is Arizona sinkerballer Brandon Webb. He recorded 388 groundball outs compared to 116 in the air. No one else even comes close to that ratio. The D-backs have got him locked up and would seem unlikely to trade him. If they did trade him, he wouldn't come cheaply.

Other top guys are Derek Lowe, Jake Westbrook, Mark Mulder, Chris Carpenter, Tim Hudson, A.J. Burnett and Kirk Saarloos.

Westbrook is an intriguing talent, but Cleveland's got him signed through 2006 with an option for 2007. And they're too close to being a post-season team to give up pitching. Burnett is the top free agent hurler on the market, and it's unlikely the Phils will have deep enough pockets.

The best pitcher the Phils could most likely sign is Matt Morris, who probably has the right makeup to pitch in the Zen. Jeff Weaver and Kevin Millwood, as we already know, do not. Another option might be Jason Johnson, who pitched for the Tigers. He can go out and throw a 1-hit shutout, then come back and give up seven runs in his next start. A very frustrating talent. He certainly wouldn't be a splashy sign.

If the Phils decide to return Ryan Madson to a starting role, bring up Gavin Floyd for the whole season and get Randy Wolf back, then they might not need to sign a starter, anyway.