I’m on record as liking the Phillies’ acquisition of Joe Blanton. Let’s round up other reactions to the trade today.
- Bill Conlin isn’t a fan of Blanton.
- The Transaction Guy sees nearly a 1.5 win gain for the Phillies this year, and isn’t too impressed by Oakland’s return.
- Keith Law thinks the Phillies’ gain could approach two wins this year, even while considering the smaller park and inferior defense for Blanton. He considers the prospect package reasonable.
- Joel Sherman considers Blanton the pitcher Adam Eaton was meant to be.
- Tom Goyne says Blanton is the B-level acquisition we expected the Phillies to make. He doesn’t think the Phillies will miss the prospects they gave up.
- Dave Cameron believes Phillies fans will ultimately be frustrated with Blanton, as his low home run per flyball rates are not sustainable.
- Rob Neyer says Justin Duchscherer is at peak value, and Billy Beane hasn’t given up on ’08 unless he moves Duke.
- Or could Huston Street be the next to go?
- Ken Davidoff is surprised Pat Gillick and Billy Beane matched up for a trade, and gives the edge to the Phillies. This does appear to be the first Gillick-Beane matchup, but I wonder how much of the work A’s assistant GM David Forst did.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman thinks the A’s waiting too long to trade Blanton, noting their spring demand for Johnny Cueto and then some.
- With all the deals this month, it’s nice to not read the tired annual story about how the trade deadline is mostly talk and little action.
