Joe Blanton hasn’t even thrown a pitch as a member of the Phillies, but they are already see positive results.  The Phillies have announced that Blanton will take Adam Eaton’s spot in the rotation, meaning he will be relegated to the bullpen.  Eaton obviously isn’t happy about this news, but will do what is necessary to stay a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

“As long as I can help this team win, I’m going to do that, regardless of what role it is,” Eaton said. “I’ve got three wins as a starter. J.C. Romero has four or five. I can rack up some wins that way and help the team, as well, fill some gaps to help these guys out, too.”

 Arguably the worst pitcher in baseball over the past season-and-a-half (13-18, 6.06 ERA), Eaton will now spend his nights in the bullpen, eating sunflower seeds and lighting ”hot Foots”.  He’ll be called to pitch a few innings when the game is out of reach or when other guys need a rest.  Essentially he’s become Clay Condrey.

Unfortunately this is still the wrong move in handling Eaton’s situation.  By keeping him in the bullpen, the Phillies now …

Although Jon Atwood made some good points in Strike While the Iron is Hot.  Trade Howard Now, I am of a different mindset.  Trading Ryan Howard might be one of the worst things the Phillies can do.

Howard is the premier power hitter in all of Major League Baseball.  Players like him come once in a lifetime to a baseball franchise.  The fact that he leads the National League in home runs (28), and RBIs (84), while only batting .234 is simply amazing.  Speaking of his low batting average, Howard has had his struggles at the plate, but he also leads the Phillies in batting average with runners in scoring position (.333).  Although he has some flaws, Howard creates runs and there’s no one better in the game at doing that. 

Of course the big knock on Howard is his strikeouts.  In fact if you take away his strikouts this season, and only factor in his at-bats when he put the ball in play, he’s batting .362.  Unfortunately you have to deal with strikeouts.  Strikeouts come with power.  Eight of the top 10 players who are on the all-time strikeout list (Reggie Jackson, Sammy Sosa, …

Some rumors actually pan out.  Multiple media outlets are reporting the Phillies have acquired pitcher Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics for Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matt Spencer. 

Blanton has struggled this season going 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA, and his ERA away from McAffee Stadium is less than desirable 5.73, so the Phillies definitely rolled the dice with this move.

Cardenas is considered the second best prospect by the Phillies.  A supplemental first-round pick in the 2006 draft, Cardenas is hitting .309 with 4 home runs and 23 RBI’s for Class A Clearwater.  He’s a prospect with a bright future ahead of him, but he’s blocked by Chase Utley, who’s signed with the Phillies until at least 2011.

Outman was once projected as a mid-rotation starter, but initially struggled after being converted to the bullpen.  Spencer appears to be a throw-in.  The outfielder possess some power, but has struggled this season at Clearwater batting a meager .249.

I like this trade.  While the Phillies gave up one of their better prospects in Cardenas, they land a mid-rotation starter who consistantly get deep into games.  While Blanton has had struggles this season, he’s only twenty-seven, and has a …

The day after the Midsummer Classic is always the slowest day in sports. With only the AAA & AA All-Star games going on, it’s one of the few days of the year where there’s not one major sporting event.  It doesn’t stop the trade rumors from flying around.

The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting the Phillies have begun to look at the Athletics Joe Blanton.  Blanton has had disastrous 2008 campaign going 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA.  I’ve always felt Blanton was a pitcher who had more hype surrounding him then actual ability.  Entering 2008, Blanton was 42-34 with a 4.09 ERA.  Although those numbers aren’t terrible, they hardly support the hype that surrounds him. 

Given his current rough first half, Blanton would come at a cheaper asking price then what he was shopped for last off-season, but I honestly don’t see him being traded by the deadline.  Athletics GM, Billy Beane, only trades players when he knows he’ll get the most value out of them.  Since Blanton is under organizational control until 2010, there’s really no reason for the A’s to trade him, unless they get blown away by an offer.  Given how he’s …

It seemed Brett Myers has finally found his groove; at least in the minor leagues.  The twenty-seven-year-old has been had some impressive outings since his demotion on July 1st, going 1-2 with a 3.10 ERA between Triple & Double A.  In his last start against the Akron Aeros, he allowed two runs in eight innings while taking the loss.  More importantly, he established he found his command, only walking two while striking out ten.

It’s exactly what the Phillies management was hoping for, as Myers will be recalled to pitch on July 23rd against the Mets.  Myers will make one more start this Friday night at Lehigh Valley, before joining the team in Flushing. 

Saying July 23rd will be a make or break day for Myers is an understatement.  Myers needs a good outing to build some confidence and once again realize he’s a starting pitcher.  It’s bigger for the Phillies, given the current state of their rotation.  With the recent performances by Adam Eaton, and not nuch available via trade (at least to the Phillies liking), they need him to fill a big void.

Keep an eye on Myers in the first inning, as that’s been his biggest problem this …

Last week Pat Gillick told the media that if things on the trade front didn’t progress as he hoped, he would have to turn to his “B List”.  I thought it was just another example of Gillick smoke-screening the media, and not letting them see his hand.  Unfortunately after hearing the most recent trade rumors, I’m starting to believe it. 

The latest rumors are the Phillies are scouting Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn.  Washburn is 4-8 on the season with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP.  Not exactly the pitcher the Phillies need for a stretch run.

In Washburn’s defense he struggled early in the season, but has rebounded recently, going 2-1 with a 2.75 ERA in his last six starts.  Even so, he’s Seattle’s version of Adam Eaton.  Since signing a four-year deal prior to the 2006 season, Washburn has been a complete disappointment going 22-37 with a 4.56 ERA.  In fact, Washburn hasn’t had a good season since 2002 when he went 18-6.

Aside from his poor play on the field, Washburn is under contract for the 2009 season, and is set to make $10.39 million.  Is that the kind of salary the Phillies really want to …

Phillies fans who are hoping A.J. Burnett is the pitcher the Phillies acquire before the July 31st trading deadline shouldn’t hold their breath.  Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Phillies have minimal interest in Burnett, and the feeling appears to be mutual as the Phillies are one of the 15 teams on Burnett’s no-trade list.

While I was against the Phillies pursuing Burnett for health reasons, if he could stay healthy he’d be a good addition.  I don’t view him as the impact pitcher the Phillies need, but he’s one of the best available. 

With the option of Burnett off the table, you’d have to think the Phillies are going to be keeping a close eye on Erik Bedard.  Bedard is currently on the disabled list, but he’s not seriously injured.  It was a move that was made by the Mariners to take Felix Hernandez off the DL without making a major roster move (sending someone down to Tacoma).  Bedard is scheduled to start on July 21st.

If the Phillies are unable to land Bedard, going to “Plan B” is the ONLY option as there will not be anything else available.  Roy Oswalt isn’t leaving Houston, and all the …

The trade rumors continue.  SI.com writer Jon Heyman has reported the Phillies are in trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays for starter A.J. Burnett.  While it’s unknown how far talks have gone, Blue Jays executive Tony LaCava was in Reading this week, scouting the likes of Greg Golson, Lou Marson, and Jason Donald.

Burnett, 9-8, 5.33 ERA has was linked to past trade rumors with the Cubs prior to their acquisition of Rich Harden and reports are the Dodgers are also looking at the right-hander.  Hopefully the Dodgers make a push.

Trading for Burnett is a bad idea.  Burnett’s contract is terrible.  He has an opt-out clause after the 2008 season, so if he puts up a strong second half he could walk.  Should he go down with an injury or struggle in the second half, the Phillies could have him under contract for the next two seasons for a mere $24 million.

Speaking of injuries, AJ is no stranger to the disabled list.  Burnett has made six trips to the disabled list for elbow and shoulder problems.  He’s averaged only 22 starts per year since coming to the bigs leagues full-time in 2000.  Considering he has …

The “Final Vote”ends today at 5:00 and Pat Burrell still finds himself in third place behind Corey Hart of the Brewers and the David Wright of the Mets.  While Burrell is still in third place, there’s no doubt he still has a shot to win this, but he needs our vote.

You can vote at many times as you ‘d like here. 

You can also vote by text message.  Simply text “N1″ to 36197.  MLB isn’t charging any fee, just whatever standard text fee your provider charges.

Get out there and vote!  If anyone deserves to make the All-Star team this season it’s Burrell.  It’s frustrating enough Ryan Ludwick was chosen ahead of him as a reserve.  It’s up to us to send Burrell to the Bronx.

 Get out there and vote!

Yesterday the biggest news in baseball was CC Sabathia (he’s since dropped the ”..” in his name), being dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects.  Today’s big news was Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin being dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Matt Murton and three prospects.  With the trading deadline 24 days away, contending teams are already getting a jump start on landing an impact player for the remainder of the season.

With other contenders beginning to take shape for a second half run, we turn to the Phillies.  A team while in first place, hasn’t been exactly playing good baseball (7-13 over their last 20 games).  A team that has also been in the thick of trade rumors surrounding Sabathia, and mentioned as a destination for Harden.  In typical Phillies fashion we’re involved in the rumors, but have fallen short. 

Or have we?

This is the season I truly believed we would make a splash before the trading deadline.  Even General Partner David Montgomery came out and told the people of Philadelphia that this  was the year he believed the Phillies had the team to go to the World Series, and would make the moves needed to put the Phillies over the …

On Sunday night, Iron Pigs starter Les Walrond made history.  The left-hander became the first pitcher in Lehigh Valley’s history to throw a complete game as the Iron Pigs beat the Louisville Bats 4-3.  What’s more impressive is Walrond struck out 17, an International League season-high, and Iron Pigs team record.

With all the talk of the issues with the Phillies rotation, and who at Triple A might get the call to Philadelphia, Walrond is never a name you hear mentioned.  You hear J.A. Happ, Travis Blackley, even Brian Mazzone, but no Walrond.

It begs the question, who is Les Walrond?

Walrond was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1998 draft.  After spending five seasons in the Cardinals farm system where he went 31-35, Walrond was claimed by the Kansas City Royals.  In late 2003, Walrond made his debut with the Royals, and appeared in 7 games, going 0-2 with a 10.19 ERA. 

The following season he spent in the Royals system, then was signed by the Marlins in 2004.  In 2006 he made it again to the majors, this time with the Cubs.  In 10 appearances Walrond went 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA.  After …

The Phillies have announced that closer Brad Lidge has signed a three-year, $37.5 million dollar extension that will run through 2011. The deal also hold a club option for a fourth season.

The once struggling closer, who was stolen from the Houston Astros for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo, has flourished in Philadelphia going 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 19 saves.  He’s also one of two closers in Major League Baseball who has not blown a save this year (the Yankees Mariano Rivera being the other).

Add Lidge to the list of players who enjoy playing in Philadelphia, putting the side the stereotype that it’s a tough city to play in. 

“I don’t know where I could go that would have a team that would have a better opportunity to get to the World Series, to win a World Series,” Lidge said. “I think that’s probably what most free agents are looking for, is a chance to be able to win, to win a World Series. For me, that’s the most important thing, so where better than Philadelphia?”

Phillies fans feel the same was Brad. 

This is an excellent move by the Phillies.  When they …