Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

John Lannan’s masterpiece might have ruined the concept for everybody, and is probably the reason the team cut Aaron Cook today, despite his delightfully mediocre performances this spring.

At one point considered to be Roy Halladay’s possible successor, in that he might pitch in the spot that Halladay once occupied, not that he was going to pitch a no-hitter in the playoffs or chase off an anaconda.  But Cook is gone now, and with him is a tiny bit of pitching depth.

Cook showed up over 18.2 innings in six games for the Phillies, amassing a 3.38 ERA.  He allowed 19 hits and seven earned runs, four walks, five strikesouts; he had a very “Aaron Cook” spring.  Not a lot was going wrong, and nothing went too right.

Now, at 34 years old, Cook heads back into the unemployment.  He and Yuniesky Betancourt shouldn’t have an impossible time getting work, but perhaps lengthy, or in some cases, abroad.  He could find himself in Triple-A, getting knocked around by top prospects or guys who are the “Aaron Cook’s” of hitting.

Regardless, as the Phillies trim their roster for Opening Day, they are going to be slicing off guys who might have a smidge of usefulness here and there.

More like SCREWniesky Betancourt right ha ha I don’t know why

— Justin Klugh (@TBOHblog) March 23, 2013

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

No one is really sure what it is or what it’s supposed to accomplish, but his trade value could be high enough at this point for him to stick somewhere, and for the Phillies to receive mediocre prospect talent in return.

Who knows!  But that ball he hit forever today was the last of the Phillies’ five home runs, traveling very far thanks to the wind, and giving the Phillies three more highly unnecessary runs in a 13-4 romp of the Baltimore Orioles and starter Wei-Yin Chen.

Also home running on the day was Ryan Howard, who briefly tied Dom Brown for the team lead in dingers until several innings later, when Dom socked the crud out of one himself for three more precious RBI.  Oh, and Chase Utley got bored and nailed two of his own.

#Phillies 1-through-6 hitters are 9-for-16 today with a double, four home runs, a walk, a HBP and 9 RBI.

— Greg Pinto (@Greg_Pinto) March 23, 2013

And that was before the game was even over.  Brown and Utley alone combined for eight RBI and four hits.

Michael Young went 2-for-3 and Steven Lerud raised eyebrows as far as the backup catcher role; he again reached base multiple times, once with a hit and twice with a pair of free passes.

Aaron Cook took the mound, effectively sinkering his way through the Orioles lineup.  Cook, along with several other fringe pitchers, will be filling holes in the Phillies rotation (where?!?) as the season gradually rips them apart.  Cook went four and two third, giving up four hits and two earned runs.

Phillippe Aumont continued to confuse with his tenacious wildness since returning from Team Canada in the WBC, and allowed a run on crazy outside pitch.  But the relievers – Mike Adams and young guns Aumont, Antonio Bastardo, and J.C. Ramirez – held firm, allowing six hits and two earned runs collectively over the final four and a third innings left.

Sep 22, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Aaron Cook (35) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

In a series of moves that harken back to the heart-pounding off-season of 2011, the Philadelphia Phillies today signed starting pitcher Aaron Cook to a minor league deal that could be worth about $1.6 million if he pitches in the Major Leagues this season.

Coming on the heels of the much ballyhooed Rodrigo Lopez and Juan Cruz signings, the Phils are once again attempting to put together a “Rotation for the Ages.”

For LeHigh Valley.

The 33-year-old Cook had a terrible season for the Red Sox in 2012, where he started 18 games and posted a 5.65 ERA with 1.9 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 and a 58.6% ground ball rate in 94 innings and, according to FanGraphs, generated swings and misses on just 3.7% of his offerings.

Yikes.

It’s clear that Ruben Amaro is attempting to create some competition for that final spot in the rotation and/or assemble quite a veteran staff for the LeHigh Valley Iron Pigs, who definitely want to win another division title this year. And the Piggies winning another title is really, really, really important stuff, guys.

So, at the very least, #Phillies creating some spring competition for that fifth spot. Lannan, Pettibone, Cook, Cloyd, Rodriguez.

— Greg Pinto (@Greg_Pinto) January 16, 2013

The signing of Cook was not without its detractors of course…

@phylan @dashtreyhorn @marc_normandin He achieved the rare feat of tallying more walks than strikeouts despite having a BB/9 of 2.0

— High Cheese (@HighCheese) January 16, 2013

Phillies sign Aaron Cook to be clubhouse sandwich maker.

— Dash Treyhorn (@DashTreyhorn) January 16, 2013

Of course, some people just like to hate.

I prefer to see this as an amazing opportunity for all these arms to bring out the very best out in each other. A spirited competition is just what the doctor ordered, no?

I mean, at the very least, Lopez, Cloyd, Cook, Pettibone and/or Lannan is going to make the Iron Piggies one hell of an out come next September.

So, sit back and enjoy LeHigh Valley! Your “Rotation of the Ages” is complete!