Rumor Mill: Joe Blanton
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Thu, February 07, 2008 12:07 PM | Comments: 7
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Per MLB Trade Rumors, Joe Blanton may be traded before the season begins. Ken Rosenthal, via his pseudo-creepy FOX Sports webcam, says chances are 50/50 Blanton gets dealt. He doesn’t mention the Phillies, but Tim Dierkes at MLBTR is quick to note a rumor from July that has the Phillies looking at Blanton.
The big, 27-year-old righty went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA, 140 K and 40 BB last season for Oakland. For his career, he touts a pretty decent 4.10 ERA and 1.313 WHIP with a 42-34 record. He was signed to a $3.7M deal by the A’s for 2008, and has one year remaining of arbitration.
Considering the price tag, Blanton is a doable salary for the Phils. He might not be in the cards for a long-term solution (but wouldn’t be ruled out); still, as a No. 3 or 4 starter, he’s definitely passable. But what would it take to get him? Johan Santana was four players, Dan Haren was five. Erik Bedard — while not happening yet — would take five as well.
I would think a package of Carlos Carrasco/Josh Outman, Adrian Cardenas/Jason Donald and maybe Wes Helms could work. But I almost would be better off latching onto low-risk guys such as Kris Benson instead of trading the already sparse farm.
Posts: 0 Sean P.
This guy seems pretty good but i dont think its worth trading our “top” ( i used that term loosely) prospects to get him. The phillies always get royally screwed on these deals especially for pitchers.
I think they should just stick with Kris Bensonator and see what happens
Posted: 02:08 PM on February 7, 2008
Posts: 0 benjamin franklin
I don’t think it is worth it for the A’s to trade Blanton for the Pills top prospects. While I was observing electricity I also observed that our farm system stinks.
Posted: 03:24 PM on February 7, 2008
Posts: 0 Dave Hall
I think it’s worth looking into. Oakland may not have any interest in our prospects, but it can’t hurt to try. Blanton is a much better option than Eaton and Benson and he’s young. Pitching is what wins championships. You can’t expect to out hit everyone…especially in the playoffs. Look what happened to our hitting last year against Colorado. I say, if you can get Blanton without giving up the farm…do it.
Posted: 01:45 PM on February 9, 2008
Posts: 0 JohnJevitz
The Phillies don’t have a pot to piss in, they aren’t trading for joe blanton. Colorado Rockies will forever own your mother’s pussies!!!!
Posted: 05:33 PM on February 10, 2008
Posts: 0 Ryan H.
Thanks for your amazing insights John…Rude and crude and doesn’t even make sense. Please post here often so we can learn from your greatness….
Posted: 03:04 PM on February 11, 2008
Posts: 0 sam
what I like most about Blanton is that he only had 40 walks in 230 innings last year… will keep his ERA in a happy place if he were to make half of his starts in CBP. That being said, he gave up 16 HRs last season… would have to assume that one goes up a bit.
Posted: 12:42 PM on February 12, 2008
Posts: 0 GregLuzinskiIsCrying
Great news sports fans!! Boston is now in the Joe Blanton Sweepstakes!!
Seems that Curt Schilling is done for the year and, well you know those big market teams (NY,Boston,Chicago, LA ) are looking for middle of the rotation help.
Another reason to hate your ownership, big market team, small market mentality and payroll.
Just look at what your ownership is doing to the best 1st baseman in the game, wont pay him 3 million dollars to avoid arbitration.
Penny wise, pound foolish
You can rant and rave all you want, but if your ownership would ever spend like ny or boston, you guys would be unstoppable.
think about that the next time you blame the mets for going out and getting the best pitcher in baseball. Or Boston or Chicago for getting blanton.
Dont worry, Anna Benson is worth 8 million a yr
Posted: 03:24 PM on February 12, 2008