Philadelphia Phillies - Cost Of Doing Business

As the Philadelphia Phillies continue to scour the trade market in search of a starting pitcher, perhaps we should examine the cost of doing so by taking a look back at one of the team’s most recent transactions. Last year, on July 18th, the Phils acquired Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman and outfielder Matthew Spencer. Blanton, as advertised, ate innings and pitched adequetely, posting a 4.20 ERA in 70.2 innings for the club in the 08? regular season. His record was 4-0. Blanton went on to post a 2-0 record in the postseason, starting 3 games, with a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings. The team went on to win the World Series and, for that reason and Blanton’s role in doing so, the trade must be considered a success.

Fast forward to 2009. Blanton is 4-3 with a 5.46 ERA. Meanwhile, the A’s haul is starting to pay dividends. Josh Outman has started 10 games, posting a 4-0 record for a team that offers little...

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