Pat Gillick finally made a move for starting pitching Thursday when he acquired right-handed starter Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics for prospects Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matt Spencer. Blanton was flying under the radar in terms of media attention, as the two biggest names listed as possibilities for a Phillie trade were Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett. Another thing ‘flying’ for Blanton is his ERA, 4.96. Blanton is 5-12 in 20 first-half starts for the Oakland Athletics.

Joe Blanton will be wearing Phillies pinstripes and will have to get used to playing with people in the stands. (Tovin Lapan)

This is really a low-risk move for the Phils that makes a lot of sense. None of the three prospects were named Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, or Greg Golson. They were the “untouchables” and the Phillies retained those three promising futures while getting some immediate help in the starting rotation. Blanton will be called upon to eat up some innings, something the pitcher he replaces, Adam Eaton, has failed to do recently. Also trading for a lower level pitcher in Blanton, insinuates the Phillies have faith that Brett Myers will return (possibly July 23) to the big club with a working fastball and better form.

But perhaps Blanton will surprise us. The past two mid-season trades the Phillies have made for pitching were for Kyle Lohse and Jamie Moyer. Moyer has been one of the Phils’ best pitchers this year with his blazing fastba–(sorry…I couldn’t finish that sentance seriously). Lohse was great in the second half last season, although many didn’t expect much. He was 6-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 starts with the Cincinnati Reds before coming to the Phils and his best ERA to end a season was 4.18 in 2005.

Blanton who was the opening day starter for Oakland can’t become a free agent until after the 2010 season. Moyer, Kendrick, and Hamels are scheduled to pitch against the Marlins, leaving an opening on Tuesday July 22, one day before Myers is scheduled to return. Blanton might get his first start replacing the agonizingly painful to watch Adam Eaton, who is 1-4 with a 9.64 ERA in his previous five starts. Because of his enormous contract Eaton would most likely be moved to the bullpen.