Someone pointed out that he is not particularly good away from Oakland. As a matter of fact, in 2007, the ERA split was 2.69 at home and 5.11 on the road. The year before it was 4.52 & 5.12 and in his career, 3.55 & 4.66.

As a matter of fact, while he was very good in 2005 with an ERA+ of 123, he hasn’t come close to that since. Despite his 16-12 record in 2006, his 4.82 ERA was only an ERA+ of 92, below league average. And in 2007, he was just above league average at 106. He is very hittable & does not strike out many people. But because he has some experience, is young and cheap and has proven himself in the majors, he will command some talent to get him. I am not sure that Sonnanstine cannot do just as well or better, and if so, then Blanton is essentially a one year rental unless he blocks the talent coming through the system. Or unless he provides some insurance if the Rays can trade one of their more accomplished pitchers for help elsewhere.

I am not as enthusiastic about Hughes as you are A.J. I certainly think his 2007 season was promising, but I don’t see it as great, especially for a first baseman. His power is moderate at best and his walk rate is also about adequate. He finally got to AA for a short time at the end of the season as a 23 year old. Essentially, he hit for a high average as a 23 year old in high A ball. I certainly do not see him supplanting either Johnson or Barton in Oakland in the next few years either as a DH or first baseman. Both will still be in their prime; in fact, Hughes is older than Barton.

My guess is that if Blanton is dealt, the A’s receive at least 1 top prospect in the McGee/Davis class plus 2 or 3 other promising young players of the order of Mason/Perez/Hellickson, maybe even Jennings. I doubt the deal you suggest would get done even if Niemann were added.

Think of it this way. Would you trade Shields (who is less proven than Blanton) to the A’s for Lenny DiNardo, Justin Duchscherer and Wes Bankston? DiNardo and Duchscherer have performed better than Glover and Hammel in the majors, and Bankston has played at a higher level than Hughes and was recently a serious prospect-more so than Hughes is right now.