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Phillies acquire Joe Blanton from A's for 3 prospects

Tiny by Hobbes2d on

The Phillies have reached an agreement with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton. Blanton is 5-12 this season after going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA last season.

The Athletics get second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman and outfielder Matthew Spencer, all minor leaguers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3494315

Pretty good haul for Joe Blanton.

Cardenas profiles as a middle of the order hitting 2b. Has some good pop and ability to get on base via the walk. Biggest issues are his range defensively. He was their #2 prospect.

Outman was the #4 prospect for the Phillies. He's a LHP who throws in the low 90s with a slider and changeup. He profiles as a #3 starter and has been pretty good so far in his minor league career.

Spencer profiles as a RF, who can hit for some power.

 

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The A’s are stocking up on prospects like crazy.

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Jul 17, 2008 4:16 PM PDT   0 recs

It certainly helps when you have young talent to trade haha. A’s fans are already predicting Ellis and Street are next.

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I know there’s been a lot of brush fires in Northern California this summer… but has anyone actually checked to see if the Oakland Coliseum is still standing? This is looking like one hell of a fire sale!

by Merope on Jul 17, 2008 4:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you want to try that a little differently?

I’m looking for something that says “Dad likes leather”.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 18, 2008 8:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There’s a new daddy in town. A discipline daddy.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 18, 2008 8:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If Ellis goes on the market, should the Giants go after him? Of course, they’d have to make sure they can sign an extension.

by cheno on Jul 17, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or they can just try to sign him in the winter when he’s a FA…

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 4:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That, of course, runs the risk of him not being a free agent.

by cheno on Jul 17, 2008 4:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it’s unlikely the A’s resign him. They did just trade for Patterson, and while he might not be great, he will be cheap and ready.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 17, 2008 4:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of him being traded to another team and them resigning him.

by cheno on Jul 17, 2008 4:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ahh, yeah, that’s a definite possibility.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 17, 2008 5:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There are some doubts about whether

Not Corey can actually play 2b adequately.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 7:03 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That’s true, and the defensive downgrade from Ellis to him would be brutal.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 18, 2008 8:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If he’s available as a free agent, I’d definitely try to sign him. I’m not excited enough by him to want to trade talent for him and then also have to worry about re-signing him, though.

by jcb9 on Jul 17, 2008 5:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stay thirsty, Billy Beane.

Disfrute Los Gigantes every day at www.leftymalo.com

by leftymalo on Jul 17, 2008 8:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he’s a lover not a fighter. But he’s also a fighter, so don’t get any ideas.

by tyrannoman on Jul 18, 2008 7:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Getting Cardenas for Blanton is a coup

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 17, 2008 4:17 PM PDT   0 recs

This was almost like your dream!

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 17, 2008 6:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Man, that means there isn’t going to be a whole lot coming back for Matt Cain.

by Grant on Jul 17, 2008 4:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Darn, we'll just have to keep him.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 17, 2008 4:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wrong pitcher

The Giants were talking about trading the wrong pitcher last winter.

by sharksrog on Jul 17, 2008 5:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ehh

The AL isn’t sobbing over the loss of Joe Blanton…

by boonitez on Jul 17, 2008 11:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The funny thing about this trade is that whoever the A’s call up from AAA will probably pitch just as well as Blanton had in the first half

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on Jul 17, 2008 4:29 PM PDT   0 recs

No, the funny thing is that they’re probably going to call up Gio Gonzalez, who is an ex-Phillies prospect!

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 17, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And he’s twice an ex-White Sox prospect!

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 4:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And he’s probably going to pitch better than Blanton.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 17, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

was gio

the a’s prospect who one hit the giants earlier this year? (one of our minor league affiliates i mean)

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Jul 18, 2008 12:36 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So: Can the A’s still contend? Or will they just trade off more players?

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Jul 17, 2008 4:45 PM PDT   0 recs

Probably trade off players. They have a lot of guys who could get something good back. Duscherer, Street, Ellis, some of their older pen arms. Crosby could too if they had a SS to replace him with. And SS is a position that’s got high demand and low quality right now. When Jack Wilson is a big name on the trade market you know it can’t be too good.

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 4:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They were fringely contending to begin with

Also Blanton was kinda teh suck this year and I’m not sure his 4.48 K/9 (less than a batter an inning that’s awful) is gonna rise up anytime soon.

While its not quite at the same level yet it would be like asking this question if the Giants traded Barry Zito.

by iamawesomer on Jul 17, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeaahhh but

his GB/FB rate should progress back to his avg. level and in all, his FIP is just 4.11 (in a down year). He wasn’t all that sucky.

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Jul 18, 2008 3:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly.

Most A’s fans are grossly overreacting to half a season’s ERA.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 7:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don’t know, he looks like a guy who’s average, at best, and who is going to be getting more expensive.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 18, 2008 8:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sayig that he's great or even good

but he’s also very likely not a “true” talent 77 ERA+ pitcher, despite what the large majority of fans on Athletics Nation believe. His career FIP is 4.02, 4.11 this season. His career ERA+ is 100. What changed so dramatically, that he’s gone from a 100 ERA+ pitcher to a 77 ERA+ pitcher? The big difference between this season is his baserunner kill rate. Sure maybe he’s just abruptly lost some his skill at killing baserunners. Or, maybe not.

The Phillies back of the rotation is weak.. They have an outstanding overall team ERA+, but that is because Cole Hamels, and a phenomenal bullpen. However bad you think Blanton is, he’s better than Adam Eaton. Sure a guy like Blanton might not be all that useful in the playoffs, but the Phillies need to actually get to the playoffs. The Mets have caught them.

I’m not saying that this a good deal for the Phillies, or a bad deal for the A’s. Just that Blanton is not a 77 ERA+ “true” talent pitcher.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 9:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I’d agree with everything you said. I have no problem with calling Joe Blanton an approximately league average starter.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 18, 2008 10:02 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Very few starters actually K a batter per inning. 4.48 is, however, less than half a batter per inning, which is pretty darn bad unless you have astronomically low walk rates.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 18, 2008 3:16 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don’t see how much has changed for them, even with the Harden and Blanton trades. What could the A’s realistically count on from Harden in the 2nd half? With his injury history, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got more value from Gallagher in the 2nd half. With Blanton, whoever they call up will likely be able to perform as well, if not better. Their MLB team probably got better today and, at worst, didn’t lose much from the Harden trade.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 17, 2008 4:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They pretty much just replace guys with similar players who are younger and more controllable…

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 4:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly. Plus they also get “throw-ins” to sweeten the deal.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 17, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Even this season,

Blanton’s FIP is 4.11, xFIP 4.45.

The big difference in his performance this year, that is causing the ERA spike, is his left on base rate. From around 68% the previous 2 seasons, to 65.2%. Now maybe something has changed in his pitching ability that is causing that; and if someone has a scouting report, or coaching or training info about him, that would indicate the reason, sure, it’s possible that that decline is not just him going through a poor patch / bad luck.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 7:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The other key thing is

Blanton might have league average rates for a starter, which is valuable in its own right, but he also ptiches at that level for a high amount of innings. His value because of his ability to eat innings at that pace elevates to an above average pitcher. For one game, sure, league average pitcher (a nice no. 3) but over the course of an entire season Blanton’s value grows exponentially

www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)

by NeifiChicken on Jul 18, 2008 10:41 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd disagree heavily on the opening interpretations of the three prospects...

I’m not overly impressed with this haul, though it’s not for a very good pitcher right now, either. But middle of the order hitter? Power? Wha?

Cardenas shows some spunk for a 20-year old in High-A. He’s got a good average and OBP, but has only doubles power. He’s showing off some better speed, which would make him much more valuable, and should have 20 SB in a season this year for the first time. In the past, his SB% has not been good, but he’s perfect in 16 attempts this season. He’s a good prospect, but he’s not a middle of the order hitter. #2 sure, maybe leadoff with a better track record for average, or a good #7-8 guy traditionally. But he doesn’t have the power to this #3-6, and he’s unlikely to find it.

Outman is 23 and repeating Double-A. Working mostly as a reliever, he’s had some overall nice stats, but nothing special. He is a lefty and has the expected but not overwhelming split. Spencer is 22 in High-A and is struggling. Neither are anything special, but Outman could be a decent reliever down the road.

Blanton, meanwhile, won’t be the answer for Philly. It gives them some depth and he’ll probably improve upon the performances of Myers and/or Eaton, but that’s a pretty low bar. It gives the Phillies a #4 starter, but it won’t swing the power in the division, and the Phils traded one of their better chips for him.

All in all, Cardenas for Blanton isn’t a bad trade for either Oakland or Philly. But the other two aren’t special prospects that any system should already have. Honestly, in the Giants’ system, Outman might not even be one of the Top 10 relievers. It’ll be decent for the A’s down the stretch, and does clear the road for Gio, but it’s no monster haul.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on Jul 17, 2008 5:17 PM PDT   0 recs

Outman’s a starter, he was moved to the pen supposedly because the Phillies would be using him in that role sometime this season, as he was likely to be one of their first big mid-season call ups.

Spencer was a throw in.

Blanton’s just an innings eater, so I consider getting 2 decent prospects for him to be pretty good, especially when he hasn’t had the best of seasons this year.

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 5:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd say

he was moved to the pen because it’s his only legitimate path to a steady major league roll. He’s got extremely pedestrian stuff without any plus pitches, and being a left-hander doesn’t really make that problem go away. As a prospect I don’t see how you could rate him higher than say Ben Snyder.

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Jul 17, 2008 5:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Outman is a lefty who sits in the low 90’s and can hit 95, that seems like a plus pitch to me.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 17, 2008 6:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

as does BA

They have him pegged as a future #3 starter.

by Hobbes2d on Jul 17, 2008 6:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Put me in the skeptical boat

a) Cardenas is a good prospect. He has good upside and a decent track record. I’m not quite as down on him as Brute (well, more in the sense where Brute says he could never be a 3-6 hitter) but I’m also not sold he’ll reach that point either. I see him with a career peak of a .305/.360/.465 type of 2B, which is well above average.
b) Outman profiles as a 3…well, I for one don’t think he warrants that claim yet. He has barely maintained a 2 to 1 K/BB ratio during his minor league career and in his 112+ AA IP his K/BB has been below 2. The guy clearly has serious control problems and while he posesses good stuff and a good strike yet, it doesn’t seem great enough to justify his walk rates. His ERA is more deflated than it should be and the best thing he has going for him is his ability to avoid home runs, which is likely aided by pitching in the Eastern League which is notorious for being poor for hitters. The guy might have the upside of a no. 3, but he’ll have to seriously solve his walks issue for me to have that confidence in him.
c) Spencer is having a horrible year and is likely a non-prospect as many addressed

www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)

by NeifiChicken on Jul 17, 2008 7:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ALSO

I think Blanton is more than just an innings eater. There is a lot of value in eating that many innings and he had quite great 2007 if you ask me.

www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)

by NeifiChicken on Jul 17, 2008 7:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Joe Blanton's 2007:

abberation, fluke n.

BROCK BOND LIKES HIS MARTINIS PUNCHED IN THE FACE, NOT STIRRED.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Jul 18, 2008 3:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i'd say getting anything half way decent for blanton is impressive

as an A’s season ticket holder(only because of convenience), this guy complete garbage. Even the coliseum couldn’t keep him from getting trashed…. he is going to get lit up in philly.

by superk1ng on Jul 17, 2008 8:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You're way overreacting to half a season's ERA

Was Blanton “complete garbage” in 2007? What changed?

Also, all the other parks in the NL East are pitcher’s parks. Shea, Turner, Florida are pitcher’s parks to varying degrees. It’s early days for Washington, but it too looks to be a pitcher’s park.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 7:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Last year he was barely above average

He’s exactly what you want from a #5 starter, a pitcher that eats a ton of innings(which I’d take from Correia), but I would NEVER give up prospects for a #5 pitcher. If Philly fans are expecting anything more, they’re in for a huge disappointment. Philly should be looking for top of the rotation guys not some rotation filler.

by superk1ng on Jul 18, 2008 8:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

An above average pitcher

is #5 starter. Yup. Great.

“Philly should be looking for top of the rotation guys not some rotation filler.”

Sure. If an average starter is a #5 starter, WTF is a top of the rotation guy, and where the fark are you going to find him? The teams that do actually have top of the rotation guys don’t give them away.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 8:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

above average last year

but not for his career. 100 career ERA+. He’s had 4 seasons: 1 good, 1 average a 2 bad(including this year). Watching him pitch, I’d say he’s closer to the bad pitcher than he is to the decent one. You think he’s decent, that’s fine… I’m just happy I don’t have to watch him anymore.

Phillies rotation is crap. They should have made a run at Harden or anybody else not named Blanton. Hamels is great, of course, but some combination of Meyers, Moyer, Blanton, Eaton and Kendrick isn’t going to cut in the playoffs.

by superk1ng on Jul 18, 2008 9:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

League average

ERA+ for a starting pitcher is around 96-97. The 100 ERA+ is average thing is for ALL pitchers. Relievers put up better ERAs than starters.

Yes, the Phillies rotation is crap. That’s why they need Blanton. Blanton > Adam Eaton. Anyone not named Blanton? Like whom? Jarrod Washburn, whom the Mariners are shopping? Carlos Silva, maybe? A healthy Harden is great. How assured are you that Harden will be healthy over the season?

To be able to “cut” in the playoffs, you need to actually get there first. The Phillies have been caught by the Mets.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Jul 18, 2008 9:31 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

the key difference between him and Corriea

well there are many, but Correia can’t eat innings like Blanton. Correia’s control often prevents him from going past the 6th innings in a lot of games, and he has had his health issues.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Kevin Correia never throws over 200 innings in a single season in his career, whereas Blanton is pretty much a lock for 200+ every year

www.wazzel.com (prove your sports knowledge if you can)

by NeifiChicken on Jul 18, 2008 10:44 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The A’s should have name tags on their uniforms. “Hi, my name is __ and I play __“

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on Jul 17, 2008 5:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Their budget would go through the roof buying all of those.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 17, 2008 5:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Example:

My name is Andy Dick, and I play recklessly and idiotically.

Too soon?

I'm adopting a true Giant and an awe-inspring gamer: tk. "Atta babe."

by Mayor of 311 on Jul 17, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Outman

great name for a pitcher (or Giants hitter)

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 17, 2008 6:14 PM PDT   0 recs

Figure we have the one named “Walker”.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 17, 2008 6:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

or a guy that just admitted that he’s gay.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Jul 17, 2008 6:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In the last 2 years Beane has traded 6 players (Kendall, Kotsay, Swisher, Haren, Harden and Blanton) for a total of 18 prospects, 9 of whom were ranked top 10 in their organizations by BA and 15 were top 20. I personally don’t think Kendall, Kotsay, or Blanton were worth that much at all and Harden’s health is always a concern. I think Chicago and AZ overpaid for Swisher and Haren. It will take at least 2-3 years to determine if Beane was right or wrong on these, but fuck, he is exciting and I wish he was our GM. I’ve found myself paying a lot more attention to Oakland and their maneuvers than wasting time waiting for Sabean to unload our overpaid veterans that he over-values.

by mark30perq3 on Jul 17, 2008 6:43 PM PDT   0 recs

If Beane were our GM

I think it’s likely both Cain and Lincecum and likely Sanchez are all gone by now.

Which might be the best move for this team…

Only 878 games until the end of Zito's contract

by thehavenot on Jul 17, 2008 8:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No

Billy Beane wouldn’t have traded Tim Lincecum.

by sharksrog on Jul 18, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, he’d probably wait until next year.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 18, 2008 11:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And if he'd kept most, if not all of those players...

...then A’s fans wouldn’t have to wait 2-3 years to see if Beane is ‘right’....they’d be in the playoffs probably this season instead of waiting 2-3 years for most of those prospects to appear, and then another 2 years for most to adjust to the bigs.

Winning later? Maybe. The majority of A’s fans being empty seats or tarps? Definitely.

SFDugout.com is BACK! See the Top 50 Giants Prospects!

by BruteSentiment on Jul 17, 2008 9:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They are winning, currently in 2nd place and the A’s fans still don’t go. If they had Haren-Harden-Blanton right now instead Smith-Eveland-Gallagher-Gonzalez they’d be a starter short and I bet Gallagher and Gonzalez will put up better numbers combined in the 2nd half than Blanton and Harden, especially with Harden’s injury history and Blanton moving to a hitter’s park when his away numbers have been much worse in his career than in Oakland’s pitchers park. Having Swisher instead of Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Sweeney in the outfield may have made the A’s a win or 2 better in the first half. On the whole, the A’s are not only just as good without the players they traded, but their farm system is now loaded and their future is much brighter. The evidence is not only in what I said but in the fact that they are 7 games ahead of where they were last year at this point.

by mark30perq3 on Jul 17, 2008 9:41 PM PDT to parent up