The Phillies have had discussions with John Maine's representation, agent Rex Gary confirmed to Andrew Marchand and Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The right-hander made just 24 starts in 2009 and 2010 and was non-tendered by the Mets this winter.
Philadelphia already has five starters with Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Joe Blanton. Ideally though, the Phillies would like to move Blanton and the $17MM he is owed over the next two seasons.
Maine, who turns 30 in May, would likely have to accept a minor league deal. The right-hander underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in July and his agent says that he has recovered very well.
Arent we trying to trade Joe Blanton becuz we have enough rotation arms? Take the money and put it towards something we need- bullpen help like Chad durbin
I would imagine it’s as a bullpen arm. Maine is decent but never holds up over a starter’s workload.
Bullpen help and Chad Durbin don’t belong in the same sentence.
Bullpen help and Chad Durbin don’t belong in the same sentence.
This is really, really funny to me. There must be someone, somewhere in the organization that they are trying to keep happy.
Clearly this is BS on the part of Maine’s team
What are the Phils going to do with Worley? After playing so well in limited starts/relief last season, figured he would at least be a bullpen arm…but they’re still looking.
well he still can be a bullpen arm. is never a bad thing to have someone with big league experience stashed in the minors. maine could signed to a minor league deal and than blanton traded. this would be a quality move on the phils part
why not blanton for brett myers?
cause they would be receiving the same player in return
Ed Wade might just be dumb enough to do that.
Too bad Joe Blanton sucks.
Yet he’d be a number 1 in a Mets line-up. If Joe sucks why does he own them?
lol wut? That’s why Niese, Dickey, Johan, Pelfrey all had 100% better years than him? and gave up 5 runs in 5.1 innings in April? Do you think before you type?
I like internet arguing with people that use statements like “100% better”. I’ll get an even bigger kick when Blanton gets traded to the Mets and he’ll be slotted in the 2 spot. Its okay, I’ll still like Blanton even if he gets stuck in Citi Caverns.
Citi would probably be the best thing for him…or Safeco, or Petco, etc. Dude’s HR/9 is outrageous.
-C
Blanton career vs. Mets: 3-1 with a 2.64 ERA in seven starts.
Guy’s got playoff experience, though. Might help your rotation, that, you know, doesn’t know what the playoffs are like.
I would love for the White Sox to sign Maine, and give him a chance to fight for the rotation spot Peavy will not fill, and keep Sale in the bullpen for another year.
This has nothing to do with Joe Blanton. The Phillies starting rotation depth is very thin at the AAA level. As the article says, he’d have to accept a minor league deal, and despite having Worley and Kendrick as suitable replacements, they still need the depth.
I remember when he threw 12 straight balls and another time threw two pitches to start the game and then was done. Good luck with him…lulz
Guy could barely break 80 mph with his fastball.
Please god no “BIG GAME” Maine. Dude is a waste. Minor league deal maybe a spot start late in Sept to rest some starters at the very most. Other then that, let someone like KC sign him.
Seems like another solid move by the Phillies. Maybe he could be another Rodrigo Lopez and win us a few games if one of the four aces goes down.
^Agreed. Funny how good Lopez was during that time and then went to the D-Backs and… I haven’t heard much from him since…
Anyway, the Phillies seem to luck out on these types of players. Except Kris Benson of course, but there have been players like Valdez who stepped up. Too bad the Mets gave him up.
Kris Benson, was that in 2008? I know we signed him but things just never really worked out. Just glad we acquired him through free agency, and not, you know, trading Ryan Howard for him…. ah, Ed Wade.
I see no hurry to unload Blanton. A month or 2 into the season some big name pitcher gets hurt (maybe even one of ours), and his contract becomes much more palatable. His pricetag only goes up if he starts the season well, and if he’s going up against other teams’ 4th and 5th starters, I like his odds. From what I’ve read, the Mets are interested but Rub doesn’t want to trade within the division… could be the Philly press bias through.