It's been widely assumed that the Phillies would trade Joe Blanton after signing Cliff Lee, if for no other reason than to shed the $8.5MM he's owed in each of the next two seasons to create some salary relief. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that might not be the case, however.
"I don’t feel comfortable doing it," said Amaro. "He’s going to pitch for the Phillies, probably for the entire season … We do not need to trade the man."
The number of teams looking for starting pitching is plentiful, but one rival GM told Rosenthal there was "not a chance" that his team would want Blanton unless the Phillies ate a significant portion of his salary.
The 30-year-old right-hander pitched to a 4.82 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 175.2 innings last season. It was the first time he failed to throw at least 194 innings in a full season in his career, but you can blame that on an oblique strain that robbed him of all of April.
There are lies, damned lies, and things RAJ says. As a close Phils observer, season ticket holder and obsesser, I assure that this is a smoke screen. Blanton may be around even into the season, but only to protect against injury. He is a goner if anyone takes that salary.
I wouldn’t mind the Jays giving up a little something for Blanton, it would be nice to have a real fifth starter. Not that he would necessarily be our fifth starter, but to actually have five legitimate starters would be nice.
Yuck. I’d rather let Stewart or some of the other young guys get a chance before seeing Blanton.
I didn’t say he was a shoe-in. The more candidates the better for the rotation. I’m all for youth.
i am also a close phils observer, season ticket holder and obsesser and i think the offer he wanted isn’t there now. he can always go back later and say he is now comfortable, that is, when he gets the right offer.
Don’t get this honestly. Why give Kendrick a $2m (mostly undeserved) raise if he’s not going to crack the rotation? I like Blanton, he’s a great #5, but I was really hoping Kendrick and Worley would get the chance to compete for the #5 (a fight I see Worley winning easily).
The Phils have young arms coming…gonna have to put them somewhere. Really hope they don’t end up stunting someone’s growth because the rotation in the bigs is full.
i really hope to see more of worley. he looked great at the end of the season, and he’s got cool glasses.
Yeah he seemed to look good and has great minors numbers. Saw him pitch against us (marlins) and looked good. I’ve never been big on Blanton, but not bad for a number 5. And yes, he has very cool glasses
Looks like this spells the end of Worley, which I actually think is a smart decision. They need to put him in the bullpen or in the rotation, and he isn’t going to get much work at either spot at the major league level, be it Kendrick or Blanton penciled into the fifth spot. Let him pitch regularly in AAA. The Phils’ may not trade Blanton now, but eventually, they’ll need another starter, and having Worley at AAA for depth / injury insurance is excellent.
On the other hand, if the Phillies would use Kendrick specifically against right handed hitters, which surprisingly, he isn’t all that terrible against, he’d be alright. I’d rather pay him to be the last man out of the bullpen than butcher games in the rotation.
Absolute smokescreen. RAJ will hang onto Blanton until he finds a desperate GM at the trade deadline.
Blanton’s got a weird career split where he seems to pitch better in odd-numbered years. I could see him getting into a decent groove if he stays healthy. Then there will be a market, especially if that trash NYY rotation has trouble keeping up with the Red Sox and/or Pettite doesn’t come back.
and lidge pitches well in even yrs. here’s hoping this yr is different!
He won’t last until the trade deadline. Somebody’s 3 or 4 starter will go down in spring training and the Phils will get a better offer then. Otherwise they wouldn’t have given Kendrick 2.5 million.
Ok, in this rotation, it’s easy to see why Blanton is not my favorite, but he is a steady pitcher. You know what you are going to get every time that he walks onto the mound. He’ll give up a run or two in the first inning and then he’ll keep runs from scoring for the next 5. He’ll give you six quality innings, it’s around the seventh that he gets into trouble. The bullpen will always work on days that he pitches (which is fine, because they really won’t get much work on the other 4 days). He is not a bad option at all. The best #5 in all of baseball. He’s probably #4 or even a #3 on most teams.
Oh, and let me translate smug Ruben Amaro Jr speak: I have a deal and I’m just waiting to see if I can get a better one. Blanton is gone before Opening Day.
You are 100% correct…Well done! People love to hate on Bazooka Joe but he is a very solid #5 for the Phils. I too agree that he will get dealt when the right opportunity presents itself. Ruben has become a master of misdirection these days.
The title of “A master” would coincide with unpredictability, in my opinion
Acquired? He has been with them for years now…..
That one went right over your head.
Either he’s 1. Clueless or 2. Was making an attempt at humor