Blanton's agent: Talks are progressing on multi-year deal
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Blanton's agent: Talks are progressing on multi-year deal
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
Joe Blanton's lofty request for $10.25 million in arbitration could prove to be completely inconsequential.
Blanton's agent, Jeff Barry, said today he has had talks with the Phillies regarding a multi-year extension for Blanton. The right-handed pitcher is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2010 season.
"They're progressing and we'll see where it takes us," Barry said.
Barry said he was hopeful something can be worked out before the two sides before a potential arbitration hearing in February. When asked about Blanton's salary request of $10.25 million, which would set an arbitration record should Blanton win his case, Barry said it was designed to "seek the player's value."
The two sides discussed a possible extension even before salary figures were exchanged on Tuesday, Barry said. Other reports indicate the Phillies are seeking similar extensions for their two other arbitration-eligible players, outfielder Shane Victorino and catcher Carlos Ruiz. But unlike Blanton, both Victorino and Ruiz are under the Phillies' control through 2011. (Ruiz will not be a free agent until 2013.)
If the Phillies were to sign Blanton to a multi-year deal, the figures could resemble recent deals given out on the open market to similar pitchers like Jason Marquis (two years, $15 million) and Joel Pineiro (two years, $16 million). Or it could be more.
The Phillies countered Blanton's arbitration request with their own offer of $7.5 million. Blanton, 29, was 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA for the Phillies in 2009.
"Joe loves Philadelphia," Barry said. "His wife loves Philadelphia. They love the winning they've had there the last couple of years. There is definitely mutual interest on both sides. We'll see where it takes us."
lock em up— therev- "Joe loves Philadelphia" Yeah right.....he loves $10 mill a year. What did he go last year.....12-8? And that's with all that run support. He's a slightly above-average pitcher.— chalmette1815
- Agreed with chalmette. Slightly above average, has a few clutch moments, but isn't worth what he is asking. My feeling is that the reason they are trying to work out a multi-year deal is to pay him less now and then more later.— DrM
- still can't believe they cared so little for the fans that they did not pay AND sign Cliff Lee!!!! but would pay mediocre Blanton UGH!— Unk4jazz
- Blanton has about the same value as Jason Marquis...and he signed for 7.5 per. Anything more isn't worth it. Slightly above average pitchers are relatively easily replaced, in FA and trade. Those are not the players you overpay for.— ChrisInVT
- He has been steady and in the upper group of pitchers....I would say something like a 3 yr 24/25 million contract....7 million this year, 8.5 next year and 9.5 in year 3....I mean they gave Eaton 24 million over 3 years....— blubrojake
- Let's go with a 3 year 22 million dollar contract. He is still young and is a solid number 3 or 4 pitcher. He did well in the playoffs against the Rays, and did OK against the Yankees.— FloridaBrian
- Let's go with a 3 year 22 million dollar contract. He is still young and is a solid number 3 or 4 pitcher. He did well in the playoffs against the Rays, and did OK against the Yankees.— FloridaBrian
- while i agree that blanton is similar to marquis i wouldnt say they have the same value. i would have no problem with blanton getting 8.5 a year... forget about wins - that relies too much on outside factors like defense and run support... if you look at WHIP and Ks, blanton is better than Marquis(7.5 mil) and Piniero(8 mil). Also, don't forget, he was our most consistent pitcher last year. BUT, I agree that he is not worth it if they overpay him, which would be about 9.25 or more— therev
- Folks have to get over it about Lee. He never indicated ANY interest in signing with the Phillies and skipping the FA route for the big $s (certainly more than the Phillies would be offering) and I don't blame him. Amaro probably did right by trading him but we really will not know for 2-3 years......and I'll bet if you compare Blanton's and Lee's regular 2009 season numbers there is not a huge difference. As a number 3 type pitcher I would extend him.— mrdip
- his numbers are worth about 3 million a year tops!!1— sawgrass
- I've seen too amny innings when Blanton appeared to go brain dead and cough up big scores. Problem is the team is stuck with him.— drbob456
- 2 yr 15 mil sounds about right for joe. Look at Wolf getting over 10mil...its not right, but its reality. Everyone does need to get over the Lee thing. Its apples and oranges..after this year, Lee would have been too much to sign anyway. Next year Moyers 8 mil comes off the books, and we will get another stud pitcher of some sort...the future still looks bright for the phils...lets get another WS this year and enter the "dynasty" category...— jphil
- The not paying of Cliff Lee has very little to do with Blanton. They were just as concerned about restocking the farm system after the Lee and Halladay trades and we couldn't get much of anything for Blanton. They knew they'd have to pay Blanton 7-9 million this year, and that's fine. He's a good steady 3-4 pitcher and they don't have too many more options.— brob1900
- The not paying of Cliff Lee has very little to do with Blanton. They were just as concerned about restocking the farm system after the Lee and Halladay trades and we couldn't get much of anything for Blanton. They knew they'd have to pay Blanton 7-9 million this year, and that's fine. He's a good steady 3-4 pitcher and they don't have too many more options.— brob1900
