Staff Blog
Morning Rounds, July 18th
Morning Roundup: “It’s one of those double-sided coins” – Joe Blanton, on being traded to the Phillies
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| NOT the Joe Blanton trade |
| thebutterstick.wordpress.com |
Three lines on their world:
- Despite a poor outing from Johan Santana, the Mets won their 10th straight game
- Tiger’s absence and bad weather has opened up the British Open
- and the Phillies made a move for pitching
Three lines on ours:
- Joe Blanton is a Philadelphia Phillie
- He will join a team that is now tied for first place
- And Brian Westbrook spices up the Birds’ offseason by firing his agent in the midst of contract demands
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and more after the jump
PHILLIES
Couple of quick thoughts before he get into who said what
- Yesterday two important things happened to the Phillies pitching: they traded for righthander Joe Blanton and lefthander J.A. Happ had a comically good outing. I’ll write about this in depth in the next few hours, but I think the takeaway is relatively simple: the Phillies have to promote Happ, send Eaton to the bullpen/minors/whatever and make Brett Myers the set-up guy he wants to be. I don’t care if it will mess with Myers’ head, his right arm has been messing with mine all year.
- Judging from the reaction across the phlogosphere, it seems that pretty much everyone in the Phillies nation is down on the Blanton trade. I’m not sure why. I’ll try to break down Blanton’s numbers later, but all things considered I really do see him as someone who is a definite upgrade who can help us win now and later. Sure, he isn’t going to win a Cy Young anytime soon, but he’s solid and can help a team that should be the verge.
- With the Mets drawing perfectly even with the Phillies, it was not a bad day to steal a headline.
The Phillies have had the league’s second best second half record both of the last two years, and with the Mets tied up and the Marlins just a game and a half back, they’ll need that type of production again. Tonight they try start off that push when they send Jamie Moyer (8-6, 3.95) to the mound against the Ricky Nolasco (10-4, 3.70) and the Marlins.
Now, who said what …
Todd Zolecki reports that the Phillies have traded prospects Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matt Spencer to the As for righthander Joe Blanton. READ
Back in Triple A Lehigh, J.A. Happ pitched 7 innings of 12-k, no-hit ball, an outing far better than any of opening-day starter Brett Myers‘ minor league starts, to win a resumed game. SKIP
The Mets scored four in the 9th to beat the Cincinnati Reds 10-8 and move into a tie for first in the NL East. SKIP
Michael Klein reports on (some of) the details of John Marzano’s death. READ
The AP is a little more clear. READ
Randy Miller looks at the numbers behind the Phillies season. READ
Randy Miller hands out grades (and no explanations) for the entire Phillies’ roster. FAIL
Randy Miller points out that the Phillies have had big second halves before. SKIP
EAGLES
Les Bowen reports that Brian Westbrook has fired his agent. He has yet to hire a replacement. SKIP
Bob Brookover on the Eagles who are unhappy with their contracts. SKIP
Bob Ford blames the Asante Samuel signing for the Birds’ contract gripes. SKIP
As Andy Reid enters his 10th year as Eagles’ coach Les Bowen looks at the era. READ
Philly.com brings you the fans’ guide to training camp (PDF). If you’re going; read. If you, skip.
A complete, if poorly organized, breakdown of every roster move the Eagles have made this offseason. READ
Standing room only tickets go on sale Monday. SKIP
Rueben Frank’s notes say Trevor Laws and DeSean Jackson will be signed before training camp starts, and more. SKIP
Rueben Frank has 10 questions for the Birds. SKIP
USA Today says that stats suggest the Phils are about to run away with the division. READ
SIXERS
Kate Fagan on Marreese Speight’s excellent summer league play. READ
Phil Jasner on Jason Smith, who has been aggressive and shot well in Vegas. READ
Phil Jasner gets’ Dalembert’s side of the story. READ
Kate Fagan writes that after getting burned by super-agents in the past, the Elton Brand signing is a nice get for the Sixers. SKIP
FLYERS
Ed Moran looks at the Flyers’ rookie camp. READ
Sam Cardichi breaks down the Flyers’ schedule. READ
TODAY and MORE
I at least won’t be at my computer for much of the day, but I will be sure to get some thoughts on Blanton up ASAP. As always, feel free to email me with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
I’m totally up in the air on the Blanton trade. There was a rumor on the renegade phans phorum about the deal including Keith Foulke and Emil Brown which make things seem a little more even. Without those two, the deal feels a little lopsided in that we get a struggling starter whose upside is that of a #3 innings eater and the A’s get two of our top-four prospects (as per Baseball America).
I guess it’s consolation that Cardenas is a 2b and Outman projects as a closer, both play positions where we’re set for the foreseeable future. And we didn’t have to give up Carrasco, Savery, Bastardo or any of our other top starting pitchers.
I particularly like the 700 Level’s assessment of the Blanton trade:
>>>Blanton sez: It’s one of those double-sided coins.”
>>>Enrico, The700Level.com: “Aren’t all coins double-sided?”