Phillies Add Blanton

Here's a link to Ken Rosenthal's story, because I like Ken.

The Phillies had to deal 2B Adrian Cardenas, RP Josh Outman and OF Matt Spencer to get him. Cardenas is the team's #1 hitting prospect, and he could be missed down the road. He has a very good chance of becoming a good contact hitter in the majors, but he's going to have to bulk up a bit and hit for some more power.

Like I said, I think he's going to become a good ML player. However, would he have that same opportunity with the Phillies? He was playing 2B because he couldn't handle SS, and scouts found it pretty unlikely that he would be able to play third. With Chase Utley holding down the fort at second, the only option was LF. The question then became whether or not he'll have the power to be considered a good corner OF. My guess is that'll be no. 2B is his position.

People look at Outman's status as BA's Phillies' 3rd ranked prospect, but I think he was overrated then, and he's even more overrated now if you're still only looking at that. Here's a 23 year old who's still figuring things out in AA. I know he's a bit raw for a 23 year old because he had to completely change his delivery, but I doubt he'll ever be a good starter, and his destiny is the bullpen. You can find good relievers in a lot of places.

The third prospect given up was OF Matt Spencer. He was taken in last year's draft, and after a hot start in Clearwater, Spencer has cooled off dramatically. His performance over the season as a whole is largely unacceptable, and he has to get a lot better to prove he was more than just a throw in.

Overall, I'm not losing sleep over trading these guys. Yes, Cardenas could be a fine hitter in a couple years. Yes, Outman throws pretty hard. However, you have to give something to get something, and the Phillies did so and got that.

I can definitely see why people are concerned about about Blanton's numbers this season. He has gotten roughed up in a few starts, but most of the time, he'll give you a solid outing. He pitches a lot of innings, and that's the kind of player the Phillies need. He's had a solid career, and that suggests his numbers are a bit flukey. He gets ground balls, doesn't get taken deep much, and for at least this season, the hitter friendly confines of Citizen's Bank Park have been exaggerated.

I like the deal. I'm definitely not going to complain about it before the dude even suits up in a uniform.