Kicking the Tires on Joe Blanton

by jscape2000 on Feb 12, 2008 12:32 AM EST in New York Yankees News

General manager Brian Cashman has made it clear he wants to hold onto the most developed Yankees prospects -- Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy -- and given the Yankees' exit from the Santana trade talks, that might seem to take them out of play in the Blanton talks.
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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.

That would be music to my ears.

I've said before that when I evaluate prospects I don't get excited about anybody until he makes AA. So I'd be willing to dangle anybody from the lower end of the system for a frontline starter.

But Blanton is not a frontline starter. In three full seasons the 28 year old has sandwiched two very good years around a bad year.

Year	IP	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	BAA	OBA	SLGA
2005	203.1	1.22	5.19	3.00	.236	.300	.394
2006	194.1	1.54	4.96	2.69	.309	.356	.448
2007	230.0	1.22	5.48	1.57	.269	.301	.378

Now, in Blanton's defense his Batting Average on Balls in Play has jumped from .249 to .336 to .301, so that bad year looks like a lot of bad luck. Furthermore, his K/9 has held pretty steady across all three seasons and those declining BB/9 would be a welcome change from the Farnsworth/Bruney approach to pitching.

Olney names the Reds as the frontrunners, and they have the advantage of being out of the National League and not the Yankees. The Reds also have the advantage of dangling Homer Bailey, who at this time last year was the second best pitching prospect in the game behind Phil somebody... until his mediocre control caught up to his electric stuff in AAA/MLB last season (60 walks in 112.2 combined IP).

Obviously, it's the secondary pieces that will make or break the deal, but I would be willing to move either Horne or Jackson plus a pair at the Jeff Marquez/George Kontos level.

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Comments

What's the point?

Do we really need him? A pitcher who, though he was with an offensively weak team, has W-L records barely over .500 and ERAs around 4? If Moose goes down and the Trinity are struggling, maybe. But I don't think we need him so desperately as to trade Horne or Jackson.

"If you lived in my grandfather's house...and you wanted to eat, you had to be a Yankees fan." --Joe Biden

by SenorSwanky on Feb 12, 2008 1:50 AM EST reply actions

Well

The reason to get him is the same reason to go after Santana: he's a third workhorse in the rotation to provide more flexibility in easing the kids along. The advantage is that (presumably) you wouldn't have to give up one of the Trinity to get him. Also, he's under team control for 3 more seasons.

If you think he's a guy who can offer you consistently good and occasionally great starts, then he's worth the shot.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Feb 12, 2008 2:09 AM EST up reply actions

Just think

The Mets were talking about getting Blanton, and then the Yankees sweep in and win the Blanton sweepstakes! Who cares about that Johan guy? But seriously, if we are trading no one of real 'value' to us for him, I see no reason not to. If the entire Trinity and Mussina bomb, we are looking at our number 3 starter. If they all do well, we are looking at a quasi-veteran (experienced, perhaps) number 5 starter. Good from all ends, assuming we pay next-to-nothing to get him (in terms of major league talent.)

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Feb 12, 2008 8:42 AM EST reply actions

He had a WHIP of 4.96 in 2006?

I actually think he would be worth a decent prospect. The only sure thing we have lined up for '09 at this point is Wang. We don't know how the trinity is going to work out or what Pettitte will do after this year. I would give up a Horne/Marquez for this guy.

by kuri3460 on Feb 12, 2008 9:25 AM EST reply actions

Wow, I don't know what I was trying to type

Let me fix that.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Feb 12, 2008 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

I know what happened

I added the K/9 and BB/9 after I'd already built the table. I accidentally added them before WHIP on the second line.

All fixed now!

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Feb 12, 2008 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

What are we giving up?

Blanton is not a bad pitcher. Low walk rates, but lots of contact. He's young and controlled for 3 years, but what are we giving up? Rumors were that Cash wouldn't part with Kennedy + lower prospects for Santana, not sure why he'd do that deal for Blanton.

I'd also like to hold on to Jackson and Tabata for a little while to see which one pans out. Remember that after this year there is no Abreu, and after '09 Damon and Matsui are free agents. I'm sure we'll sign someone, but it would be nice to have some outfield depth behind Melky.

by BigScooter on Feb 12, 2008 12:18 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

Jackson could have finally put all those tools together with his breakout in the second half of last year, or it could have been a fluke. I'd be more inclined to move him than Tabata, who is a year younger and has put up better numbers at the same levels as Jackson.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Feb 12, 2008 12:45 PM EST up reply actions