Billy Beane continues the firesale of his rotation. Joe Blanton left pitcher-friendly McAfee Coliseum for Philadelphia yesterday, in return for three young prospects: 2B Adrian Cardenas, LHP Josh Outman and OF Matthew Spencer. This doesn’t strike me as a king’s ransom for a solid starter with two years left on his deal.

This move could help Blanton notch a couple more wins, but Citizens Bank Park is middle-of-the road for park factor, so don’t expect his ERA to drop drastically just because he goes to the NL. He should still post something in the low 4s, but I’m not sure this is enough to make him desirable in mixed leagues. His low K-rate is a concern.

The arrival of Cardenas makes it even less likely that the A’s will hang on to Mark Ellis after this seaason. Beane will take his draft pick (I’m assuming he’ll be a Type B free agent) and plug that hole with a cheap rookie. The Oakland farm system has undergone one of the most rapid transformations in recent history; just last year, it was considered one of the worst in the Majors, and now it is well-stocked with talent.