The Phillies acquired right handed starting pitcher Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor leaguers Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman and Matthew Spencer.  Cardenas and Outman were rated as top ten prospects in the Phillies system.  Blanton is an innings eater having pitched more than 200 innings in two of the past three seasons.  He has a record of 42 and 34 over that same time period.  Blanton has struggled at times this season and has a 5-12 record thus far for 2008 in 20 starts.  He is expected to replace Adam Eaton in the starting rotation with Brett Myers rejoining the rotation as well.

I believe it is an upgrade to the rotation, perhaps not a top of the rotation type pitcher but for what was exchanged he is well worth the risk.  It remains to be seen if any more transactions are made before the trade deadline passes.

Starting pitcher Cole Hamels says his $100,000 pay raise is a low blow from the Philadelphoia Phillies.  Hamels was expecting a lot bigger raise based on how he performed last season.  After earning $400,000 in 2007, Hamels will now earn $500,000 in 2008.

Since Hamels was not salary arbitration elegible so there really wasn’t anything he could do as the Philles re-worked his contract.

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The Philadelphia Phillies offered first basemen Ryan Howard $7 million dollars, and after going through salary arbitration, they will be paying him $10 million dollars.  The $10 million is the highest amount awarded a victorious player.

Hopefully Howard will get his batting average back over .300 and continue slugging homeruns and hitting runners in with this new contract.  Earn that extra $3 million dollars Ryan!

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Kris Benson has decided to sign a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies it sounds like.  Benson will get a invitation to Spring Training as well, and will give it a go to earn a spot in the starting rotation for the Phillies.

Benson might not be 100% until after opening day as he is still recovering from a torn laburm that he had to have surgery on.  You definately do not want to rush bringing him back.  Make sure he is 100% ready and then let him battle it out for a spot in the rotation.  If not, enjoy the minors lol.

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The Philadelphia Phillies have went out and signed Pedro Feliz to a two year contract for some reason.  Feliz is really making out on this deal, at most it should have only been a one year contract most Phillies fans think.

Look for Feliz to hit toward the bottom of the order for the Phillies. I really don’t think he will have much of an impact for the Phillies.  The Phillies could have probably done better but thought Feliz was the best deal out there at the time.

What do you think Phillies fans?

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The Philadelphia Phillies signed a couple of pitchers to hold down spots in the bullpen for the 2008 season.  Ryan Madson re-signed with the Phillies for one year at $1.4 million and Brad Lidge signed a contract for one year and $6.35 million.

So between the two players, the Phillies commited close to $8 million dollars between to relief pitchers.  Two of the better ones in the game though, so I think it is a good move.  You can never have too many good relief pitchers in baseball.  Lets hope Lidge recovers from his bad 07 season with the Houston Astros.

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