It's Official...

The Philadelphia Phillies and Joe Blanton have agreed to a 3 year/$24 million dollar contract. This deal seems strangely reminiscent of the deal they signed with Adam Eaton years ago. Blanton is a pitcher in the same mold as Eaton, although obviously with better numbers (Eaton had a league-worst 6.29 ERA as a starter in 2007, while inexplicably going 10-10). No history of injury problems like Eaton had, and hopefully a brighter future.

Shane Victorino and Carlos Ruiz are the only two players the Phillies have left in arbitration.

Good one, Joe.

Joe Blanton wants $10 million in arbitration. The Phillies have offered $7.5 million. Good luck with that figure, Joe. Let's remember that Tim Lincecum has only asked for $13 million, and that Lincecum is definitely way more than $3 million superior to Blanton. You'll get eight, Joe, and you'll be happy.

Dream big, I guess.

In other news, I'm swamped with work this semester. Between writing for other outfits and my class schedule, this blog will be sort of a "last resort" for me. Maybe you'll all get lucky and Kevin will take a break from Assassin's Creed every once in a while to write an article, but I wouldn't count on it.

My goal is for weekly posts, probably on Sundays. If that doesn't happen, I'm sorry.

Your N.L. Cy Young Champion for 2010...

...is obviously not picked yet. We're not even IN 2010 yet. But the heavy favorite has got to be Roy Halladay, the Phillies' latest trade acquisition. The best pitcher of the last decade, he came to Philadelphia to win a World Series. Seth and I are on opposite sides of this debate, because I love this deal. Sure, we gave up Drabek. We still held onto top position prospect Dominic Brown, and we got the Mariners two top pitching prospects. The people who liked this trade even more than myself? The bullpen. Over the last 5 seasons, Halladay has thrown 34 complete games. To put that into perspective, here is a little factoid: Over the last 5 seasons, the Phillies have had 8 pitchers make at least 20 starts in a season. These 8 pitchers are: Hamels, Moyer, Meyers, Lieber, Lidle, Padilla, Happ, and Blanton. These pitchers, over the last 5 season, have COMBINED to throw 32 complete games. Given the Phillies' bullpen woes over the years, I love this deal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

...And I'm writing again.

It's only December, but the 2010 season already looks like a promising one for the Phillies. It's obvious that they are the favorite in the National League after winning the pennant two years in a row. They have also swapped out their temporary ace (Cliff Lee) for one of the greatest pitchers of our time (Roy Halladay.) However, it's not all good news in Philadelphia. In the coming weeks and months, I will work on some pieces about the following question marks on the roster:

• Pedro, Blanton, and the back end of the rotation
• Brad Lidge
• The strikeout-happy middle of the lineup
• Barren farm system
• That Hamels guy

That should hopefully tide me over until pitchers and catchers report. Also, thanks to Kevin for throwing up some posts in the past few weeks. I did have every intention of keeping this up once December rolled around, but I just hadn't gotten around to it. Anyway, I'm back in action or something like that. Keep checking by every once in a while for some half-witted analysis on your favorite Philadelphia-area MLB franchise.

The Roy Halladay Deal

Does this feel like July, or what? No, wait, it doesn't feel a thing like July. If it was July, I would be eagerly awaiting more news about Carlos Carrasco's mysterious scratched-start and then wondering why it felt like the Cliff Lee deal was the greatest move the Phillies had ever made. Also, it's cold. So, no, it doesn't feel like July.

No, it feels like another cold December, and it looks like the Roy Halladay deal does more to hurt the Phillies now than it would have in July. Remember the names tossed around at that point? The Jays wanted (at least) Jason Knapp, Kyle Drabek, Jason Donald, and J.A. Happ. The Phillies said scoffed at the idea of parting ways with Drabek, and they sent Lou Marson, Carlos Carrasco, Donald, and Knapp to Cleveland to get Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco. Less than six months later, and they've now sent Lee away to Seattle in return for Halladay. Oh, plus they sent the Jays Michael Taylor and Travis D'Arnaud.

Oh, yeah, and Kyle Drabek.

Wait. I thought they didn't want to give up Drabek? So, the Phillies sent away seven prospects (Marson, Carrasco, Donald, Knapp, Taylor, D'Arnaud, and Drabek) for Roy Halladay, Ben Francisco, and three prospects with way less upside than the seven they gave up? This seems brilliant, especially considering they could've saved two prospects in that deal by completing it six months ago. Sure, this is a sound financial decision that does little to affect the big-league club, but saying goodbye to Joe Blanton would be too. This deal still does not make a whole lot of sense to me, and I've been reading about it for the past two days. When is it supposed to make me feel good, Ruben?

To the people who say the Fightins should have kept Lee for this year and had a rotation of Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Blanton, and Martinez: Are you serious? You're probably the people who screamed and shouted about the Yankees buying the World Series a couple of months ago, too.

Maybe I'll calm down by April, but right now, I'm a little confused. Someone help me out, please.

BWHA?!

Lee to Seattle. Halladay to Philadelphia. Prospects are involved, but we don't know who, or even where yet. The deal is said to be finalized when Halladay signs a contract extension with the Phillies. When this is all said and done, I love it. Halladay throws tons of innings, and is even better than Lee (although nobody is making light of what Lee did with this team. We still love him for it). I would've loved to have kept Lee and traded prospects, but such is life. I am now entering into this season even more excited than last year. If that's even possible.

Polanco is back

Placido 'La Frente' Polanco is back with the Phillies. A high average, low strikeout hitter, which is exactly what they need. And what's this...he's a righty?! Thank you, Ruben. And moderately priced at 3 years/18 million.

('La Frente' translates to 'the front', which was the best translation I could get that would mean 'The Forehead'. Because, quite frankly, look at that picture and tell me you can't help but stare.)