With yesterday's acquisition of A's pitcher Joe Blanton, the Phillies have immediately upgraded their rotation. If you don't believe it, then I'll illustrate why.
A. The trickle-down effect as I call it. Eaton is out of the rotation. Now, Hamels will be the top gun, followed by Blanton, Moyer, Kendrick, and Happ/Myers.
B. They gave up virtually nothing. Outman projects as a middle reliever in the majors and Cardenas plays at a position that the Phillies have occupied by Utley and Rollins-who aren't going anywhere anytime soon. And, Matt Spencer was a throw-in.
C. Blanton is the one pitcher remaining on the market who didn't have injury concerns. And, he has a career ERA in the lower 4's and had two seasons with a sub 4.00 ERA and a WHIP of 1.20.
He's nothing spectacular but a solid major league starter that will be their #2 starter. I personally would have liked to see them go after Roy Oswalt, but perhaps they along with many other teams are scared off by the lingering hip injury. And, Erik Bedard is a headcase and DL visit waiting to happen.
All in all, I give the Phils a B+ for this move.
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Swap of agents
So one day Lito Sheppard fires his agent to hire Eagles nemesis Drew Rosenhell. And, the next day Brian Westbrook dumps his agent for Lito's former agent.
Say what?!
What in the world is Westbrook thinking by hiring an agent who couldn't make any progress with the Eagles on a contract?
It's obvious that both players are disgruntled with their contracts, but then again who isn't in the NFL aside from the 5-10% top paid players? Asante Samuel comes in on an $8 million annual salary and Lito is still making $4 million per season on average. That's the way it goes. If you sign your name to that contract it's a one-way street. As a player you're obligated to stand by that agreement, but the team may cut you at any time.
This is both the curse and gift of the NFL. It gives teams financial flexibility by cutting player who are no longer cut out for the game, but it also pisses players off who see other players making much more than them.
What does this mean for the Eagles? Hard to say, but I'm willing to guess that Westbrook and the Eagles will find some middle ground because he wants a contract similar to what L.T. received in 2004, but L.T. was a lot younger at that point then Westbrook is now. L.T. was in just his 4th season and about 25 years old, while Westbrook is entering his 7th season and ready to turn 29 years old.
If I were the Eagles I'd give Westbrook a 4-year extension with a $15 million bonus. I don't care what Howard Eskin says, the Eagles can tear up that contract and give him a new one.
Veterans report to camp next Thursday.
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