Yesterday saw the sixth top of the rotation starter traded since this winter. I know conventional wisdom says top-of-the-rotation starters are gold, and it is building towards the same value of prospects. However, I am not sure this balance of value isn't tilting towards the prospect side.
Look at the progression of value received for the starters. Other than Johan Santana, every one of them is under their acquring team's control through 2009 at a minimum.
The Trades (minor league level is at time of deal):
- Dan Haren and Connor Robertson for AAA OF Carls Gonzalez, High A LHP Brett Anderson, Double-A Greg Smith, LHP Dana Eveland, AA OF Aaron Cunningham, and Low A 1B Chris Carter
- Johan Santana for OF Carlos Gomez, Double-A RHP Kevin Mulvey, AAA Phil Humber and Low A RHP Deolis Guerra
- Erik Bedard for OF Adam Jones, LHP George Sherrill, High A RHP Chris Tillman, Double-A RHP Kam Mickolio and Low A LHP Tony Butler
- C.C. Sabathia for Double-A OF Matt LaPorta, Low A RHP Robby Bryson, AAA LHP Zach Jackson and a PTBNL rumored to be 3B Taylor Green or Double-A OF Michael Brantley
- Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for RHP Sean Gallagher, AAA players 2B Eric Patterson and OF Matt Murton, and Low A C Josh Donaldson
- Joe Blanton for High A 2B Adrian Cardenas, Double-A reliever LHP Josh Outman and High A OF Matt Spencer. (To read what was said earlier this season about the three Phillies' prospects. click here.)