The Phillies have expressed interest in shedding some of their payroll and they plan to start with Joe Blanton. Blanton is due to make $8.75 million next season and if they could trade him and save a few million it would be more than worth it.
The Phillies rotation doesn’t need a guy like Blanton, is he a good number five pitcher? Sure, but with a rotation centered around three of the league’s best, Vance Worley, who had a great rookie campaign, and Kyle Kendrick still trying to crack the rotation, unfortunately the 31-year-old is just dead weight.
The hefty righty was sidelined with nerve damage in his throwing arm which originally predicted him to miss 3-4 weeks, but left him ailing his right elbow for the rest of season. He had eight starts last year, but finished his short season with a 1-2 record and a 5.01 ERA.
Blanton’s best year in Philly was during the ‘09 season when he posted a 4.05 ERA and tallied twelve wins in 31 starts. His highlight as a Phillie came in the 2008 Post Season, when he belted a monster homerun off of Edwin Jackson in the fifth inning of Game Four of the World Series.
After the game the odd slugger said, “I just close my eyes and swing hard in case I make contact.” Blanton came home from that series with a ring and achieved something that not many players ever get to in their careers; hit a homerun in the World Series.
The peak of Blanton’s career is over and with an elbow injury looming, questions about his durability are beginning to arise. The Phillies aren’t looking to get much for the once solid starter, their main concern is getting rid of his contract, which I just don’t see happening.
If Ruben Amaro Jr. can cut a deal that leaves the Phillies paying half of the overpaid Tennessee native’s contract they have to jump on it. With an extra three million in the budget, the Phillies can either sign another starter, Roy Oswalt who hasn’t been making much progress with the Red Sox or the free agent market at large, or address another of the team’s issues, Third Base or the Outfield.
The best thing for the Phillies to do with Joe Blanton is to cut their losses and hope someone is desperate enough to pick up his poorly structured contract for its final season.
**Paulman Trade Alert**
Phils Trade RHP Blanton, 3B P Polanco to the Boston Red Sox for 3B
Kevin Youkliss
Polonco’s healthy Paul. He’ll have a bounce back year with some strategic rest this year.
Package him and a minor leaguer for a bag of baseballs and some HubbaBubba for Roy. Least a three month supply.
Blanton should have been traded last year, before Spring training. Paul, if that trade was possible, I’d drive both of them to Boston!
I would cover the Tolls Red Sox need an arm real bad and may be interested in taking Polanco since he can play 3B and even play a little 2b if Pedroia got injured.. Th Red Sox have Beckett,Lester,Bucholtz, and then quetion ?? with no more Dice K, John Lackey out all season with Tommy John Surgery and Tim Wakefield like 45 years old.. I am not sure how much $$ Youkliss makes but this is deal that could help both teams and Youkliss had some injuries himself last seasons
Nobody thinking about the “Sophmore Slump” with Worley? Blanton is relatively cheap insurance….I probably said differently last year, but I would think twice about trading him.
I don’t think almost $9 Million for a 4th/5th Starter is Cheap Insurance Greenfan.. Kendrick is at $3.5 Million and can handle a Starters role or long relief if Worley would to stumble…. who know what Dontre Willis has in the tank but Phils have other cheaper options
@ Pman…it is cheap to me, but then, I am part of the 1%….lol
Your probably working on Romney’s Campaign too… ha