Comments on: Joe Blanton Is Sticking Around

By: hk

hk — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:52:57 +0000

Rut, I agree 100% with what you say about Hamels rebounding in 2010, but I don’t see any correlation between Blanton pitching in relief in the NLDS and his performance in the NLCS and WS. In his post-season starts, he basically pitched like he did all year. He threw 12 innings, gave up 11 hits and 4 BB’s and struck out 9. I wouldn’t put too much stock into 12 innings at all, but if you are going to analyze his 2 post-season starts, I’d say his H/9, BB/9 and K/9 are much more telling than his ERA.

By: hk

hk — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:20:12 +0000

There are also financial considerations that must be added to the Blanton + 3 prospects over Lee + 2 draft picks equation. The first is that Blanton will make $2M less than Lee in 2010. The second is that, by choosing prospects, who’ve already received their signing bonuses, over draft picks, the Phils save money by not having to sign the draft picks.

Although I disagree with the course of action that the Phillies chose, I do understand their thought process (rebuilding the farm system with players who are close to being ready and saving some money).

By: JayCee

JayCee — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:41:35 +0000

You could also still trade him.

By: Teej

Teej — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:51:21 +0000

StatCorner’s park factors, which are more in-depth than the ESPN numbers you’re using, show that while CBP is close to average in some areas, it’s very homer-friendly.

By: bflaff

bflaff — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:08:18 +0000

Don’t know why this hasn’t sunk in yet. The ‘Why’d they let Lee go?’ bashing has all the hallmarks of the ‘Why’d they let Burrell go and sign Ibanez?’ chatter from last offseason. It stems from a big misreading of the Phillies’ needs.

By: bflaff

bflaff — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:54:45 +0000

RAJ said all 3 guys they got from Seattle would start the year in AA, so they’re definitely closer to helping than 2 comp picks in 2011.

By: bflaff

bflaff — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:47:12 +0000

The timeline for the 3 picks the Phils got for Lee is far more accelerated than 2 compensation picks they’d get if Lee walked after 2010. (And by the way, there’s no guarantee at all that these two picks will be any better, as players, than what Philly got from Seattle. Keep in mind that Aumont was a #1.)

So… 3 picks who start this year in AA, setting themselves to be potentially available to the big league side as minimum wage replacements next year, versus two complete unknowns who won’t even be drafted until 2011, and who realistically won’t be ready to contribute until 2013. (And that’s a pretty optimistic assumption, considering that the Phillies, picking at the bottom of the round, probably aren’t getting Matt Wieters, ready now types with those picks.)

The fact that Philly’s payroll situation is already a problem, and one that’s only going to get worse as the rest of their core gets past their arb years, means that cheap players who can step in soon is much better for the Phils than two guys who won’t be ready until long after they’re needed. The scenario with Seattle and Lee gives the Phils a much more reliable plan for the future than dice rolling on doing nothing to help the milb system, hoping you can muddle through with the thin talent pool that’s still there.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:28:28 +0000

Well, Carpenter and Wainwright took the Cards to the promised land last year, right?

By: mattymatty

mattymatty — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:04:51 +0000

This isn’t the place to post about your contest.

By: BX

BX — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:01:13 +0000

How?

He’s a league average starter entering his statistical prime with 5 years of team control remaining.

That’s REALLY valuable when thinking trade value.