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Phillies: 5 trades that won the 2008 World Series

By George Stockburger

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 29: The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate with their fans after they won 4-3 against the Tampa Bay Rays during the continuation of game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 29, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 29: The Philadelphia Phillies celebrate with their fans after they won 4-3 against the Tampa Bay Rays during the continuation of game five of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 29, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 26: Joe Blanton
PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 26: Joe Blanton /

The great Phillies teams were known for their pitching, but the 2008 team lacked the starpower brought in by Ruben Amaro Jr. after 2008. It was a staff that heavily relied on Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer while getting what it could from Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, and Adam Eaton.

Myers struggled extensively midway through the season and had issues with the coaching staff giving him the early pull. Myers was demoted to the minors in July to work on mechanical issues, and J.A. Happ got time in the starting rotation.

Remarkably, the 2008 team only used seven starters the entire year, a major key to how they won it all. The organization needed more than Hamels and Moyer turning out impressive starts and Kyle Kendrick giving back end of the rotation efforts.

Help was needed, and fast.

While not the flashiest name on the trade market, Joe Blanton entered the 2008 clubhouse as a solid middle of the rotation arm who could eat innings. Making 13 starts for Philadelphia in the regular season, Blanton turned out a 4-0 record with a 4.20 ERA, third best among the team’s starters with at least five starts. Oakland traded him away at the age of 27 coming off a season where he led all of baseball with 34 starts.

Blanton’s production in the postseason made his acquisition even more notable. The righty made three starts, all of which the team won, including a six inning performance in the World Series that included a legendary home run off Edwin Jackson in the fifth inning.

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