Sport Chit Chat

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired some starting pitching help in Joe Blanton this evening for 3 prospects; second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman and outfielder Matthew Spencer.

The Phillies get Joe Blanton who is 27 years old and a pitcher who the Phillies will get to keep for 2 (or 3) more seasons. Due to being under control he is worth more. Blanton’s best season remains his rookie season which he sported a 3.53 ERA in just over 200 innings.

So far this season, he’s had a tough year with a 4.96 ERA and a 5-12 record. He has an up and down career path, doing well one year, sort of sucking (league average), doing well again and once again sucking. He also strikes very few.

Blanton strikes me as the type of guy that would struggle away from Oakland’s management. It’s the Braves effect where they have superior coaching and analysis… they sometimes can swindle someone. Blanton is an not an overpowering guy and pitches to contact. He may take a beating in Philadelphia.

The A’s get:
Adrian Cardenas. Cardenas is the Phillies #2 prospect. He was drafted in the first round in 2006. He has hit at or above .300 in all 3 professional seasons displaying great plate discipline with speed on the bases. The power hasn’t really come but the man is just 20 but he’s very well rounded and people believe he can be a star. Phuture Phillies says his swing is reminiscent of current Phillies 2nd basemen Chase Utley or could end someone like David Wright.

Josh Outman was rated as the #3 prospect in the Phillies system by John Sickels. He’s a lefty with good stuff but has some control issues. He’s just 23-years old and has done a pretty good job in AA. I’d like to see Oakland take their time with him and a full season in AA may help to work with his control. If control remains an issue at worst he becomes a LOOGY on an MLB team. He’s close to being major league ready but there’s no need for Oakland to rush him.

Matt Spencer looks quite unimpressive based on his statistics, low average, okay power. Throw in and with a 6′5 frame with decent speed, maybe there’s something the A’s like about him.

This trade looks TERRIBLE for the Philadelphia Phillies. Giving up 2 of the 3 of your best prospects for a pitcher who will likely be a #4 with a potential to have a decent season every now and then is unacceptable for this package. All prospects are young and raw yes but Oakland is a team that makes you pay for trades. Basically Philadelphia gave up more then the Cubs to get just one pitcher who isn’t even as good.

The rest of the internet seems to agree:
MLB Trade Rumors‘ comment section is filled with bad trade. At first it was going to be Cardenas only but Outman makes it bad.
The Good Phight called it Elder Abuse: Billy Beane is much younger then the retirement ready Gillick.
A lot of the fans at Athletics Nation called it receiving Cupcakes.
Beerleaguer thinks it’s good timing with the deadline close and that it’s a good to try to make it the playoffs. The bad is that Blanton may marginally help them out.

The Chicago Cubs, the team with the best record in the NL, decided to counter the Milwaukee Brewers today by acquiring not just one solid starting pitcher but two. The deal is Harden and Gaudin to the Cubs for Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson.

Let’s look at what the Cubs get in the first place:

Rich Harden: It’s easy to judge Rich Harden but not so easy to determine his value. He’s a guy with ace stuff but can’t stay healthy. Who knows what the future brings for Harden. He’s been great this year though putting up a 2.34 ERA in 77 innings. He’s also just 26 with a 7 million club option for 2009. Basically the Cubs get him for 2 and 1/2 seasons at least.

Chad Gaudin: Was arguably JP Riccardi’s worst move. Giving up a guy who is was dominating AAA at 22 years old for Dustin Majewski an older prospect who’s likely topped out at AA. Gaudin has put up respectable numbers since being traded to the A’s. He spent one good year out of the pen and the A’s decided to put him back in the rotation where he’s been an above average pitcher. He will be controlled for 3 years as well which is a big key. Guys like Gaudin who are under control are worth much more.

The Cubs rotation now looks like: Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, Gaudin and Ryan Dempster. Excellente.

The Cubs gave up:
Sean Gallagher is a 22-year old who’s an excellent prospect who’s major league ready. Other then stats and hearing his name in trade rumors quite a ton, I never quite read a scouting report on him. He was the 3rd best prospect coming into this year behind Soto and Vitters. He throws 89-91 typically but can get it up to 94. The problem I see is that he’s not dominating enough and some believe he may end up being a #4 (projects as a #2 at best) and doesn’t have ace potential. Still great numbers in the minors though.

Matt Murton is a 26-year old 4th outfielder type that is probably deserving of a job. He’s a solid hitter who deserves a shot to start and probably could put some decent numbers.

Eric Patterson, brother of Corey would be a great prospect…if only he could play defense at 2B. Otherwise he’s got a decent bat with some nice pop and a good batting eye. He may end up being an outfielder and he is probably most valuable at CF…but the A’s have someone else there. He’s major league ready and finding a defensive position he can settle into will be key.

Josh Donaldson is a 22-year old catching prospect in A-ball. He’s really struggled with a .205 avg this season. He’s a first round pick out of the 2007 draft and is an alright prospect. He was considered the Cubs 6th best prospect but with his struggle is probably dipping a bit.

On paper the Cubs got the 3rd, 4th and 6th best prospects. However it doesn’t look to encouraging. Gallagher can be a stud but the other players I’m not so sure about.

The Brewers gave up just as much with LaPorta likely going to be a stud and they are only getting Sabathia for a few months (guaranteed anyway). The Cubs are getting BOTH Harden and Gaudin for 3 years making it a landslide.

Kind of a poor deal on the A’s part for not getting a package like they got for Haren. I don’t really get it. Eric Patterson doesn’t look to have a position on their team and Donaldson is very far and could fall off in A-ball with his struggles. Gallagher is a good prospect BUT he’s not enough.

Cubs win this trade easily.

Here are some blogger reactions:
Athletics Nation trusts the A’s brass with this one but is a little disappointed they didn’t get an impact bat.
Melissa Lockhart - regrets not being able to see Harden reach his potential
Cubs Locker - thinks that the Cubs will regret it if Harden is hurt again (I still think its a solid deal though, definitely worth the risk)