Understanding the Blanton trade rumors
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Understanding the Blanton trade rumors
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — It's the beginning of spring training, so there must be Joe Blanton trade rumors.
"I wouldn't know what to do if they didn't come along," Blanton deadpanned Sunday morning. "I don't even pay attention anymore. It's a business. We all understand that. No one takes it personal."
The latest: The Phillies, according to numerous published reports, talked to the Yankees about A.J. Burnett, who was ultimately traded to Pittsburgh. To fit Burnett in the rotation (and payroll), the Phillies would have been forced to deal Blanton to another team, perhaps in a three-way deal.
That's where the reality of any Blanton rumor comes to a screeching halt. No one is trading for Joe Blanton, who pitched all of 41 1/3 innings in 2011, right now. That is, unless the Phillies eat all of his remaining $8.5 million salary. And the Phillies want to trade Blanton to free up money, so that's not happening.
Does that preclude a Blanton trade from happening later this spring? Certainly not. By reportedly inquiring about Burnett, the Phillies indirectly showed their hand; they are seeking an upgrade.
But Blanton must first prove his health in spring training before the Phillies are able to explore any other options. The righthander battled a nebulous elbow ailment for the majority of 2011. At the end of the season, he made two abbreviated starts and found himself in the bullpen for the NLDS against St. Louis. After that, Blanton pitched a few outings in instructional league play and reported no problems.
He'll begin spring training on the same throwing program as the rest of the pitching staff.
"I feel really good so far," Blanton said. "I didn't really stop throwing through the winter. I've had no problems."
Of course, Blanton's health is important regardless of where he's pitching. If the Phillies see improvement, they could keep him. If another team likes what they see in Blanton and is willing to assume a chunk of his salary, the Phillies could move him in the right deal.
But nothing is happening until Blanton shows he can take the ball without a hitch.
"I'm going to get ready regardless if I'm playing for Philly or somebody else," Blanton said. "My preparation isn't going to be different. In the back of your mind, when you're somewhere you want to be, you hope you stay. At the same time, unless you have a no-trade clause, it's out of your hands."
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Bring it Joe or have fun on the bench— shawnmac
Package up Blanton, Wheeler and the dead rat on Wheels head and trade them to Kansas City for 1 trip to the $12.99 all you can eat BBQ buffet. A great deal for the Phils...— kelprod2- Blanton will never be more than a .500 pitcher. They should eat half his salary, trade him, and sign Roy Oswalt to a 1 years deal for $4 Million.— Grapost
I dunno what Blanton will give the Phils this year, but I'm sure glad they didn't give up anything for A.J. Burnett. A head case who has lost at least 5mph on his fastball. The fact that the sad-sack Pirates ended up with him speaks volumes about his value.- Dave - I could not agree more. I want no part of Burnett. I would rather put Kendrick back in the rotation. — coloradoeagle
- What kills me is that when Amaro traded Cliff Lee a few years ago, he claimed that he tried to trade Blanton instead, but that no one wanted him because of his salary. So what did Rube do? He immediately signed Blanton to a big contract extension, making him even more untradeable, for years to come. Trading Cliff Lee was probably Amaro's biggest blunder, but Blanton's ridiculous extension isn't far behind. I can understand when Rube overpays for superstars, but there is no excuse for overpaying for role players.— phink
- I always said you can never have enough pitching but in the case of JB I can be persuaded.
Pat Gillick got him at the right time and we are thankful for the efforts he gave us in 2008.....however the pitcher afterwards, the so-called innings eater became a guy who after inning 5 broke down quicker then a 1977 Pacer. Just watching him sweat and labor on the mound after the 4th inning, you knew this guy was toast and so were the fortunes of your team that day.
It almost looks like the classic case of a guy who got his bucks and cashed in the effort on and off the field. Modern day baseball.....— DelawareRiverRat - @drr - sweetest phrase of the weekend: 'broke down quicker than a 1977 Pacer'. Love it.
I am old enough to remember not only Studebakers, AMC and where Mitt Romney's father worked. But I suspect most will think that you are referring to the NBA team.
Our best bet for Blutto is that he has a reasonable spring, and that he gets traded (even for a 'proverbial player to be named later') even if the Phils have to eat half the cash.— 24sDad 
Comment removed.- Not a lover, and not a hater, and not an idiot. A pragmatist.
Spring training will sort out whether 'high and tight' Blanton and his goatee face any NL East batters while in red pinstripes. You could be right; Worley could have sophomore jitters and be a one season wonder; yet again, he may be the real deal. And with all the short arms in the bullpen, one hopes that KK isn't used on that side of the inning count but on the spot start side more often.
But keep the post coming and stop the personal attacks. Your partner, 69GalNotInCharge, will thank you for it.— 24sDad - @DDR From what you have written, it appears you have never watched Blanton pitch. He always struggled in the first inning, and if he could make it through that would get you a solid 6-7 afterwards. Almost all his runs always came early, because he is the kind of pitcher that needed to get into a groove. So surviving the first and second, usually meant 6 solid innings out of the guy. This is why I always thought it absurd that Charlie would even contemplate using him in the bullpen.— Mo Biggsley
- @24sDad, hysterical attempt at ID'ing @TheGuyInCharge69's partner.
Great explanation for all of us whom join you as Blanton-pragmatists. All of us are hopeful and rooting that Blanton is recovered from his elbow woes and reports in good enough shape to give the Phils what they need as a 5th starter. Who wouldn't root for that? And, if these things don't pan out, we would hope to see him supplanted by someone better.
As Joe himself said (channeling Michael Corleone), "it's not personal, it's strictly business".— advantasux - Thanks JB for 2008. Now get the hell out of here!— Romus
- For those of you who think Blanton was only good in 2008, he had a lower ERA in 2009 and went 12-8. And if you want KK to replace him, realize that KK has never had a 12 win season. I actually like both guys and think KK is a good piece to have in the role he took on last year -- long man, some middle relief and some spot starts when needed. JB can be a very good #4/#5 pitcher if he can pitch close to how he pitched in 2008/2009. The real issue is RAJ did overpaid based on what looked like an upward trend for JB in 2008/2009. No thanks on AJ Burnett for me too. Without Oswalt (I don't see a chance of him coming back) JB needs to pitch well for the Phillies. That's where it all starts. If all the other pitching lines up and stays off the DL and JB is pitching to form, then maybe he's traded. I don't see it happening in spring training.
Phillies fans have been somewhat spoiled by how good the top of rotation has been and by the fact that our rotation has largely stayed off the DL. A guy goes down and all the sudden a guy like Blanton, pitching to his ability, starts to look pretty good.
— s
