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Phillies Add Arm, Pick Up Blanton

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The Associated Press

Published: July 18, 2008

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland Athletics traded away their second starting pitcher this month, dealing burly right-hander Joe Blanton to the Philadelphia Phillies for three minor-leaguers Thursday.

A's general manager Billy Beane swapped Blanton a week after sending Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs - and that's with his team very much in contention in the AL West, six games behind the first-place Los Angeles Angels.

"Philadelphia was aggressive," Oakland assistant GM David Forst said. "They made it clear they needed a starting pitcher to help out and we were able to get the deal done."

The minor-leaguers involved are left-hander Josh Outman, who was in Double-A, and second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer, both players in Single-A.

"We've been attempting to upgrade our rotation and we feel like we've done that," Phillies assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle said.

MARINERS: Manager Jim Riggleman said ailing ace Erik Bedard, rumored to be coveted by contenders despite a demonstrated inability to last in his 15 starts, likely will not pitch early next week against Boston as originally hoped. That means Bedard would have just one start before the non-waiver trading deadline July 31 - assuming the left-hander's pitching shoulder is healthy again by then.

NOMO RETIRES: Hideo Nomo, who pitched a pair of no-hitters and led a rush of Japanese players to the major leagues, is finished.

Nomo announced his retirement, agent Don Nomura said. The 39-year-old was released by Kansas City in late April.

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