Phils Aquire Joe Blanton

In an attempt to bolster their starting rotation, the Phillies traded for Oakland starter Joe Blanton.  The Phils gave up minor leaguers Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matthew Spencer for the right-handed “innings-eater”.  On the surface, it looks as though Blanton has struggled this season (4-12; 4.96 ERA).  Those numbers only tell half the story though.  In 17 of his 20 starts, he’s posted a 3.87 ERA and has been victim of the seventh-worst run support in the American League.  Last year, he went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA for Oakland.

Cardenas — who was the Phillies top hitting prospect, and instantly becomes Oakland’s — was hitting .309 for Class A Clearwater.  Outman was 5-4 with one save and a 3.20 ERA in 33 games – including 5 starts –for Double-A Reading.

Initially, I wasn’t sure what to make of this deal.  I was very high on Cardenas, and hate to see him traded away, especially for a middle-of-the-rotation type pitcher.  But the fact of the matter is that he was blocked at the Major League level by Chase Utley, and the Phillies seemed hesitant to change his position.  I would have preferred a more high-profile starter in return, but it seems as though there were none to be had — or at least none to be had at a price the Phillies were willing to pay.

Blanton is what he is.  He’s a workhorse who logs a lot of innings and keeps the ball in the yard.  Perhaps the best thing that has come out of this deal is the fact that Adam Eaton will no longer be in the Phillies rotation.  That alone, is worth its weight in gold.  For this deal to be a “win” for the Phillies, they need Brett Myers to return to his pre-2008 form.  That would provide the Phils with a 1-2-3 punch of Hamels-Myers-Blanton, which is better than what they currently have and could be good enough to make a run in the playoffs.  If Myers cannot return to form, I will like this deal a lot less.