Blanton to the Phillies

[Scott T]

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Phillies have acquired Joe Blanton for minor leaguers Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matthew Spencer.

Blanton, 27, has a 4.96 ERA in 127 innings. Compared to '07, his strikeout rate has fallen while walks have risen. Still, he can probably eat a lot of innings for the Phillies at an ERA near 4.00. That's quite valuable, and the Phillies have him under control for '09 and '10.

Cardenas and Outman were ranked as the Phillies' #2 and #4 prospects coming into this season by Baseball America. With quality second base prospects in Cardenas and Jemile Weeks (and maybe Eric Patterson), the A's might not have much use for Mark Ellis long-term. Or, the A's could consider moving Cardenas back to shortstop. The 20 year-old is currently hitting .309/.374/.444 in High A ball.

Outman has been solid in Double A, posting a 3.20 ERA in 70.1 innings. The deceptive lefty was switched to relief in May, with the Phils hoping for a quick rise to their big league bullpen. I imagine the A's will switch him back to starting. Spencer, a 22 year-old outfielder, has struggled in High A.

Personally, just getting rid of Blanton for nothing would have made me happy!

[TSC25]

Adrian Cardenas, 2b Born: Oct. 10, 1987 • B-T: L-R • Ht: 5-11 • Wt: 190
Drafted: HS—Miami, 2006 (1st round supplemental) • Signed by: Miguel Machado
Background: Baseball America's 2006 High School Player of the Year, Cardenas had little trouble adjusting to pro ball and switching positions in his first full season. A supplemental first-round pick as a shortstop, he moved to second base and his way into the Futures Game. He also earned low Class A South Atlantic League all-star honors after doing the same in the Gulf Coast League in his debut.

Strengths: Thick and strong, Cardenas has an easy, compact stroke from the left side that produces consistent line drives with good loft power. He squares up breaking balls and fastballs equally well, and he makes hard contact to all fields. He exhibits above-average arm strength at his new position.

Weaknesses: Cardenas moved off shortstop because his range was just adequate and figured to diminish as he filled out and grew older. He doesn't cover a lot of ground at second base and his footwork needs improvement. A fringe-average runner, he lacks first-step quickness and his lateral movement also leaves something to be desired.

The Future: Cardenas will move to high Class A Clearwater for 2008, but his bat could push him to Double-A by midseason. He has middle-of-the-order potential, though the Phillies already are set at second base with Chase Utley.

2007 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Lakewood (LoA)
.295 .354 .417 499
70 147 30 2 9 79 47
80
20

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Josh Outman, lhp Born: Sept. 14, 1984 • B-T: L-L • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 190
Drafted: Central Missouri State, 2005 (10th round) • Signed by: Jerry Lafferty
Background: After transferring from St. Louis CC-Forest Park to Central Missouri State, Outmane underwent an extreme makeover in his mechanics and starred as a two-way player for the Mules. A key contributor to Lakewood's 2006 championship run in 2006, he set the tone early for Clearwater's 2007 title run. Outman won 10 of his 18 starts before being promoted to Double-A.

Strengths: Despite his revamped delivery, deception remains Outman's biggest strength on the mound. Hitters can't get good reads on his 90-94 mph fastball, his late-biting, 83-84 mph slider or his changeup. He scrapped his curveball in 2007, and his arm speed and his location with his changeup improved dramatically as he concentrated on a three-pitch mix. He's a good athlete and fields his position well.

Weaknesses: The patience of Double-A hitters was a wakeup call for Outman, who walked six in his Reading debut. He fell behind in counts after often overthrowing his fastball and elevating it in the strike zone. While he repeats his mechanics well, he throws with some effort and has a slight head jerk, especially when he throws his slider.

The Future: Outman will begin 2008 back in Double-A, but he could make his debut at Citizen's Bank Park before September. He profiles as a No. 3 starter.

2007 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
Clearwater (HiA)
10 4 2.45 20 18 0 0 117 104 7 54 117 .236
Reading (AA) 2 3 4.50 7 7 1 0 42 38 5 23 34 .242

[FNQ]

Pretty solid deal for us... Blanton sure wasn't improving his value. For some reason, when I think of him, I think Carlos Silva's body type mixed with Jimmy Haynes (warning: dark days reference) type stuff...

The rebuilding continues... "Eric Chavez, come on down!"