The Phillies hope Joe Blanton can help their rotation for the stretch run much like Jamie Moyer helped them in 2006 and Kyle Lohse helped them in 2007.
They just acquired the 27-year-old righthander from the Oakland Athletics in a trade for minor-league prospects Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matt Spencer. Blanton, 27, is just 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA this season, but the Phillies must think he’s an upgrade over what they have.
Brett Myers is expected to return to the rotation next Wednesday against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium, which seems to signal Adam Eaton’s move to the bullpen. Eaton is 1-4 with a 9.64 ERA in his last five starts, and has been inconistent at best since he joined the Phillies before the 2007 season.
Why Blanton over other pitchers out there? There could be a few reasons. Take away his four worst starts this season and he has a 3.58 ERA, which is more than respectable in the American League. He went 16-12 in 2006 and 14-10 in 2007, so he has a winning track record. He also has thrown more than 194 innings each of the past three seasons, which makes him an "innings eater" -- something Eaton is not. But he’s also intriguing because he can’t become a free agent until after the 2010 season, so this isn't a 2 1/2 month rental.
Who'd the Phillies give up?
Cardenas was a supplemental first-round pick in 2006, and one of the organization's top prospects. He was hitting .309 with four homers and 23 RBIs for single-A Clearwater. Outman, a 10th round pick in 2005, had been moved to the bullpen in double-A Reading. He is 4-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 28 relief appearances this season. And Spencer, a third-round pick last year, is hitting .249 with six homers and 41 RBIs for single-A Clearwater.
More to come ...
Update: Here's the story that appeared in today's paper.
Here's a look ahead to the Phillies' second half (it looks a lot better in the paper, by the way).
Posted by Todd Zolecki @ 7:16 PM
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178 comments
YUP...
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Eaton is a true tool!
so long Eaton...Blanton's not only an innings eater, apparently he's also a buffet eater. This guy makes Jon Lieber look like Shawn Bradley.
Wow, thats not good. They traded two of their top 10 prospects for a guy with a 5 ERA in a pitchers park who couldn't strike out Ryan Howard. Gillick just got fleeced. Even if Cardenas never would have played here, he had higher trade value even if they had to wait til the offseason. Ouch.
We would like to thank Adam Eaton for participating in this year's baseball season.
Well, it's a B list with some potential & track record at least. Works for me. Problem is, do we really want Eaton coming in the 6th or 7th inning and giving up 5 runs? His big inning potential scares me coming out of the bullpen. Of course now that he "found" his mechanical problem on tape, I expect he'll be fireman of the year.
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"Take away his four worst starts this season and he has a 3.58 ERA,"
And if you take away his four best starts, he has a 5.81 ERA.
This is why you don't pick and choose which games to count for cumulative stats.
Wow, his split stats are really bad, he is terrible away from oakland for his career, nearly a 5 ERA and a .292 batting avg against. this was a move for the sake of making one. Calling up Happ would have saved us prospects to use as trading chips later.
yea.......go away Adam Eaton.
Everyone needs to relax on trashing him before he even makes a start. Hes much better than Eaton and has proven he is capable of winning double digit games.
he's terrible. we blew our chance of becoming world series contenders by not getting harden or sabathia
gallen, i wish i could, but look at his career stats vs eatons, almost no difference, he's got a slightly worse w-l record and batting average against, and a slightly better era and whip. you'll be booing him until his contract runs out in 2010. cardenas was their top prospect according to BA, you dont give that up for a 4-5th starter, you call up a happ or carrasco to fill that spot. I am usually 100% behind the org, but this has disaster written all over it.
the Phillies seem really high on Blanton, so we shall see. As for getting fleeced or not, who knows. I'd rather see a new face on the mound than Adam Eaton. I still can't believe Adam Eaton is making 25 million dollars. By that scale, Cole Hamels should be making 250 million dollars.
Wow. I'm sorry, I'd like to be optimistic, but this seems like the baseball equivalent of liver and onions over prairie oysters. They both suck.
Let's face it, he has a much bigger upside than Adam Eaton, and these prospects aren't anywhere near the franchises most valuable. Outman WAS, but he's been in a downward spiral all year. As long as we keep Carrasco, Marson and Golson, (and Drabek) I don't care who they trade.
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One thing that worries me a little bit about this trade is the fact that it involved the Oakland A's, who have a pretty good track record when it comes to unloading pitchers (Mulder, Zito, etc.). At best, this move will work out like the Lohse deal did last year. At worst, he's arbitration eligible and we're stuck with him, eaton, and myers next year...
santadeservedit.blogspot.com
This guy sucks as much as Eaton.
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A.B.E
Anybody But Eaton
Phillies got Beaned.
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Do we still have to look at Adam Eaton???
Great trade! The Phillies only gave up their #2 and #4 prospects in the system for a #5 starter!
Adam Eaton is the worst player in baseball..
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comparing their ERA doesn't make much sense since it's AL vs. NL pitchers. But check out their ERA+. (The ratio of league ERA (park adjusted) vs the pitcher. 100 is average. >100 good. <100 bad. Eaton: 2007-73 and 2008-77. Blanton: 2007-106 and 2008-77. So this year, they're essentially the same pitcher. But Blanton's career high is 123 (in 2005) and Eaton's is 103 (in 2000). So, Eaton at his "best" is league average. Blanton has a lot more upside.
umm,,,i'm speechless,,,,,,,this is the best we could do? after what the brewers and cubs got? once again the phils go for the bargain basement trash heap stuff. i hope everyone realizes they will be extremely lucky to get near the world series and without homefield advantage you can forget winning it. Its sad that all of our sports teams have the same mantra, don't EVER overspend, just keep the team contending, to a point, keep the fans coming thru the turnstiles, just like mcnabb, the howard,utley,rollins era will come and go with no studs around them and no parade,,,,ahhh,,,woe is me....
good trade
You can't worry about prospects given up. I think this guy is a better deal than AJ Burnett, since he's under contract for another 2-1/2 seasons. He won 30 games total in 2006 and 2007. He's gotta be better than Adam Eaton.
It is a trade that will make zero difference now. It may hurt the future. Time will tell. I wished the GMs were traded. Then I would be extremely satisfied. Gillick is leaving. He does not care about this team's future. Blanton will get lit up at home. How can anyone justify the lack of confidence in Happ? Kendrick competes and gives the team a chance. Happ could do the same thing. Is Eaton leaving the rotation? That would make sense, however this organization never makes sense. Cardenas and Outman will have much longer stays in Oakland than Blanton in Philly. This team will finish third this year and no better next year without Burrell.
Phillies = CHEAP
another nothing move.....for a lousy 5th starter, this is why we have one, one world series in 118 years, and are at the tops of losing franchises in all of professional sports history, we will never win anything under this current ownership, have never and will never, another wasted year of baseball in this town.....
I am amazed how you can justify giving up two high prospects. Maybe it is time to find a number one GM. This organization may be the worse in baseball. I know it can't be ranked in the top 25. It isn't Blanton's fault if he fails. He is not a frontline pitcher. I would have kept the prospects and started Happ, Carassco or even the famous JD Durbin. At least, it would not have cost prospects. How can you feel good trading with Oakland. By the Phillies should have insisted on Haren when they gave away Rolen for Bud Smith. Polanco wasn't even kept.
I agree with RG...unless BLANDton steps it up, this is too much. Cardenas is hitting .300 and is only 20. He could be J-Roll's replacement in 4-5 years or have more trade value for someone better than this guy. Outman's ERA is pretty good but don't know enough about him. We shall see.
Good Pitcher. Better then AJ Burnett and a lot cheaper.
is it possible we now have a glut of starting pitching? wat about happ? he was leading the international league in strike outs for a month and was good when he came up. numerous scouts, in addition to his personal catcher lou marson, say carrasco is ready for the show. hes made more starts in the minors than both cole and kyle did. and this trade effectively removes eaton from the rotation and the approximate $12 million (equivalent to roughly 9% of entire payroll for the next season and a half) we still owe him. further, outmans era is around 3.20 in AA and hes striking ppl out at a rate of 8.5K/innings pitched. didnt we move him to the pen so he could fill the void of a lefty reliever. now gillick is gonna end up mortgaging more of the system for some lousy brian fuentes type. regardless of how good cardenas is, i dont see how blanton is much of an upgrade over happ or possibly carrasco. this trade seems like a covert manifestation of how cheap our stinking owners are. they can pay blanton nothing until 2010. the philly mag article said payroll is linked to attendance. well, weve packed the park over 30 times already this year. live in the sixth biggest market, have a new park, and our payroll is still 12th. what a joke. middleton need to step up and assert himself to his disengaged, archaic partners and start spending some of that $2.9 billion windfall he just recieved. its really getting sadistic at this point.
p.s. todd zolecki is from milwaukee and a packers fan? and he has the audacity to write that in his "about todd zolecki" blurb. no wonder hes so apathetic and disengaged in his coverage. cant we find a writer from philly who has the same passion as we do to do the beat??
maybe now we can dump Eaton or Myers for some bench help, and possibly use Happ as the 5th starter.
Are you kidding me? Gillick broke the first rule of trading: Don't trade with Billy Beane. Two of the top prosepects for a 4 or 5 starter? If they were to trade for pitching, it had to be a #2. This was a waste.
Cubs were able to get better pitchers from the A's for less talented prospects - wouldn't you rather have had Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin?
Eaton was a waste when the Phils signed him. Don't bust on Blanton, the A's generally have better players that come thru their farm. A's Farm system is much more superior than the Phils. All I am saying is just give him a chance. The Phils still may need the option to bring up Carrasco or Happ. Myers may be better off in the BP, thus not having days to think ahead. Gordon isn't that dependable, healthwise. Back in 1980 didn't they bring up Marty Bystrom who went 5-0 down the stretch, so why not Carrasco?
Yahmpy you are almost correct. If Adam Eaton is making 25 million, Cole Hamels should own Citizens Bank Park....and Shea Stadium...and Yemen. God Eaton sucks. Maybe the bullpen will help him. He is like the Chris Gratton of the Phillies: "Can we have our money back, please?" I say give this guy a shot before slamming him.
RG, you are completely correct...Blanton is Eaton in green/gold....absolutely no difference here........looks like we could have had Harden with the package we gave up to get this stiff....what a disappointment coming from this braintrust in the Phils front office........can you imagine the disappointment amongst the Phils players tonight....this is not the lift they were expecting to take them to their second consecutive title.......
I'm here to help Eaton pack his bags..paper or plastic?
Gave up too much for this guy! Everyone has good points. They will say they did this and not bring back Happ because Blanton has experience in the bigs and has won 16 games just two years ago. The Phils gave up too much for the season he is having this year though, he doesnt have good numbers at all. Who knows though, maybe he'll turn it around and pitch great, it is very possible! I remember a year or two ago the Phils said 2009 would be Carrasco's year to make the big club. I think they are determined to stick to that time line in fear of previous call up blunders.
Trade Eaton to Japan.
I don't feel good about this trade. I think they would have been better off doing nothing than making this trade. On the other hand (and I would love to see it), Blanton might fit in perfectly with the team and pitch well. Now they really need Myers to get his head around being a starter.
I think we all need to relax here, and see how this guy does with a chance of leagues and teams. I can't imagine anyone worse than Eaton. That last game sucked. Walking the number 8 hitter, then giving up a DOUBLE to Randy Johnson? Give him the mop.
I wish him well. He looks like a keeper.
This was a solid deal for the Phillies. He is 47-46 with a 4.25 ERA for his career(all AL). He is only 27 and he is under contract for two more years. He will give the Phillies innings and keeep them in ballgames. If Brett Myers pitches like he can, the Phillies have a decent rotation. Hamels, Myers, Blanton, Moyer and pitcher X should be good enough to take this division. Also, they kept both Carrasco and Marson. This was a good deal.
He's been winning more games than any pitcher but Hamels over the last few years. There are reasons some pitchers get more wins than others. I'm fine with this move. This is not the last one Gillick will make.
Sorry to revert, but YOU fans kill me. If they had done nothing YOU would complain. They trade three guys that were in SINGLE A. 20 yrs old who were years away from being competitve in the majors. Keep in mind the Phillies don't bring position players to the majors to play full time until 25-26 yrs of age(Howard Utley). In agreement with the masses that seem to pretty much agree with what I have said from day one--PAT GILLICK IS THE WORSE. HE IS THE KING OF MAKING A DEAL FOR A DEALS SAKE PERIOD. I say tht b/c I believe he could have done better and still met his goal of getting someone that would be around for a cple of yrs. If Blanton isn't any good remember its not his fault. Its not Garcia's fault that his arm was falling off and everyone knew it, its not even Eatons fault--IN UNISON ITS GILLICKS FAULT.
It's ridiculous to see the trade for Blanton as a positive based on Eaton's non-production! The two issues are unrelated. Forget Eaton and judge Blanton on his own merits. In my opinion that makes him a nothing and makes me ask, "Is that all there is out there that we could get? This guy is going to get us to the post season?" I'd much rather have Hap as a starter.
cheap and one grade above Eaton.
Can this paper trade Jim Salisbury to the Contra Costa Times for some of their prospects?
You people kill me - complain, complain, complain. Any prospect is a maybe. Maybe will make it in the bigs, maybe won't. Cardenas plays second - where was he ever goin to playin Philly? someone said SS, but he plays second for reason, or 2 - not a good enough arm, not good enough range, etc...that's why SS can become 2nd baseman, not visa versa. All 3 of them were a long way from "makin it". Who else did you want? Burnett? Crappy contract, same ERA as Blanton and would've had to give up Carrasco or Golson. Bedard? Head case who is currently on the DL, with a huge contract, and would've had to give up one of the 2 above. Not many other options out there and this is what you have to pay for pitching these days, especially a young guy who eats up innings. Maybe a change of venue and a move to the lesser NL will do it.
At least they are trying to do something.If Blanton`s good and Myers can be decent they could have a shot at the W.S..I realize they are both big if`s.We`ll have to wait and see what happens.
Wow did the Cubs get a better deal. We'll see what happens but it irks me that the Phils continue to leave pitchers in the minors for so long. Just look at what Oakland does
Truth made a lot of sense. I just don't like losing a 23 year old lefty in the deal. He could have helped the pen this year.
Happ showed the organization tonight. He pitched 7 innings with 12 strike outs. Heck, will the organization trade him for a bad rent-a-player from Colorado?
The next move Gillick should make, is choosing a retirement home. God he is horrible. Does he have Alzheimers?
Poor J.A. Happ threw seven innings of no-hit ball tonight vs. Scranton(he completed an earlier game that was suspended after 2 innings), and now that won't be good enough to earn him the promotion, with Myers and Blanton joining the rotation.
Before everyone starts blasting Gillick he has made some deals and signings that have worked for us. He's made Victorino a full time starter, he's brought in Werth, Romero, Moyer, Durbin, Lidge, and last year he made a similar deal for a guy with similar stats in Loshe (who was pitching poorly in a NL hitter's park) and they've all worked out quite fine. The guy's done well with limited resources from management. Not all teams can spend like the Steinbrenners.
I'll reserve judgment on Blanton til we see him in action. On the surface it seems iffy at best, with a goal of just patching leaks rather than actually improving. You get the feeling the Phils brass is almost happy to get rid of prospects so we don't have to pay them someday. But hey, we don't have the job, Pat does. We'll see how it pans out. I'll say this: It will be a welcome sight to see someone OTHER than Adam Eaton take the mound. Brett... we need ya now!
Can this paper trade Jim Salisbury to the San Jose Mercury for some of their prospects?
Salisbury is the Adam Eaton of the sports dept.
Offers little and probably gets paid too much.
If Myers stinks again next week, put him in the where he wants to be.
He can stink there as well. Happ showed Gillick tonight. The organization must trust their young arms. Please, no more trades because it is hurting, not helping.
Why do we only get retread pitchers? This guy is an upgrade is a literal sense.....but in reality it is more of a lateral move......we HAD a washout who couldn't pitch far into a game......now we have a washout who can pitch deep......
RG - Keep in mind that being the Phillies #1 prospect (and it's debatable that Caardenas was) is not the same as being many other teams' #1 prospect. Lack of talent in our farm system is the reason why we couldn't land Sabathia in the 1st place.
RG - Keep in mind that being the Phillies #1 prospect (and it's debatable that Caardenas was) is not the same as being many other teams' #1 prospect. Lack of talent in our farm system is the reason why we couldn't land Sabathia in the 1st place.
hopefully this is an upgrade for the phillies tho i think trading away 2 of their top prospects wasnt very smart.
Anyone has to be beter than Eaton. I just hope they haven't given up too many of their better prospects for a suspect pitcher.
"This is why you don't pick and choose which games to count for cumulative stats."
markdlv, you said it! I don't mind taking away one horrible game, like Gordon's March debacle, but three or four? Too much. It reminds me of stats like: the Phillies are 10-1 in games they hit a grand slam (duh!) or the Phillies are winless in games they don't score a run. Totally pointless.
True, this organization does not have many prospects. Outman was the guy that WILL hurt.
Gillick has a pretty good record of in-season pickups, so how about we see how this works out? There's a reason Pat Gillick has had a long, successful career as a major-league GM, and a reason we're all making anonymous comments on the internet. Keep in mind, Lidge's stats weren't so hot for the past two years either.
and just b/c someone is a "top 10" prospect in the Phils' farm system doesn't mean he is a "top" prospect. it's a pretty low bar right now.
I agree with fatdarren in that we should have gone for Harden--I don't think we have enough in our farm system to have gotten Sabathia. I hope Blanton will benefit from the change in scenery. Clearly Adam Eaton doesn't belong in ANY rotation as a starter. Let's give Blanton a chance. Whether we blew our chance to get to the WS--only time will tell.
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Keep in mind that up until this year his record was 42-34 which isn't that bad considering the line-ups that have been behind him. You're talking about a team that USES a DH and has scored 71 less runs than the Phillies. I think he'll be alright, remember he won't have to face a DH unless he's pitching in the world series...that should lower his ERA.
Blanton = Eaton. Same thing. 5-12, almost 5 ERA. They gave up Cardenas who could have been trade bait for a better pitcher. We can only hope Gillick saw something we aren't seeing.
i like how every player we trade away is the next Babe Ruth...you people crack me up. the sky is falling!
Remember all, Lohse wasn't blowing anyone away last year until after we traded for him. Let's wait and see, this could be better than anyone is expecting.
Same old story year after year, can't get the # 1 in Sabathia or #2 in Harden, so we settle with Sid Fernandez's twin. This guy is an innings EATER literally.
cardenas was acquired as trade bait according to one account i've read. in addition, he was never viewed as future replacement for j-roll. the phils quite possibly drafted that player in the first round of this year's first-year-player draft: anthony hewitt (SS), though i have read some speculation that the organization may try him at third, if he ends up on a fast track to the show. apparently he is good hitting prospect with potential to develop power, has terrific range and a cannon for an arm. indeed, we were out of any very good options for acquiring a major league SP, after sabathia and harden were dealt. and like one reader commented, let's wait and see. perhaps the change of scenery will do blanton some good. he's no sabathia, but the chance we're taking with blanton is a sight better than adam eaton. and all of us who follow the phillies know that the organization is not one to rush talent. j.a. happ will likely get another chance, esp. in sept. and if he's already on the 40 man roster, and he acquits himself well, then maybe, if the phils get to the post season, we will see a roster of hamels, meyers or happ, moyer, blanton, and kendrick.
Let's be realistic. We did not acquire Blanton to be our #1 or even #2 pitcher. The Phils still have to hope Myers gets his act together to be a solid #2. What Blanton gives you is a quality #3 or 4 starter. Keep in mind, he was Oakland's Opening Day starter, not Harden. He'll likely be significantly better than the pitcher he's facing which is not something that can be said for Moyer or Kendrick, at best they are a wash. The real question is who becomes the 5th starter now? Will it be Kendrick because he's more inconsistent or Moyer so they can use him less often and keep his innings count down so he's fresher at the end of the year?
As for Cardenas, being a team's #1 prospect means just baout zero. Will Pennyfeather, Wes Chamberlain, Phil Plantier, Kevin Maas, Drew Henson and D'Angelo Jimenez were all "top prospects" at some point. unitl they get to the bigs and prove they can play it means nothing and often the player has better value when nobody knows about them. So he's hitting in A Ball. Great. I'm pretty sure I can hit in A ball. Am I a top prospect?
If the Phils had any guts, and werent so cheap, they'd just waive Eaton already and deal with the money they owe him. I mean its just ridiculous already. If they plan on moving him to the bullpen he better not even get near that mound unless theyre winning or losing by 10 runs
Good pickup - He's got an ERA just under 5 but the A's have given him zero run support They've scored 3 runs or less in 9 of his 12 losses!
What a waste. Picking from the scrap heap again. I'm sure the Red Sox and Cubs are quaking in their boots that in a short series they will have to "deal with" Hamels, Moyer and Blanton. What a killer top 3.
The sad thing is that we gave up more legit prospects in this trade than we got for Schilling, Rolen and Abreu combined. Uggh.
Very good move. This kid has the stuff to be a competent number two. Didn't give up our best prospect either. I am very excited for the second half of the season.
This is a good move- remember a few things: 1. Kendrick and Moyer do not go deep into games, we need an innings eater (the fact that he is obviously a buffet eater, too, comes as a bonus). 2. Criticize Gillick for some of his big moves but his deals for "B" pitchers at the trade deadline (Moyer in 2005, Lohse last year) have worked out well. 3. Starting pitching is at a premium in this league; if you want to get a starter you have to give up talent. 4. He's signed for two more years; Moyer is a f/a after this year and at 45 will not be back. 5. Right now Blanton is better than Myers and Eaton. 6. Wait until the deadline to judge all of the team's moves- I saw this team as an 85-86 win team before they made any moves. If they add Blanton, a lefty arm in the pen and another bat of the bench (bye-bye, Taguchi) that should get them to 90 wins and the playoffs.
This is a good move- remember a few things: 1. Kendrick and Moyer do not go deep into games, we need an innings eater (the fact that he is obviously a buffet eater, too, comes as a bonus). 2. Criticize Gillick for some of his big moves but his deals for "B" pitchers at the trade deadline (Moyer in 2005, Lohse last year) have worked out well. 3. Starting pitching is at a premium in this league; if you want to get a starter you have to give up talent. 4. He's signed for two more years; Moyer is a f/a after this year and at 45 will not be back. 5. Right now Blanton is better than Myers and Eaton. 6. Wait until the deadline to judge all of the team's moves- I saw this team as an 85-86 win team before they made any moves. If they add Blanton, a lefty arm in the pen and another bat of the bench (bye-bye, Taguchi) that should get them to 90 wins and the playoffs.
I hope this isn't the big "top of the rotation" starter that Manuel said they needed to go out and get.
This guy is a slight upgrade over Eaton, but I guess any upgrade is better than him.
I just hope there is another, bigger move to come for more pitching...... but its the Phillies and deep down I know there won't be.
Any trade that gets Eaton out of the starting rotation is a good trade.
Better then Eaton has been lately but they paid a steep price. Billy Beane doesnt get beat on too many trades & he knows when to let pitchers go.
Meanwhile Happ was throwing 7 innings of no hit no run ball vs AAA Yankees.
I think this was a poor deal. Either Outman OR Cardenas, but not BOTH.
Our GMS trade our stars as mentioned (Rolen and Shilling etc.) and get very little. The Phillies trade prospects and get an average starter. Outman will be a productive player. Beane knows players. We should trade for him. Ha!
rg, didn't eaton pitch in pitcher friendly park in San Diego while Blanton pitched in the AL with DH? I think there is a major difference. Also, compare inning pitched per year................
This guy had the most losses last season, gave up the host hits, and tied for most games pitched. He might be a tank, but he's a tank without a gun.
Does anyone have a cyanide pill for me ? I prefer the little green ones. Blanton an upgrade ? Has anyone checked Gillick's pulse lately ?
I would prefer David Well's to this guy, any day of the week.
Every time Eaton, Myers, and Blanton lose, the Phillies will just burp, and say "excuse me", and make meandering comments about the tough trade market out there----and how that grand slam these guy's just gave up, would have been a foul ball if the stadium winds had just picked up about 40 knots.
They traded a couple of good prospects. Outman was supposed to have potential. I agree that it's a cheap move instead of getting Sabathia. It's very possible however that they ccouldn't get him with what they had.
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I don't trust Myers one bit. If he turns it around good for them. But it's unlikely. He looks like he's shot.
The guy pitches in the AL, so you can probably knock off one ER/game to start with.
I think an important fact to consider is that there really aren't any #1 or even good #2 starters available right now. We tried to get Sabathia but just did not have the goods. While Harden is a stud when healthy, his track records SCREAMS that his health will break down at some point every season...he is just too risky. Would I like to have a Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy or Roy Halladay? Sure, but it is simply not possible at this time. If getting a #1 or #2 was so easy, don't you think the Yankees would have one by now? Blanton has been around long enough that his track record is sound...he'll be a good #3, #4 guy. And do not discount the fact that he generally pitches 6-7 innings. That is very important, especially since Kendrick routinely goes five, Moyer goes six, and who knows what Myers will give you on any given night. Hey, every team needs an innings-eater and good #3 and #4, and since there was no way we were getting a #1, I'm glad we're at least trying something that has some promise. If we are realistic, we should have been mad in the offseason and in spring training when the team counted on Eaton to be a contributing member of the staff. From day one I did not see why we signed him for the ridiculous salary he was given. THAT was crazy.
On the day the Phils trade for Blanton, Happ throws a true gem in AAA -
7 ip 0 h 0 er 1 bb 12 k, 71 of 102 for strikes
Kinda ironic?
Happ's wasting away in the minors, where he doesn't belong. He doesn't really fit as a reliever. He belongs in SOMEONE's major league rotation and could settle in as a league average starter. Maybe a hair better at his best.
Pat Gillick is the only GM that valued Joe Blanton more than Rich Harden... unbelievable. The Cubs gave the same or less in talent for Rich Harden. The Phils like innings eaters for pitchers like the past Flyers liked muckers. It is obvious that Gillick doesn't have a clue when it comes to starting pitchers (i.e. signs Adam Eaton, not signing Lohse or Harden, etc.). Cardenas has potential to be a star. What scouts are recommending this trade or is it all Gillick?
Gillick has made some decent moves to bolster the rotation in midseason, we should atleast give him the benefit of the doubt and let Blanton get a few starts and see if any other deals shake loose...Remember, we probably miss the playoffs last year if it wasn't for Lohse, and Moyer is still our second or third best starter.
Blanton will be meat for the lefties in the Mets lineup. Watch his ERA go UP courtesy of Citizens cigar box. Somebody tell me where our 7.5 game lead went? We're doomed!
Get real. Anything under 5.00 is good in the AL. Besides, if the Phils can't average more then 5 runs a game, we can forget the play-offs. We're better now with him (Benton). And I say keep Myers down longer and let the kid Happ keep going. There won't be another trip to the minors for Myers. So let's make sure he's good and ready. We need to win this series against FLA.
Here we are making front page news out of acquiring a .500 pitcher in the middle of his worst year while in NY they're celebrating 1st place. Like two ships passing and ours is taking on water fast. I want to scream. We're doomed!
i think this is a great trade. the guys over at the philly blog ReclinerGM agree (and back it up). If you are feeling down about this trade, this post might help.
http://www.reclinergm.com/joe-blanton-to-the-phillies-phillies-fans-react-with-negativity/
Baseball America rankings are meaningless. Last time I checked, Baseball America isn't a MLB organization with on players on its roster. They are no more reliable than college football polls. Plus, the rankings are relative. One team could have 10 prospects better than another team's best prospect. Outman isn't the 2nd coming of Joba Chamberlain and Cardenas isn't the next Chase Utley. Other teams have been after Carrasco, Marson and Donald. Those are the Phillies top prospects. You can tell that they are really the top prospects because every other MLB team wants them. If you think the 3 guys traded today could have gotten us Sabathia, then you're crazy. We traded 2nd tier prospects for a 2nd tier guy. We didn't trade our top prospects so people need to get over that.
Once again the Phillies went into the trashcan and found a scrap. They make me sick. He is 5-12 with almost 5 era. AHAHAHAHAHHAAH. And believe me they won't get rid of Eaton. As long as they are paying him he will get his turn in the rotation. They have never released a person from their contract. They just won't renew it. But they won't pay anyone even one red cent without them working no matter how he hurts the team. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
Here's what old man Gillick should've done. Trade for Matt Holliday. Replace Myers and Eaton with Happ and Cardenas. Blanton is a stiff. We traded away 2 of our best prospects for him. Gillick is a bafoon.
In Blanton's last start on July 9th, he gave up 6 runs in 6 innings.. 2 starts prior, he gave up 7 runs in 4 innings on June 29th, and 2 outings prior to that, on June 18th, he gave up 8 runs in 3 innings.. I don't see how this guy's an upgrade over Eaton
The Phillies got Blanton so they can sign him to a long-term deal. They didn't want to get burned like they did with Lohse and Burnett is a free agent at the end of the year. The only other talk was about the Giants' reliever. And this guy's got to be better than Eaton, which isn't saying much.
Wow...the Phillies did exactly what I unfortunately assumed they would do: pick up a cheap pitcher to replace Adam Eaton with numbers almost as bad. Phillies management - There are two reasons why you pick up a solid starter at this point in the season: 1. To substantially improve your pitching staff. 2. To let your team know you are serious about winning a World Series. Unfortunately you have accomplished nether..especially the latter.
it's a crapshoot..but were not gonna get CC or Harden....not enough to offer unless it was Shane and top prospects...you don't give all that up for the short term..this guy is young...and has won in the past..and anything is better than Adam Eaton right now..
Blanton replaces Eaton, now we await Myers replacement. I see where Happ just pitched seven hitless innings with 12 strikeouts against Ian Kennedy and the Yankees AAA team. Hey Brett, what's that sound you hear off in the distance, why it's the bus to the bullpen. Don't worry you will feel much more comfortable out there. We need bullpen help anyway. So Happ coming in to replace you as a starter will be a plus all around. So, the starting rotation for the last sixty plus games of the 2008 season will be Hamels, Moyer, Kendrick, Blanton, and Happ. We'll have to wait and see how it turns out.
this is a good trade....it gets eaton out of the rotation and into the bullpen, where his main job should be getting the guys crabfries, and gets a guy into the rotation with a competitive edge. his numbers aren't good, but he'll throw a lot of innings and has a lot of heart, unlike bedard. it's an upgrade and they did it without giving up carrasco. good trade!
They gave up 2 single A prospects and 1 AA guy. All who were years away from the majors. Sure Cardenas had "potential" but if he was our top prospect and he was in Single A then I worry more about our farm system. Blanton was a good pick up who did not cost our more valuable pitching prospects.
Let's give the guy a chance. Being tied for the division lead in mid-July is no time to get overly giddy or panicky. That's why they play 162 games. Also, let's stop exaggerating how hitter friendly the Bank is: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor
Bring back Roberts and Simmons. At least they're still alive!
FWIW, the AL's era is LOWER this year (4.12) than the NL (4.25). Even if you factor out Colorado's 4.93 (which is not the highest in the NL), the NL still has a higher ERA. Blanton having a 5 ERA in the AL, with a 4.63 ERA in a pitcher's park like Oakland, isn't very good at all.
The trade in and of itself doesn't look too bad. Most of the minor leaguers were stuck behind Phils' position players so in that regard the trade is OK. It also could mean (mercifully) the end of having to watch Eaton every 5th day. It was like waiting for the other shoe to drop. You knew he was going to implode, you just didn't know when.
Happ is still my guy for the rotation. Perhaps they're holding him in case Myers hasn't gotten his head straight yet.
Bob Stockton
Jacksonville, Fl.
I respect that you want to give Blanton a shot, and we should, but if you look at his career home-road splits, you should be terrified that he's moving to CBP. also look at how his k/per 9 has dropped drastically, and was never that impressive. He's simply lost his stuff or may be injured. Beane knows what he is doing. Oakland fans are rejopicing thsi trade simply because of subtracting Blanton. As for rospect rankings, I don't disagree, my point is more could have been gotten with Cardenas and Outman. Plus, Golson is NOT better than Cardenas, poor plate discipline (look at his k/bb rate) and a bad mechanics on his swing. Cardenas is already a more polished hitter.
The Arbuckle/Amaro braintrust have done their best Dr. Phil assessment on this guy and what do you know? He has that bulldog mentality....he wants the ball, he wants to finish games and eat innings....something Eaton is not capable of doing...shouldn't they have known this before they signed Eaton? Aren't we tired of giving up 2-3 decent prospects for a middle of the rotation starter? If you're gonna deplete your farm system, why not do it for a stud #1-#2? It won't do this team any good if Blanton adheres to his numbers....going 8 innings and giving up 5 runs is not much of an improvement over what we currently have. Meanwhile Lohse is 12-2 with his sinker, Floyd is like 12-3 and Saunders with the Angels is 12-2...that's 34 wins this year with pitchers the Phils had in house.....guess their Dr. Phil scores weren't good enough to keep em'...........
On balance, it's not a bad trade. The Phillies' scouts clearly see potential in Blanton, so he should be given the benefit of the doubt, even if struggles in his first couple of outings. But was it necessary? Where does this leave J.A. Happ? And would it have been better to throw in another good pitcher and get the A's to give up someone like Trevor Cahill? What happens to Myers? He has earned another start or two before the trading deadline. If he flops, maybe he goes to the Yankees, who might be willing to take on some of his salary. Throw in another player and ask for Ross Ohlendorf.
Santa Clause has answered my prayers!
Sparerib, you are incorrect. Last year Blanton had less losses then Moyer and less then Lohse also. Therefore your theory on him having the most losses last year is incorrect. His ERA was at 3.95 which if I remember correctly that would have give him an ERA less then any Phils starter not named Cole Hamels or Kyle Kendrick.
Also, I saw someone say that Kendrick and Moyer are washes this year, I disagree, both are on their way to double digit wins this year and Kyle's only lost 3 games and Moyer's ERA is at 3.95 now.
Also, I saw someone say that Kendrick and Moyer are washes this year, I disagree, both are on their way to double digit wins this year and Kyle's only lost 3 games and Moyer's ERA is at 3.95 now.
DRPA announced 2 lanes will be closed today in each direction on the Walt Whitman bridge. A spokeman said the expected rush of Phillies fans that will be jumping off the bridge may cause traffic problems. The ARCO Go-Patrol will be in the air to monitor the tie ups, expect slow traffic during rush hour. How about we give the guy a chance to pitch here and see what he does before we all jump?
Was this written by Todd Zolecki or Dave Spadaro? Hey Todd, if you take away the Phils 3 losses in the playoffs last year they're still in it!
Good trade. Who cares about giving up minor leaguers.
While Blanton is an upgrade to our rotation for sure, its disappointing that we couldn't land someone better. Kyle Lohse had a much worse rack record than Blanton in the AL before finding success recently in the NL. I rate this move a B.
What, exactly, is Eaton going to do in the bullpen? You can't use him in clutch situations, and he's not a guy you can count on for multiple innings in a blowout. And who do you drop from the existing 'pen to create a spot for him? Gillick's overall tenure hasn't been bad, but the Eaton and Garcia signings will definitely form a huge part of his legacy.
This works only if the Phils back into a winning second half team inspite of themselves just like they did in 06 with the Abreu trade and last year with Kendrick. Myers needs to go to the pen as the 8th inning guy and Happ needs to turn out to be the No. 2 the Phils so desparately need. No way can a team continue to have a No. 2 and expect to get to post season whose team record is 4-13 in his starts, and needed to be sent out to the minors where they had to turn off the stadiums radar gun readings in order not to show just how much Myers has lost off his fastball.
Why do people continually bring up the current success of Floyd and Lohse? Gavin Floyd was terrible for quite a few years before the Phils finally gave up on him (and at the time, EVERYBODY thought the Garcia signing was a relatively good move) and I don't recall many people outraged that Floyd was traded. As for Lohse, I believe that he turned down more money from the Phillies. Could the Phils have offered another deal when Lohse found out he wasn't going to do any better than the Phils' offer? Yes, but I don't blame Gillick for moving on at that point. Prior to this season, Lohse was just your typical 4th or 5th starter...nothing more. And, I believe St. Louis' pitching coach is a huge reason why he is doing so well this season. Lohse would not be this good if he wwas still a Phillie. Also, bringing up Saunders is a bit crazy...why don't we dredge up the Sandberg debacle as well?
The scary thing here people is that Blanton goes to the 'pen! I think this trade like the Lidge signing is designed to get Myers going, to send him a message. I think we are looking at: Hamels, Myers(who will get the message), Kendrick, Moyer(A Philly folk hero) Happ. How can they keep him in the minors after his last three starts incl last night in the minors? They CAN'T send Eaton to the 'pen-his worse possible place. How the heck can you bring the guy in when the game is close? Gillick is the worse GM in baseball. They would have been better going after Fuentes or Holliday to replace Jenkins. I really believe I could do much better.
This trade is terrible. You can't simply evaluate prospects by what they are expected to be on average-- Cardenas had the potential to turn into a top 2B in the next few years and be traded for something far better. Just because he wasn't going to play 2B here doesn't mean that he couldn't have been traded to any of the other 28 teams not involved in this trade.
Blanton is simply not the kind of pitcher who will succeed in Philly. It blows my mind how the Phillies have failed to acquire groundball pitchers when those pitchers would be comparatively much more useful for them than other teams. A guy like Blanton may not have an atrocious ratio of groundballs to flyballs, but his ratio of flyballs to at bats is very high since he strikes so few people out. Pitchers like him don't succeed in CBP. He's an upgrade over Adam Eaton but we could have done far better than this, especially in giving up a guy with the potential of Cardenas.
This still leaves the team with a #1, five #5s, and an Eaton. They needed to trade a few solid prospects for a top guy if they were going to make the trade. This doesn't change the picture for this year much, it doesn't get the type of pitcher who has a comparative advantage in the playoffs, and it gives away one of our best trading chips who we could have traded at any point in the next three years.
To quote Mr. Horse (of "Ren and Stimpy" fame) "No sir, I don't like it." Blanton will help, and he's a vast improvement over Eaton (but them so would be my dog), but Happ pitched well enough to get that spot and the prospects traded could have added someone better, or a catcher or left-handed reliever. The biggest reason I don't like it is that the Cubs got Harden AND Gaudin for basically 4 stiffs/mid-level guys and we get a weaker pitcher in Blanton (would probably would be a 10-13 game winner here) for two better prospects. I'd be much happier having only given up Outman and Spencer and saving Cardenas for a different deal.
I don't know Rich Dubee personally, in fact I haven't known any of the Phils pitching coaches personally. However, I have seen their work and results over many years and it is difficult to understand. We seem to use psychological approaches with pitchers that need their mechanics tweaked or conditioning improved and we tweak mechanics of pitchers who are alcoholics, lack backbone or are just head cases. We've tried to teach changeups to guys that have perfected pounding the zone down and getting groundball outs, only to watch the flyballs and walks increase (Kendrick). We never seem to get it right. All around baseball, I see former Phils winning 11, 12, 13 games already this year. Guys we had, guys we didn't want for one reason or another. Guys we couldn't handle, teach or stomach any longer. But they're winning more games than our much heralded ace, our stud #1 is winning, and the rest of the staff, well that's hard to stomach and watch. I love Jamie Moyer but any serious contender knows you're not winning any championships with a guy throwing 60mph for 6 innings and going 14-12 every year. It's not all the Bank either. This has been an ongoing Philllies phenomenon for decades across multiple stadiums. We need studs, not more Garcias, Eatons, Blantons, etc. Maybe Happ (Mr. 12 K) and Carrasco (The World Team starting pitcher)are those studs we've been missing. For God's sake don't let our pitching coaches near them....let's see what they do on their own. Get'm up here and let'm pitch now, not in Sept when we're 10 games back setting up for next year.
I don't know Rich Dubee personally, in fact I haven't known any of the Phils pitching coaches personally. However, I have seen their work and results over many years and it is difficult to understand. We seem to use psychological approaches with pitchers that need their mechanics tweaked or conditioning improved and we tweak mechanics of pitchers who are alcoholics, lack backbone or are just head cases. We've tried to teach changeups to guys that have perfected pounding the zone down and getting groundball outs, only to watch the flyballs and walks increase (Kendrick). We never seem to get it right. All around baseball, I see former Phils winning 11, 12, 13 games already this year. Guys we had, guys we didn't want for one reason or another. Guys we couldn't handle, teach or stomach any longer. But they're winning more games than our much heralded ace, our stud #1 is winning, and the rest of the staff, well that's hard to stomach and watch. I love Jamie Moyer but any serious contender knows you're not winning any championships with a guy throwing 60mph for 6 innings and going 14-12 every year. It's not all the Bank either. This has been an ongoing Philllies phenomenon for decades across multiple stadiums. We need studs, not more Garcias, Eatons, Blantons, etc. Maybe Happ (Mr. 12 K) and Carrasco (The World Team starting pitcher)are those studs we've been missing. For God's sake don't let our pitching coaches near them....let's see what they do on their own. Get'm up here and let'm pitch now, not in Sept when we're 10 games back setting up for next year.
Let's just wait and see with this one.. The Phillies seem to be good at picking up these "B-List" pitchers. Kyle Lohse didn't have good numbers when he was brought in. I remember one comment about Kyle's ERA being over 4 not being a problem since the Phillies offense was averaging over 6 runs per game.
Yeah, but this offense is not averaging 5 runs /game this year and unfortunately that is Blanton's ERA this year....
The b_tching and moaning that we are seeing on this blog today is the same rhetoric that we saw just after midseason acquistions (in succession) of Cory Lidle, Jamie Moyer, and Kyle Lohse. Nuff said?
Comment removed.
Mark1npt---Five stars for your last post. That was as real as gets on this blog!
RAS- Lets see Moyer, Lidle, Lohse and how many playoff victories? Get a clue and then get real. You must like losing and therefore obviously think like a loser. You have Philadelphia syndrome.
The rest of us want a winner!
I can't fault Phillies management on these moves. All three pitchers performed well (winning records) after they got here. Therefore, all were good (not great) mid-season acquisitions. Based on this TREND, I believe that Gillick should get the benefit of the doubt at this juncture. Blanton is not a half season rental either as opposed to Sabathia et al. They'll have him for two more seasons. Gillick's off season moves are another story...
Lohse, Lidle, and Moyer were all decent acquisitions because they cost the Philles very little (Javon Moran, whose back in the org, Matt Maloney, and a couple other guys). This time around we got a similiar type of pitcher for a much higher cost. Not good.
Rg why the heck do you care about the cost? We have packed this stadium for the last few yrs. Do you really buy the "were a small market team"....
I mean prospects by cost. As for payroll, stop with that tired line. They are in the top 10 and have significantly increased it over the past decade. They tried the free agent or trade route and it didn't work (Thome, Millwood, Milton, Eaton, Bell, etc.). They didn't have the prospects to deal for CC a) because they lost draft picks signing some of the above, and b) they've had some poor drafts. You want to criticize them for their drafting, fine. But the cheap line is an old talking point that needs to go away.
Sorry, they are actually 13th, with such luminaries as Seattle, Toronto and the Dodgers ahead of them.
I think they wanted Blanton because of the contract not being up till 2010. Hopefully their plan is to sign Sabathia or Sheets in the offseason........ =) Hamels-Sabathia/Sheets-Myers?-Blanton-Kendrick/Happ/Moyer/Eaton. Hopefully Eaton is gone by then.
Have any of you well informed Philies fans bothered to peruse the Oakland Tribune today? Here's some snippets from that site: " Starting pitcher Joe Blanton goes to the Philadelphia Phillies for three prospects that casual fans have barely heard of, if at all. Two of them, second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer have not played above Single-A. Oufielder Matt Spencer just reached Double-A..... A’s fans, will you ever go to another game? ...Do they doubt their franchise's stated intentions, to cough up big league talent for minor league prospects in hopes of boasting a stable contender inside Fremont's Cisco Field come 2012, or 2013, or 2014 and beyond?" *** back to RAS post ... Oakland feels like they got shafted (again, see Zito, Haren, Harden) by trading starting pitching for 2 A ball players and a scrub AA outfielder. In other words, the COST was too high from their persepective. A lawyer friend of mine (relax, he's a good guy)once told me that the ideal settlement in a lawsuit is when neither side is happy with the result. So this is what we have today in Philly and Oakland
Wow! People have come out the woodwork on this one! Common sense seems to say that we haven't really seen Blanton in action and we should give him a chance before we decide he's the next Eaton. The Phils had to make some kind of move in order to possibly be a contender. Obviously its not Sabathia or Harden, but hopefully if Myers gets his act together the pitching staff might be reasonable okay enough to win. Plus I'm hope that the 2nd half offensive surge starts tonight! GO PHILS!
Truth, we all know you think you can do better then Gillick but when you get in there and they tell you, "You have this much to spend", you won't be as creative and will blow up the little bit we have in the minors. Not to mention you would have wasted all the money they alloted you on signing Howard to an A-Rod like contract even though he doesn't put up A-Rod overall numbers.
Johnnysanz3, I love your way of thinking but that isn't going to happen. Neither Sheets nor Sabathia will take a 3-4 year deal that the Phils will likely offer (if they even do).
RAS, I'm with you on this. I believe this is a fair deal on both sides, everyone seems to have been banking on guys that may or may not be career minor leaguers. There's no guarantee that Cardenas is the second coming of Utley...he's only playing A ball right now. I've been hearing about him from people on here for over a year now it seems yet he's ONLY in A ball. There are guys that have been great in A ball but have been horrible in AA or AAA and never even make it to the show.
Mark1npt, you mentioned Blanton's ERA this year and this is a point that everyone seems to be forgetting...he was pitching in the AL a leagues whose All-Stars have proven over the last 11 years to be superior hitters to the NL All-Stars. Anyone's ERA will generally be higher in the AL since you are pitching to 9 hitters in a lineup and not 8 hitters and a pitcher. Take Boston or the Yanks for instance, when they play inter-league they have to pull a bat from the lineup, not add one. His ERA will be better in the NL probably closer to the low 4 range because he won't have enough starts to get it to the 3 range. You'll all be surprised in the end. Oh and he's pitched 2 scoreless innings in the playoffs.
RAS, I'm with you on this. I believe this is a fair deal on both sides, everyone seems to have been banking on guys that may or may not be career minor leaguers. There's no guarantee that Cardenas is the second coming of Utley...he's only playing A ball right now. I've been hearing about him from people on here for over a year now it seems yet he's ONLY in A ball. There are guys that have been great in A ball but have been horrible in AA or AAA and never even make it to the show.
Mark1npt, you mentioned Blanton's ERA this year and this is a point that everyone seems to be forgetting...he was pitching in the AL a leagues whose All-Stars have proven over the last 11 years to be superior hitters to the NL All-Stars. Anyone's ERA will generally be higher in the AL since you are pitching to 9 hitters in a lineup and not 8 hitters and a pitcher. Take Boston or the Yanks for instance, when they play inter-league they have to pull a bat from the lineup, not add one. His ERA will be better in the NL probably closer to the low 4 range because he won't have enough starts to get it to the 3 range. You'll all be surprised in the end. Oh and he's pitched 2 scoreless innings in the playoffs.
Blanton'scareer stats: 47-46, 4.25. Shave a half point off the ERA for the DH factor (apparently that's the going rate)and we have a pitcher with a winning record and a career ERA of ~3.75 for a lousy A's club. He's listed as 6'3" and 255. So my only concern is that my blimp meter needle is starting to come off the wall. They'll need to get him off the Twinkies.
RAS, I will agree with you on the weight thing. I think maybe 3/4 of a point for the switch from AL to NL will be good. So I'm guessing the ERA will be somewhere in the high 3 to low 4 range, still not too bad though.
Comment removed.
This is tough. I think the move is good because NL hitters are unfamiliar with him - advantage Blanton. But the expectations will be high - fans will expect Sabathia-like results. Not fair. It's an improvement over Eaton and the current mystery-Myers for sure. Get Happ back up too.
Mark1npt: Good points, but I'd take Moyer over alot of guys in the playoffs. If I remember correctly, Moyer pitched great in his post season start last year, as usual though, the offense didnt show up. Moyer knows how to PITCH, he knows how to get guys out. Sure he has some bad games, but in big games he shows up, just like he did down the stretch last year. Now lets defend that division title!!!!!
Why would Gillick make a deal with Billy Beane? Hasn't he read Moneyball?
The Mets add Santana and we get Blanton? Please tell me we're not done? This team needed to keep Rowand and we let him walk!
Let's bring in Holliday and blow this division away! Burrell, Holliday and Victorino and Werth can back up all three. I've seen enough of Jenkins....
The deal was not needed. There were other options. (Happ and Carassco) Carassco pitched great tonight. Happ pitched well last night. Why do scouts from other organizations want them and the Phillies continue to be unwilling to use them? I am afraid another, even worse deal is on the horizon. Plenty of scouts watched Carassco tonight.
The Phillies simply don't hit with RISP and two outs. I wonder what % of the their runs come from hrs?
Moyer is unbelievable. I hope he becomes a piching coach in the organization when he retires. What he does is remarkable?
Myers loses at Clearwater. Maybe, the focus should to Myers. Should Happ replace him? Blanton will compete and not cry. Give him a chance.
Great win 2nite! Moyer is the MAN!! I kinda hope Myers fails as a starter, and after 3-4 bad starts, he goes to the pen and they bring back Happ. Myers belongs in the pen, its soooo obvious to everyone except the decision makers in the orginization. Bring up the young guns already!!!!
Like many, I'm in a *wait and see* mode on this one. Blanton's record doesn't *look* all that great. Using the "he didn't get much run support" reasoning. Hopefully, our offensive will get going again and help him out. Tonight's game gave us a glimmer of hope in that respect. Chase had TWO hits! Hopefully he's returning to form! Jenkin's had two hits. Including a HR! Even Ruiz had a hit. LOL! And of course, "The Big Guy" came through!!!
Clinton, I agree with you on Moyer winning a playoff game and I know he knows how to deal with the pressure, I love the guy but there is just no intimidation factor....power pitching is USUALLY what wins titles....I just don't see a softie winning the Series for us unless they move the Marlins to the AL and we play them for the title. Maybe a Carrasco for Roy Halladay trade would shake everybody up, huh? It's pretty obvious Myers has no business being in the starting rotation ever again......Hamels, Blanton, Moyer, Halladay, Kendrick....now that's a rotation we could plan a parade around......Halladay is getting restless in Toronto and so much of an upgrade over Burnett, plus we wouldn't have to get into the Sheets, Sabbathia bidding war at season's end. Thoughts?
I can't believe they gave up Cardenas for this!!!
I hate losing Cardenas. They had to do something because if Myers comes back and gets lit up, what do you do then? Now, if need be they can run Happ out there if Myers goes in the tank. Cardenas should be a quality ML 2nd baseman. The Phils are cooked if Myers flops. Blanton's the most you can get for a little future 2nd baseman. He's not another Utley. It was a good deal.
I was only half paying attention, but 6ABC said we "almost" got Matt Holliday, and I think, someone else from the Rockies. Wouldn't have hurt to have gotten another good hitter. Did anyone else hear about this?
I hate losing Cardenas. They had to do something because if Myers comes back and gets lit up, what do you do then? Now, if need be they can run Happ out there if Myers goes in the tank. Cardenas should be a quality ML 2nd baseman. The Phils are cooked if Myers flops. Blanton's the most you can get for a little future 2nd baseman. He's not another Utley. It was a good deal.
A Holliday and Fuentes were being discussed at one point for Happ. Marson, Victorino, and Carassco. That thought made sick.
Well Mark1npt, I think your right about having a flame thrower on your staff, its almost a must if you want to win. But my defintion of a flame thrower is someone who throws 93 and up. I think Blanton does that, Myers can, and Hamels is right up there. When talking playoff starting pitching though, I thought you really only need three starters(not saying ours are good enough, but close) to get through a seven game series, and your 4th strongest pitcher would be the long man in the pen. I still hope they put Myers in the pen, and bring back Happ, and or another young arm. GO PHILS!!
OUCH! I like Holliday. Don't know much about Fuentes. But that didn't sound like a trade I would have liked, either! The Phils definitely need to keep Happ! At least until they see what Myers does on his return.
clinton....I hate to disagree with you, BUT....Myers HAD a 93 mph fast ball. Let's see if it's returned.
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