Trade: Blanton to the Phillies

[mweir145]

The problem is it would take two weeks of horrid baseball to change the GM's mind. It's highly unlikely enough happens in two weeks to make the GM do a 180 in these types of situations.

A bit of mediocre baseball would put them over 10 games behind a playoff spot with 2 months left. I think any competent GM can recognize it's over by then...I'd hope, especially when you can get prospect packages like these for a pitcher who is leaving.

[DVauthrin]

The problem is it would take two weeks of horrid baseball to change the GM's mind. It's highly unlikely enough happens in two weeks to make the GM do a 180 in these types of situations.

A bit of mediocre baseball would put them over 10 games behind a playoff spot with 2 months left. I think any competent GM can recognize it's over by then...I'd hope, especially when you can get prospect packages like these for a pitcher who is leaving.

yes, but that requires riccardi to be competent doesn't it?

[mweir145]

From the A's point of view - don't necessarily see this as throwing in the towel. You could argue that Gio Gonzalez is an upgrade over what Blanton is right now. I'm pretty happy with this deal as an A's fan.

Of course. The other deal wasn't throwing in the towel either. The A's are still a better team than the Angels in my mind, even without Harden and Blanton.

Look at the 3rd order standings: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/stati ... ndings.php

[bdrotoronto]

The problem is, at this point, the Jays see themselves as contenders still

OK, but if that is true then it would just be more evidence of JP being asleep at the wheel

I think Paul Godfrey is really the one with a lot of input on that decision. He was on radio today still saying they had a chance.

Sorry for the delayed response, I just threw up when I read that. It says so much about the root of the Jays' problems.

[tmlfan4ever]

From the A's point of view - don't necessarily see this as throwing in the towel. You could argue that Gio Gonzalez is an upgrade over what Blanton is right now. I'm pretty happy with this deal as an A's fan.

Of course. The other deal wasn't throwing in the towel either. The A's are still a better team than the Angels in my mind, even without Harden and Blanton.

Look at the 3rd order standings: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/stati ... ndings.php

Let's not get carried away... without harden and blanton, there is no way Oakland is a better team than the A's.

[tmlfan4ever]

Just heard that Gio WILL be called up and face the yanks in his first start. Still searching for a source of the rumor.

[mweir145]

From the A's point of view - don't necessarily see this as throwing in the towel. You could argue that Gio Gonzalez is an upgrade over what Blanton is right now. I'm pretty happy with this deal as an A's fan.

Of course. The other deal wasn't throwing in the towel either. The A's are still a better team than the Angels in my mind, even without Harden and Blanton.

Look at the 3rd order standings: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/stati ... ndings.php

Let's not get carried away... without harden and blanton, there is no way Oakland is a better team than the A's.

You mean the Angels. A team with an bad offense that is incredibly lucky to be where it is in the standings as shown there. Personally, I don't think the injury prone Harden and the incredibly mediocre Blanton are huge losses at all. Both places can easily be filled by Gallagher and Gio Gonzalez.

[AcidRock23]

I was wondering if Brett Myers would end up being one of the minor leaguers...

[YardBirds]

Why can't Baltimore take some mental notes and do this kind of deal with Daniel Cabrera...

[AussieDodger]

I quite like this deal.
Obviously the A's probably won't use any of the players they got this year, so it is a win for Philly in 2008.
After 2008, it should be a good Oakland win. Cardenhas has the potential to be something really terrific.
The other two are a bit meh, but we did get a pitcher called Out-man, so at least it's entertaining.