The Phillies get their arm: Joe Blanton

After the Brewers and Cubs made major moves to bolster their rotations, you knew it was only a matter of time before the Phillies responded. While the Phils weren't able to pick up a top line starter, they were able to acquire Joe Blanton, a serviceable pitcher, from the Oakland Athletics. The Phillies gave up three prospects in the deal: infielder Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman and outfielder Matt Spencer.

Blanton has been below average this year, accumulating a 5-12 record and sporting an ERA of 4.96. He was much better last year when his ERA was below 4, so the Phillies are hoping a change of scenery can help him return to form. Blanton is more of a number 3 starter than the top flight starter the Phils hoped to acquire, but he is an innings eater and he will be a big upgrade over Adam Eaton, who looks to have lost his spot in the rotation with Brett Myers returning next week.

While the Phillies were able to hold on to their best prospect, Carlos Carrasco, A's GM Billy Beane always seems to come out on the better end of these deals. Cardenas has the most upside of these players and Outman was seen as a possible option for the rotation down the road. That's a pretty big price to pay for a pitcher having a terrible year but it was one the Phillies thought they had to make to go for it all.

On the surface, it looks like the Phillies gave up way too much for a slightly above average pitcher, but if Brett Myers can come back and be the number 2 starter we all thought he could be and Joe Blanton assumes the number 3 role, then the rotation might actually round into something pretty good. That's a big "if", though. Blanton is under contract until 2010, so we will have plenty of time to find out if he is worth the price the Phillies paid.

Click here for Blanton's complete career statistics.