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hiaspire · July 18th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Are you guys the same ones who thought Edinson Volquez was crap just going by the numbers this off-season? Talent evaluation matters too.

Cardenas was rated #76 top prospect overall going into the season by Baseball America and just missed the top 25 in their mid-season update recently. His stock is rising in the eyes of many from a scouting perspective and most rate him as the top 2B in the minors. The A's just happen to have an upcoming need there and an interest in adding young talent.

Blanton is over-rated if called a #2 starting pitcher. He's 5-12 with ERA near 5.00. He gets shelled regularly and is very up-and-down with inconsistency from game-to-game and season-to-season. One up, one down. He doesn't strike out many, isn't overly impressive otherwise, and is likely a very replaceable mid-to-back-of-the-rotation type guy I would guess for most of his career. Beane usually gets these things right, despite some initial questions when he trades someone.

I disagree that it hurts the Phillies future, though, as Cardenas likely has no future with them with Utley there. He's a very valuable trade chip for them in higher demand. If you were the Phillies and looking to add MLB difference-makers (rumors of them also talking to the Rox recently about Holliday) why on earth would you give up one of your top trading chips that you can afford to deal for Blanton??

That would be my concern as a Phillies fan that there are far BETTER names on the trade market to use Cardenas to try to land.

The A's aren't crying too much about losing Blanton as they've had some frustrations with him and with all their young arms in the system. Cardenas will be up sooner to make an impact than you think I'm guessing with the A's losing their 2B next year and Cardenas probably hitting in AA before the year is over.

July 18th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#19 (permalink)
hiaspire Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 481	Are you guys the same ones who thought Edinson Volquez was crap just going by the numbers this off-season? Talent evaluation matters too. Cardenas was rated #76 top prospect overall going into the season by Baseball America and just missed the top 25 in their mid-season update recently. His stock is rising in the eyes of many from a scouting perspective and most rate him as the top 2B in the minors. The A's just happen to have an upcoming need there and an interest in adding young talent. Blanton is over-rated if called a #2 starting pitcher. He's 5-12 with ERA near 5.00. He gets shelled regularly and is very up-and-down with inconsistency from game-to-game and season-to-season. One up, one down. He doesn't strike out many, isn't overly impressive otherwise, and is likely a very replaceable mid-to-back-of-the-rotation type guy I would guess for most of his career. Beane usually gets these things right, despite some initial questions when he trades someone. I disagree that it hurts the Phillies future, though, as Cardenas likely has no future with them with Utley there. He's a very valuable trade chip for them in higher demand. If you were the Phillies and looking to add MLB difference-makers (rumors of them also talking to the Rox recently about Holliday) why on earth would you give up one of your top trading chips that you can afford to deal for Blanton?? That would be my concern as a Phillies fan that there are far BETTER names on the trade market to use Cardenas to try to land. The A's aren't crying too much about losing Blanton as they've had some frustrations with him and with all their young arms in the system. Cardenas will be up sooner to make an impact than you think I'm guessing with the A's losing their 2B next year and Cardenas probably hitting in AA before the year is over. Last edited by hiaspire; July 18th, 2008 at 03:56 PM.