Are Adam Eaton's days as a Phillies' starter numbered?  Thursday afternoon, the Phillies traded three prospects for Oakland Athletics pitcher Joe Blanton which might mean the Phillies have seen enough out of Eaton this season.  To land Blanton, the Phillies sent second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer from Class A Clearwater and pitcher Josh Outman from Double-A Reading.

Blanton has struggled in 2008 but is tied for the American League lead in starts and is sixth in innings pitched.  He set a club record with 12 losses prior to the All-Star break and is currently tied for the Major League lead in losses.  At the break, Blanton was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA, was third in the AL in hits allowed and tied for third in runs.  In his career, the 27-year old right-hander is 47-46 with a 4.25 ERA in 122 games with all but four being starts.

With the addition of Blanton, the Phillies will add him to the rotation.  How this affects the return of Brett Myers from Triple-A Lehigh Valley scheduled for next week's series with the Mets or the future of Eaton is unknown.  Eaton is 1-5 with a 8.40 ERA in his last six starts.

The Athletics received the Phillies' number two and number four prospects in Cardenas and Outman.  Cardenas, 20, hit .309 with four homers and 23 RBI in 67 games at Clearwater and was a perfect 16-for-16 in stolen bases.  Outman, 23, is a lefty and was 5-4 with a 3.20 ERA at Reading.

To round out the trade, the Athletics picked up Spencer, a 22-year old outfielder from Clearwater who was the Phillies' third round pick in 2007.  At Clearwater, Spencer hit .249 with six home runs and 41 RBI in 84 games.

Of bruised deceased equines, Barry Bonds, labor law and Godwin's law and thee.   more »

NEW YORK -- It wasn't the most exciting Futures Game in recent history, but then again, today wasn't really about the game. It was about the players. The league's brightest prospects gathered together to greet the media, put on a show for the fans, and take in Yankee Stadium.

I was privileged once again to attend today's event as "working media." Player access was somewhat limited (that seems to be a theme lately), but I did get to talk to a few people and take a bunch of photos during batting practice and warmups. Here's a little synopsis of today's festivivities...

- Our own Matt LaPorta was the star attraction today. Had this game taken place 2 weeks ago, things would be a lot different. But good for Matt. He deserves the attention.

- There were far less fans at today's game than at the Futures Game in Detroit in 2005. I can't understand or explain that one. Maybe the ticket prices drove people away.

- The usual suspects were all in attendance...Peter Gammons and Steve Phillips of ESPN, John Manuel and Will Lingo from Baseball America, Jeff Passan from Yahoo Sports, etc.

- I got to meet John Blundell, Manager of Media Relations for MLB, and he was a really, really nice guy. It's amazing what he accomplishes with so many people breathing down his neck.

- After the crowd finally moved away from LaPorta, I got a chance to say hi to Matt. He showed a look of relief and gave me a big man hug. That actually felt pretty special! I told him he's like a rock star now. He laughed and said "It's been crazy, but this is pretty fun!" I agreed. Matt promised we'll talk more after he gets settled back in Akron.

- Speaking of hot commodities, Erin Andrews is well, one of those. ESPN has done something right over the past few years.

- The more events I attend as "working media," the less I want to be a journalist...not that I ever wanted to be a journalist or beat reporter. I know this may get me in trouble, but the more journalists and reporters I meet in person, the more I understand player frustrations with members of the media who know nothing about playing the game. You get where I'm going with this? Granted, it's not everyone, but you get the picture.

- Call me crazy, but I don't understand all the fuss about Yankee Stadium. So legends played there. Big deal. Legends played everywhere. Maybe I've been to Yankee Stadium too many times that it just bores me now.

 

- Oh, and one other thing about Yankee Stadium and the planning for this week...for all the money that has been put into this event, MLB and NYC could have done a better job of setting up promotions, activities, and vendors in the South Bronx. Sure, there are a few billboards and posters, but a little more flair wouldn't hurt.

- The legendary Ozzie Smith came out to take infield practice with the U.S. team. He still moves around pretty well. I don't think he'll be doing flips again anytime soon, but he made all the plays on balls hit in his vicinity.

- Not that he needs me to pump him up, but the ball REALLY jumps off the bat of Milwaukee prospect Mat Gamel. The sound of contact was different from any other player I watched today.

- Another guy you probably never heard of that showed a nice stroke at the plate was Arizona's Jamie D'antona. The 26 year-old really isn't much of a prospect, but he has a nice little stroke at the plate. I could see him contributing to a team at the big league level.

- Did I mention that Erin Andrews looks good? Maybe we can make her the Official Pinup Girl of BDD a la Aaron Gleeman. Oh, that's Peter Gammons there on the right if you somehow moved your focus off Ms. Andrews.

- Yankees GM Brian Cashman made an appearance and every reporter seem to rush over to him. He's a lot smaller than I expected him to be.

Well that about wraps it up for today. Enjoy the All-Star Game everyone, and we'll see you back after the break!

Red Sox right-hander prospect Michael Bowden was placed on Double-A Portland's disabled list with a sore calf. Bowden reportedly is not injured and the move was done to the Sea Dogs could activate fellow starter Dustin Richardson.

The New Hampshire Union Leader reports Bowden, Boston's seventh-ranked prospect by Baseball America, will be promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket following the Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday.

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Red Sox left-hander prospect Dustin Richardson threw five innings, struck out four and gave up one run in his return from a disabled list stint with a sore left shoulder. Boston's 22nd-ranked prospect by Baseball America has 69 strikeouts in 65.6 innings with Double-A Portland.

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Braves left-hander prospect Chad Rodgers was placed on Low-A Rome's disabled list with a left shoulder strain. Atlanta’s 16th-ranked prospect by Baseball America has two wins and ten losses through 14 starts in the South Atlantic League.

The body is not yet cold. Now what do I do?

A week ago I wrote "The Toronto Blue Jays are fatally flawed. I think it may be time to run up the white flag." Toronto was 14 games out and was finishing up what would be a miserable 2-4 west coast trip. Since then, the Jays swept the Orioles and took two of three from the Yankees while the Rays have lost seven straight.

Now the Blue Jays are 8.5 back at the break.

A.J. Burnett was masterful today on three days rest: 8.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER 1 BB 8 K on less than 100 pitches--it was the sort of completely unexpected effort that gives fans hope that better days are ahead; all the more so since Roy Halladay was even better on Friday (9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER 0 BB 8 K ).

Yes, despite taking two of three from the Yankees the Jays did all their scoring in the first two innings over the weekend with four runs in the first inning on Saturday and four in the second frame today before reverting to their usual getting men into scoring position and leaving them there the rest of the way.

Still, it’s a better outcome than I thought would happen this weekend. I figured after Halladay, since Gaston’s initial plan of having Jesse Litsch go Saturday and lefty reliever Brian Tallet on Sunday (in what would be a Charlie Wholestaff game) would mean two losses. After all, Litsch hasn’t been pitching well of late and the Bronx Bombers always hit him hard and the Wholestaff game versus Andy Pettitte looked to be a foregone conclusion.

I had guessed that Cito figured with Litsch starting, Saturday would be the game where the bullpen would be needed for a lot of innings and opted to see what Burnett could do on three days rest. Well, Litsch delivered as expected and couldn’t hold a three-run cushion for 30 pitches (although he did throw the inning ending pitch that was booted by Marcos Scutaro) and A.J. did the unexpected and probably made his best start of 2008.

The Jays are 12-9 under Gaston and are so despite the struggles of Litsch (1-5, 5.56 ERA over his last eight starts), Dustin McGowan (1-3, 5.81 ERA over his final five starts before being shelved) and Burnett (4-3, 6.91 ERA over his previous seven starts prior to today), not having Shaun Marcum available, Vernon Wells getting hurt recently, Alex Rios away for the series (to be with his wife during delivery), Scott Rolen batting .111/.238/.139 in July (before today), Gregg Zaun hitting .087/.250/.087 over the previous nine games, Rod Barajas doing no better (.167/.167/.333) over his last nine, Matt Stairs batting .205/.333/.325 since mid May and of course not having Aaron Hill.

Still, the Jays have gotten it done.

Amazing.

It’s still a longshot to think the Jays will be in it come September but Adam Lind is hitting well since his recall (.350/.369/.633), Alex Rios is .338/.370/.506 since Cito took over the Jays, Joe Inglett .339/.383/.482 likewise, have hit into just nine double plays over their last 15 games and there’s a player on the market (or soon to be) who hit .260/.363/.512 on the road and kills lefties .344/.423/.623 this year. He's hitting .350/.435/.500 in Toronto this year and is a career .316/.397/.565 hitter at the Dome and he‘d cost the pro-rated minimum.

I speak of course of Richie Sexson.

He’s not the saviour to be sure but he’d be a very useful bat and a source of pop--especially against lefties of whom the Jays are batting just .244/.323/.335 this year.

Considering he costs chump change and a roster spot (such as Kevin Mench or Brad Wilkerson’s cadaverric .182/.325/.212 the last month) it strikes me as a no-brainer--he’d be the team leader in home runs right from the get-go.

At the very least, the post All Star break will quickly settle whether the Jays will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline--they cannot ask for a better schedule to get back into things: they have four against the Orioles, three against the Mariners and six against the Rays. If they go 9-4 with at least four wins against the Rays (preferably five) and I think they have a half-decent shot. In the “dare to dream” department--two sweeps could conceivably have them within three games of the Rays with the Red Sox in their sights as well.

I said it was a dream.

One week ago I was ready to officially run up the white flag--well, the Jays have been given an extension until the end of July before I start looking to 2009 in earnest.

Best Regards

John

P.S.

Free Wayne McMahon!!

Follow the links and read up to the saga of a Rogers Centre institution. Thanks to the good folks at Drunk Jays Fans word is getting out about the firing of a legendary suds-salesman. If you’re at the Dome raise a cheer and show your support in getting Wayne his job back.

All you have to yell is: ICE. COLD. BEEEEEEEERRR!!!

On Saturday, he blew a five run lead in the ninth inning which cost Rich Harden his first win as a Cub.  Today, Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol is an All-Star.  National League manager Clint Hurdle named Marmol as the replacement for Kerry Wood who had to be removed from the All-Star roster due to a blister.

Hurdlesaid Marmol was selected because he received more votes than any other reliever not selected from the Player's Ballot.  Now, Marmol will not get the rest Cubs manager Lou Piniella was expecting him to get during the All-Star break to help get him back on track.

In 49 games in 2008, Marmol is 2-3 with three saves and a 4.13 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings pitched.

Tigers shortstop prospect Cale Iorg has not played for High-A Lakeland since injuring his shoulder on Thursday. Detroit is awaiting test results on the right shoulder of its second-ranked prospect according to Baseball America.  

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Rays prospects right-hander Wade Davis and catcher John Jaso will be promoted on Monday to Triple-A Durham from Double-A Montgomery. The promotion of Tampa Bay's fourth and 13th-ranked prospects by Baseball America will follow the Southern League All-Star Game on Monday.

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Diamondbacks right-hander prospect Max Scherzer will throw two or three bullpen sessions following the Pacific Coast League All-Star break before returning from the disabled list. Arizona's fourth-ranked prospect by Baseball America hasn't pitched for Triple-A Tucson since June 15.

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Ranger right-hander prospect Michael Main was promoted to Low-A Clinton from the Arizona League. Texas' sixth-ranked prospect by Baseball America evokes comparisons to Bret Saberhagen for his slight-build, plus-plus arm strength, intelligences, and determination.

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The Astros' first-round draft pick catcher Jason Castro signed a contract with a $2 million bonus and was assigned to short season Low-A Tri-Cities. The tenth overall pick in June's First-Year Player Draft starred at Stanford and in the Cape Cod League before going pro.

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The Tiger's first-round draft pick right-hander Ryan Perry signed a contract with a $1.48 million bonus and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League. The 21st pick in June’s First-Year Player Draft threw a 95 to 96 mile per hour fastball while at the University of Arizona.

Here are your starting lineups for today's Futures Game at Yankee Stadium. You can watch the game live on ESPN2 starting at 12:30 PM. I'll be in attendance at the event and will have news, notes, quotes, and photos later this afternoon.

U.S. All-Stars
LF Andrew McCutchen (PIT)
2B Cliff Pennington (OAK)
3B Mat Gamel (MIL)
DH Jamie D'Antona (ARI)
RF Nate Schierholtz (SF)
1B Matt LaPorta (CLE)
CF Dexter Fowler (COL)
C Lou Marson (PHI)
SS Jason Donald (PHI)

P Clayton Richard (CWS)

World All-Stars
2B Ivan DeJesus (LAD)
SS Elvis Andrus (TEX)
LF Wilkin Ramirez (DET)
1B Pablo Sandoval (SF)
3B Luke Hughes (MIN)
DH Scott Campbell (TOR)
CF Fernando Martinez (NYM)
C Welington Castillo (CHC)
RF Gorkys Hernandez (ATL)

P Carlos Carrasco (PHI)