Search for Dave Bush’s Replacement is Finally Over

Dave Bush is an SK Wyvern now, and we need to move on.  The Phillies are prepared to, and proved it yesterday by signing RHP Matt Wright to take Bush’s open spot in the Lehigh Valley rotation.

He had been playing in the Atlantic League for the Lancaster Barnstormers, until this past March when his wife had a baby in their native Waco, Texas home and Wright asked to be traded to the Sugar Land Skeeters to be closer to his rapidly growing family.  With the ‘Stormers, Wright had been named Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for September 2011, going 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA, two walks, 15 K’s, and a one-hitter.

This is a league so independent that trades are made to accommodate player requests.  But it’s not that big of a deal.  Wright wasn’t the best pitcher in the league or anything.

"“He was the best starter in the league, in my mind, in the second half, last year, but I needed to make this right for him.”—Lancaster Barnstormers Manager Bruce Hobson"

Well then.

The shift from a tender, caring organization where team meetings are indistinguishable from group hugs and trades are made based on how much a player loves his family to one run by Ruben Amaro may be enough of a shock to shatter Matt Wright’s view of humanity.

The Phillies were also looking at a York Revolution pitcher to possibly fill the gap, but went with Wright because they decided they didn’t have the kind of time to drive all the way to York just to see a Revolution player humiliate himself and also because the guy had already signed with the Reds.