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Rays interested in Blanton?

by davidsmarch on Feb 7, 2008 12:41 PM EST

Regarding Blanton:

* One Rosenthal source suggests a 50/50 chance Blanton is traded (presumably before the season starts).
* Two teams are showing significant interest. Rosenthal believes the Reds are one, and the Twins or Rays could be another."

This guy is only 28, and posted a sub 4 ERA last year. He's not top 3, imo, but would pretty much be guaranteed a spot in the rotation.

Question is, who would we trade for him? What would it mean for the rotation/pen?

R.J.: a few things, Blanton would be under team control through 2010, makes 3.7 mil this year, and has a 4.66 ERA away from that large Oakland park.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Interesting that you would see a guy with 3 straight seasons of near or + 200 IP, double digit wins, and ERA's twice below 4 as "not top 3". Garza may be talented, but he hasn't really proven himself just yet - Blanton would be the clear #3 at this point. And he wouldn't be gotten for Sonnanstine and 3 others - a deal for him would mean a top prospect or 2, likely including at least 1 pitcher.

I don't see this one happening, but stranger things have, and the Rays have the chips if they're willing to ante.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 7, 2008 1:28 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

I agree that on the Rays Blanton is a #3, maybe even #2, given his track record. I think he is not considered more than mid-rotation because he does not really strike out many people. His BB rate has improved every year, but he is hittable.

My guess is that dealing with Beane means the Rays would have to give up at least one of McGee/Davis plus at least one other top prospect (Jennings?) and another player or two. If he could be had for 3 or 4 mid-level prospects, or perhaps for Niemann plus 2 or 3 prospects from among Mason, Fernando Perez, players of that ilk, I would think it ok. But I would be loathe to surrender much more.

I think the more reasonable window for the Rays to contend is 2009/10, not 2008, and although Blanton is young and would still contribute then, he is lower ceiling than the top pitchers in the system so it would mean either he blocks them or someone is traded.

Question: From the vantage point of 2008, which rotation would you prefer to contemplate for 2009?
Kazmir, Price, Davis, Shields, Garza
or
Kazmir, Price, Blanton, Shields, Garza

by bobr on Feb 7, 2008 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

He's got a 4.66 ERA away from Oakland...

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

While I agree they're fine prospects, Price and Davis don't come with guarantees, and I would expect that in 2009, Blanton is likely to be more successful in major league action, particularly when compared to Davis. Kids tend to take their knocks in year 1.

That's not to say that long term that might not be the correct choice. I don't see any reason for the Rays to do this deal - contingent on the cost, as are all trades of this nature. On Bob's terms it could be okay, but Billy Beane isn't negotiating with Bob. I agree with Bob that contention is still down the road. Trading for Blanton is a now move, and RJ's point about his road ERA is cautionary. There'll be other deals in the future if desired.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 7, 2008 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

I believe there are better pitchers we could acquire than Blanton, and I wouldn't have a qualm with dealing Davis or McGee for the right guy.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

How about Aaron Harang? Joe Nathan(w/ guarantee of a discounted extension)?

by Jacob Larsen on Feb 7, 2008 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Doesn't seem to me that the Reds are in much of a selling mood.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2008 9:29 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Oswalt might be a future target - with the way Wade values middle relievers maybe Balfour or Glover would do - LOL. The 'Stros could be in for hard times, but Wade doesn't seem to value young starters as much as others (see Tejada deal).

Next year might be the one to buy rather than trade - but teams have been locking up the best opportunities. The crop looks better now, but who knows what will happen by November? I just think the Rays can let things play out for now and see how the kids perform at the higher levels. You don't need them all to succeed - but their trade value would be helped if they continued so.

And the Twins have been talking extension re Nathan - they've dumped over $25 mil in payroll with Johan and Torii gone. But Nathan's been talking about "fair market value" this time around. They do have Neshek looking like an heir apparent, could use a leadoff CF type (Perez?), a righty corner IF (Guzman?) and they typically value young pitchers. And you guys have a friendly trading relationship already. So maybe Jake's on to something there.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 7, 2008 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Just say no to Nathan, for god's sake...

by rglass44 on Feb 7, 2008 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

who would the rays be willing to give up? they have plenty of talent in the minors and the A's are in a somewhat rebuilding year, im sure it wouldnt take TO much to bring him here...what an awesome starting rotation if Blanton was a ray!
projected starting rotation:
1. Scott Kazmir
2. James Shield
3. Joe Blanton
4. Matt Garza
5. Andy Sonnanstine
too me this says playoff berth...

by RAYS44 on Feb 7, 2008 2:13 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

how much longer is blanton under team control?

by stpetelawyer on Feb 7, 2008 3:38 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

This is his first arb year, so 2008, 2009, and 2010.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

i'd still like to have him, but for only 3 years it would not be worth giving up very much. i know others have said they believe he is easily our #3, possibly #2, i just don't see it. he had a good ERA, and a decent WHIP, but he is not spectacular, and has pretty much shown us what he's got, and that's middle of the rotation stuff. now i will admit there is a possibility that if we get him he starts out at 3 ahead of Garza, but only b/c management wants someone with more than a year experience pitching after the top 3. considering he'd have the most experience outside kazmir, it makes sense to have him in the middle.

by davidsmarch on Feb 7, 2008 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Doesn't shock me too much - between Jake constantly mentioning him, myself liking him, and our interest in Buerhle this past year, makes sense.

That being said, I doubt it happens.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2008 4:37 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

I'd like to know the price prior to making a comment like "Go, go gadget flow!" Although I'd suspect it's not as high, nor low, as we'd expect.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 7, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

all i have to say is David Price, Wade Davis, Jake McGee. we don't need no stinkin Blanton

by David Bloom on Feb 7, 2008 5:28 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

^^^^ agreed on all points RJ.

I actually like both of the deals with the Dodgers because we have two guys that could be parts of this team for the future.

Baez, et al wouldn't have helped us in a playoff push and Navarro, who I think will be our catcher for a while, and Jackson, who had a good second half last year, will likely contribute on this team when it counts. Ruggz could also be a fouth OF in the future, which is a need, or trade bait.

Maybe Zobrist or Talbot won't, but we needed to get Aubrey out of here, and who knows one of them may play a role at some point.

by rglass44 on Feb 7, 2008 6:41 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

I like Blanton a great deal, however, if the team were to make a deal, I would prefer a veteran starter with a little more pedigree and proven track record. The veteran anchor should have some pedigree on him and be a top 3 starter. I do not know if Blanton would fit the bill. He isn't a "poor man's Paul Byrd" (sorry for the analogy), but someone like that to simply fill out the rotation and establish some pedigree.

Joe

by joedobr on Feb 7, 2008 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

I just feel aquiring another starter whether it be Blanton or anyone else would hamper the possible future of several potential starters in our system already. Unless it's a frontline #1 or #2 I don't want him. Like someone else already said, "all I have to say is David Price, Wade Davis, and Jake McGee. we don't need no stinkin Blanton." I have a interesting question though. What if Curt Shilling is released from his contract like I hear he may in Boston. Would you sign him if he passed a physical or go with Sonnanstine/Jackson.

by iamthebiggesttloser on Feb 7, 2008 10:41 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Schilling is not getting released. The Sox have said that they will void his contract if he has surgery without permission. They are hoping (against hope) to squeeze something out of his arm down the stretch. They'd probably like to void the contract but since he passed their physical, I can't see that happening.

CS also stands to make another $2MM by keeping his weight down. I don't see why he can't make those bonuses. Good thing this didn't happen 2 weeks ago.

by ttnorm on Feb 7, 2008 11:05 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

This is an interesting situation.

It seems Schill's doc, who he credits on his website www.38pitches.com with saving his career, has suggested that without the surgery he has doubts Schilling will pitch this season, but that the surgery would have him back by the ASB. The 3rd doc disagrees, so the Sox are going for the rehab route. His injury was described as his biceps tendon being "spagettified". Ugh! Maybe they can just have the guy who sewed his ankle tendon in place in 2004 tie some knots around it and go from there! Hello bloddy sleeve.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 8, 2008 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Oops! That should be "bloody sleeve" of course.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 8, 2008 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Good info ttnorm. I just thought it would make for an interesting discussion. I am actually happy with the arms they have going into spring training and more happy about the future as the Rays have I think the finest minor league system in all of baseball. I would go for a Shilling if he were available to a year deal. He would provide a stopgap until David Price or Davis/McGee/Niemann is ready to play in the big leagues.

by iamthebiggesttloser on Feb 7, 2008 11:20 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rays interested in Blanton?

Hey guys,

I am trying to get my Rays forum more active. If you guys would like to join and post, please fell free. http://www.prosportsdaily.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=37

Sabres39

by Sabres39 on Feb 8, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply actions

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