Four or five should have been enough for the Philadelphia Phillies, but now that the number has reached eight, it could be too late to trade Aaron Harang. Eight represents Harang’s eighth-straight loss and eight also was the number of runs Harang gave up in a 9-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night. Fourteen was also an important number for Harang, as he gave up a career-high 14 hits.

Harang’s struggles represent an important lesson for the Phillies going forward, because current GM Ruben Amaro has been accused of asking for too much for certain players on his roster. In the case of Harang, he should have considered the right-hander’s past history and not his fast start. In May, Harang posted six consecutive quality starts and had an ERA of 1.62. Harang was once considered one of the top trade values this season due to his fast start and the fact that his one-year contract made him affordable. Amaro should have factored into any asking price the sobering fact that Harang was 12-12 for the Atlanta Braves a season ago and re-adjusted his demands. Now he is 4-11 with a 4.08 ERA.

At this point, Harang looks like he will end the season, and maybe his career, with the Phillies. He was banged around by the second-worst team in baseball. The Brewers have won the first three games of the series and go for a sweep Thursday night. Milwaukee has won four in a row for the first time this season. They are 32-48; the Phillies are 27-53.

A pitcher who is 0-8 with a 6.94 ERA over those eight starts is no longer a hot commodity, and a GM who holds onto assets way beyond any expiration date is on the hot seat. Those are more grim lessons from this regrettable season.

Mike Gibson is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.