Joe Blanton Traded to Philles

After the Brewers traded for CC Sabathia and the Cubs traded for Rich Harden, the Philles joined the arms race, trading for Joe Blanton of the A's. The Philles gave up too much, 3 top 10 prospects including their #2 prospect, and won't get enough from Blanton to make the playoffs. He'll do ok in the 2nd half with a change of scenery, but he is much better than what they already have.

As for the A's, I think this is the white flag from them. They moved Rich Harden last week and now Joe Blanton and I just can't see them having enough to overtake the Angels, who are one of the most well-rounded teams in baseball. However, the A's have a very, very solid future ahead of them, with the prospects they got from the Dan Haren trade last off season and now these two deals, moving Harden and Blanton, to go with Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki, who are already at the big league level.

The A's may not be done dealing, but they might be. If they do trade anyone, it would be Huston Street. Street is a great closer, but if the A's are really wowed with a package of prospects from a team like the Red Sox, who have the prospects to wow the A's, Billy Beane would have to pull the trigger.