Once Upon A Time, Joe Blanton. The End.

by CBPhresh on Feb 10, 2011 8:08 PM EST

Today on "Hot Stove" on MLB Network, Mitch Williams stated that the Phillies would have made a smart move if they had traded Joe Blanton and Placido Polanco for the Rangers’ third basemen Michael Young. Bull shit.

I don’t know how many times I have seen Phillies fans make the most pointless comments by arguing that Joe Blanton should have been traded somewhere, anywhere, for money. You must be a narcissistic, apathetic fool to listen to those who say "get rid of Blanton!" Think about this, would you rather be a fan of a team with an absolutely perfect starting rotation and a very minor issue in right field, or a team with fifth-starter issues as well as the minor right field issue? I take the first one.

As for Placido, the Phillies simply cannot replace a guy like him, all the man does is hit and field third base perfectly, and I have never, ever complained about him. Around this time last year, the major issue was who the fifth starter would be, Kendrick or Moyer. Eventually we would need both of them for the fourth and fifth spot, but that is not the point. The point is that we have the greatest rotation in all of Major League Baseball, so why would a fan of this rotation want to get rid of a part of it? I do not want to relive the fifth-starter issue, and I am very thankful to be a fan and a writer of this team which is nearly perfect.

Wait a moment though, what would have happened if we did get rid of Heavy B? Would Kyle Kendrick take the job? Vance Worley? I suppose we will have to wait another season to see who becomes the fifth starter, and who remains a relief pitcher in the ‘pen.

For now, take a breath, we only have to wait three more days (oh my God) until pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Clearwater, then once April 1st comes around in 50 days, we will no longer be deprived of baseball!

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Yeah, it looks like Mitch really went off the deep end today.

The main problem with that trade is that Polanco is arguably a better player than Young straight up. AND Polanco makes $10 million less per year with one fewer year on his contract. Flip flopping the two of them would totally be shooting ourselves in the foot.

On Blanton – I’m a big fan of Mr. Cookies, but there’s at least an argument that can be made that it would be beneficial to give him away. The idea is: even though he’s a good pitcher and is on a contract that’s pretty team-friendly, we’re not likely to get as much value from him as we otherwise would since 1. he’s a fifth starter and therefore won’t pitch in the playoffs if we get there, and 2. we (arguably) won’t need him in the regular season either since we’re good enough to make the playoffs without him. So maybe the $8.5 mill we’re devoting on him could be better allocated elsewhere – for instance, we could keep it in reserve for a midseason trade, or we could use it on the draft, or save it for next year’s FA market, or whatever. I’m not saying I agree with this argument, but it’s plausible. Trading Blanton for Young, though, would be nuts, since Young makes $16 million per year and so you wouldn’t save any money at all.

by taco pal on Feb 10, 2011 8:28 PM EST reply actions

My counterargument (and I know you’re not making the argument, I just want to elucidate the counter for anyone nodding their head as they read your post) is that Blanton’s contract is, to some extent, a sunk cost – we’ve agreed to pay him that much, and that’s the default position we’re in. We should shift from that position only if doing so brings us an asset in return that will contribute more to the team than Blanton does. Yes, it’s theoretically possible that the “extra” money we’d have would be an asset in a midseason trade, but there’s no reason Blanton couldn’t be an asset in a midseason trade as well. Trading him now for a box of Cracker Jack is trading certainty (Blanton’s a relatively known asset and contributor to the team) for uncertainty (who the hell knows who’s going to be a seller this year). I have no problems with the idea of trading Blanton; I do have problems with the idea of getting nothing or virtually nothing in return. I’d even be OK with a loss of talent, swapping him for another team’s (cheap) 5th starter (preferably better than KK), although I’d hope for a mid-level prospect that filled a future gap (3B?) as well.

Also, just dumping Blanton without getting something in return opens up some depth gaps, though – what happens if one of the four aces does go down for some stretch of the season? Kendrick and Worley as the 4 and 5 for an extended period? Do not want. That’s why I want a replacement 5th for Blanton – the other team gets an upgrade, the Phillies get salary relief and maintain depth.

Bob.

by The Dark on Feb 12, 2011 8:39 AM EST up reply actions

I make an exception for a top shelf utility man so Ut, Rollins and Polly can get more rest.

by j reed on Feb 12, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Now that I’ve been reminded of that hilarious photo from the postseason, I feel compelled to re-share the doctored version that someone from The Fightins came up with.

http://i51.tinypic.com/2008sjs.jpg

by taco pal on Feb 10, 2011 8:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

thats too funny

soundcloud/kennymproductions check out my music affiliated with hungry entertainment

practice - allen iverson

by phillyeaglesfan on Feb 10, 2011 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

Cool! Thanks for giving me my laugh for the day!

by dannijd on Feb 10, 2011 9:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Just saw this today. It needs a Fanshot, IMHO.

I am not a witch.

by RememberthePhitans on Feb 19, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

Might I borrow the title of your post for a future poem? I think it’s fantastic.

by Wet Luzinski on Feb 11, 2011 12:07 AM EST reply actions

You may! I only ask that you give credit where credit is due, please

by CBPhresh on Feb 11, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions

will do.

by Wet Luzinski on Feb 11, 2011 8:53 PM EST up reply actions

He’s still unfamiliar with the Lu-LINK-ski poetic device.

by j reed on Feb 12, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Apparently, crack is more potent for anyone whose name rhymes with “twitch”.

by j reed on Feb 11, 2011 12:33 AM EST reply actions

In the end, Michael Young is only sorta good at baseball and can’t hit a lick outside of Arlington. I’ll take Polanco’s glove+OK bat and Blanton.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Feb 11, 2011 9:55 AM EST reply actions

I have to admit, I thought Young was much better than he really is, since he used to be compared to Utley when he played second. And you’re right about his road stats — .733 career OPS, and declining.

by schmenkman on Feb 11, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

Yea I was about to freak on Taco Pal for saying Michael Young and Plac are basically the same, then I looked up the statistics. I then erased my already written comment.

The Jruth shall be told.

by packimop on Feb 11, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions