FAT JOE IS DEALIN'

...and let the rhetoric commence. Joe Blanton's name is popping up, again, in trade rumors. Buster Olney takes a stab at possible suitors. I don’t mind speculation but I feel that sportswriters do not do a very job of clearly stating that their speculation is just that. I'd rather go with an unconfirmed and unnamed source than trust a sportswriter.



From Olney's article:

The Market for Blanton
posted: Monday, February 11, 2008
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster
http://elephantsinoakland.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?p=475#475



Dan Haren probably had the most trade value of any pitcher as the off-season began, and he went first, to Arizona. The Johan Santana domino fell, and then the long-discussed Erik Bedard deal went down.



And now Oakland's Joe Blanton is the best pitcher available, an innings-eating plowhorse who, at 27 years old, has demonstrated that he can throw in the middle of any rotation. Blanton has made 98 starts and thrown 625.2 innings the last three seasons, compiling a 3.95 ERA in 2007. With the Athletics in long-term rebuilding mode, it makes sense for them to deal him now, as he starts to make his climb up the arbitration-fueled part of the salary ladder.



The Reds, desperately needing another solid piece for their thin rotation, seem to be the most aggressive team in pursuing Blanton so far, although Cincinnati likely wouldn't have to part with superprospect Jay Bruce if it wins the bidding. But circumstances may nudge other teams to get involved. If the Reds are the front-runners, in the pole position, here's how the rest of the field may line up in the Blanton talks.



2. The Dodgers
They talked extensively about a Blanton trade at the deadline last summer, and have continued to consider the idea. But despite all the conversation, the Dodgers have been steadfast in holding onto their prospects. And with a rotation that includes Brad Penny, Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda, L.A. may simply not be motivated enough to finish a Dodgers deal.



3. The Yankees
They've had some internal discussions about Blanton during the winter, as part of their due diligence. General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear he wants to hold onto the most evolved Yankees prospects -- Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy -- and given their exit from the Santana trade talks, that might seem to take them out of play in the Blanton conversations.



But there is this: The Yankees have no idea how their No. 2 starter, Andy Pettitte, may or may not be affected by his part in Roger Clemens' fight to clear his name. He might be fine, or might be distracted. The Yankees would need another stabilizing force in the middle of their rotation, between ace Chien-Ming Wang and the talented but inexperienced youngsters.



And the Yankees can make a deal for Blanton without surrendering either Joba Chamberlain or Hughes, because the Athletics aren't necessarily looking for major-league ready prospects in return for Blanton. They would take talented players from Class A or Double-A.



4. The Angels
In the same week that the Mariners added Bedard to a rotation more than suitable to contend for the playoffs, the Angels learned that Kelvim Escobar will not be ready for the start of the season. Los Angeles has a No. 1 in John Lackey and a couple of other good starters in Jered Weaver and Jon Garland, but the loss of Escobar could have enormous implications; he was a candidate for the Cy Young Award last year, and now the Angels have no idea what he can give them this season.



The Angels have the prospects to make a move, and Oakland GM Billy Beane has never had any reservations about making a deal with a division rival.



5. The Red Sox
Boston wasn't counting on much more than 8-10 victories and 100 to 150 innings from Curt Schilling, and with Schilling's 2008 season now at risk, the Red Sox are in an excellent fallback position with Clay Buchholz. But Schilling's injury does leave the Red Sox in an uncomfortable position of relying on Tim Wakefield to stay healthy. Boston executives, like those of the Yankees, have had internal talks about Blanton, and the Red Sox have prospects like Jed Lowrie to offer.



. . .
6. The Phillies
Lest there be any doubt, Philadelphia would love to have Blanton. But the Phillies continue to run up against the same roadblock in every major trade conversation: They simply don't have much in the way of minor league depth from which to fashion a trade.

In the piece Olney references this article from some chowder head.



The A's were rumored to be pursuing Mike Cameron and Coco Crisp. Which makes sense from their defensive value; good centerfielders chasing down flyballs make a pitcher's number better. Better numbers mean a higher cost when it comes to trade. Except when you get rid of a major chip whose numbers you are attempting to buttress then it becomes a little hazardous. Offensively, age and asking price for Cameron was ridiculous. Crisp suddenly has lost all of his power. In 2004-5 Crisp his 31 HR and had a slugging percentage over .440. The last two seasons Crisp has hit 14 HR and his OBP is less than league average. The A's could only be targeting prospects from the Red Sox and the Red Sox brain trust is better than the A's. What is chuckle worthy is calling Rich Harden "more expensive" than Blanton. While true a team with a payroll the size of the Red Sox has little to worry about when it comes to cash on hand.



Speculating I could see the A's taking Jon Lester and a 'lesser' prospect such as shortstop Oscar Tejeda, or outfielders Lars Anderson or Josh Reddick. Righty Michael Bowden might be a Blanton clone and Beane loves LHP so Nick Hagadone could be a consideration. Really, if the A's make a deal I would not be surprised to see the "Player to be Named Later" appears. The Red Sox obviously draft and develop well. Their minor league system has OBP that are incredible.