See Ya, Joe...

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In their continuing effort to "build for the future," the A's traded Joe Blanton to the Phillies for 3 prospects.

The A's got second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman (does anyone else picture a guy named Josh Outman hanging out with the dude in those Black Angus commercials while shaving with a knife and wrestling bears?), and outfielder Matt Spencer. Outman and Cardenas were 2 of Philly's top 5 prospects in the pre-season.

My first reaction to the trade was this: "How the hell did we get 3 prospects for Joe Blanton?"

I shouldn't hate on Joe. Although he was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA (and he's gotten lit up a couple of times this year), a few of those losses were due to poor offensive outings by the A's. Philly has the offense to back him up, but he's going to need it in their hitter-friendly park.

But although the A's got an ok haul for Blanton, the real winners in this trade are the cheesesteak vendors outside Citizens Bank Park. Zing!

"Dammit! Utley said he'd buy me a cheesesteak if I gave up less than 4 runs..."