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Pirates Acquire Joe Blanton

By Steve Adams | July 29, 2015 at 11:42pm CDT

The Pirates announced that they’ve acquired right-hander Joe Blanton from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations. Blanton had been designated for assignment by the Royals earlier this week despite generally solid numbers, and he’ll join the Pirates’ roster tomorrow.

Blanton made a nice comeback to the Majors this season after spending the 2014 season away from the game. He’s pitched quite well overall for the Royals, working to a 3.89 ERA with 8.6 K/9, 1.5 BB/9 and a 48.4 percent ground-ball rate in 41 2/3 innings split between the rotation and the bullpen. Blanton’s 90.8 mph average fastball is the fastest of his career, though one can imagine that’s partly attributable to the fact that 11 of his 15 appearances have come in a relief role.

The veteran Blanton seems likely to be asked to help the Pirates in a relief capacity, but he could also emerge as an option at the back end of their rotation eventually. Gerrit Cole, A.J. Burnett and Francisco Liriano have all turned in excellent seasons thus far, but each of Jeff Locke, Vance Worley and Charlie Morton has posted an ERA above 4.00.

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Kansas City Royals Transactions Joe Blanton

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View Comments (16)
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16 Comments

  1. citizen

    10 years ago

    This would be a great trade if it was 2009

    Reply
  2. robc21

    10 years ago

    LOL!

    Reply
  3. Cam

    10 years ago

    Why?

    Reply
  4. mwk89

    10 years ago

    maybe a depth move for a future acquisition?

    Reply
  5. Phillies2017

    10 years ago

    I don’t quite understand this move, but I can tell you that it is going to work. Pirates always get the best out of their pitchers. IDK how they do it, but Burnett Liriano and Volquez (I know he’s not there anymore but still), all really excelled with them.

    Reply
    • joew

      10 years ago

      There are plenty of reclamation projects that don’t work out. Johnathn Sanchez was probably the most notable.

      Reply
      • ronnsnow

        10 years ago

        Sanchez refused to buy into the Pirates system. He wanted to do things his own way…and now he’s out of baseball.

        Reply
  6. Hannibal8us

    10 years ago

    I guess I can’t complain got a serviceable RP for nothing, much rather this than overpaying for someone at the deadline.

    Reply
  7. vtadave

    10 years ago

    Gotta counter the Rangers move I guess.

    Reply
  8. Brixton

    10 years ago

    1/4th of the Pirates pitching staff is former Phillies. lol

    Reply
  9. scalenesofar

    10 years ago

    Once I got over the disgust I felt at reading the initial headline, rational thought took over and I don’t hate this. After thinking about who he’d replace on the roster (without further roster moves), the only person that makes sense is Deolis Guerra. (I’m not sure if he has options.) He’s obviously not going to take work away from the core of Melancon, Watson, and Hughes. Bastardo has his purpose and has been better of late. Worley is not going anywhere. I think it’s too early to give up on Caminero and I think his delivery can be fixed. Guerra’s only really pitched in low leverage situations, so this could potentially be an upgrade. He has a sinker and a cutter in his arsenal I think he’s exactly the kind of guy Searage can help. And if not, he was acquired for basically nothing.

    Reply
  10. eedwards027

    10 years ago

    Who needs Cole Hamels?

    Reply
  11. thebuccosjanitor

    10 years ago

    Good pickup, no prospect lost, better bullpen option than david guetta, david guerra, whatever his name is…

    Reply
  12. joew

    10 years ago

    good pickup, great price. much improved numbers this year for him. should do better than some of the other middle relief options. Worst case they flip him out or let’m go if they find a better option.

    Reply
  13. ronnsnow

    10 years ago

    Good move. Pirates pitching depth in the minors has been depleted by injury. And Blanton is a better bullpen option than Guerra or Caminero right now

    Reply
  14. domaug

    10 years ago

    well, he’s better than Caminero and Bastardo, so there’s that, and they didn’t give up any prospects for him.

    i can’t complain, but if this is their only move, they haven’t really improved the team all that much.

    Reply

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