Posted: Thursday, January 21, 2010, 2:48 PM | 56 comments |
 

Phillies sign Blanton to 3-year extension
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Was extending Blanton the right move?
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The Phillies just announced the team has reached a three-year extension with pitcher Joe Blanton worth $24 million. Blanton, who was set to be a free agent after the 2010 season, had requested $10.25 million in salary arbitration.

This agreement means all four of the Phillies' top starting pitchers are locked up through the 2012 season.

Earlier today, Blanton's agent talked about his client's desire to stay in Philadelphia.

The Phillies have scheduled a 5 p.m. news conference. More to come.
Posted by Matt Gelb @ 2:48 PM  Permalink | 56 comments
56
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:49 PM, 01/21/2010
    He's a very solid #3 guy. Nice deal. Fair price.
    — demise1893
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:52 PM, 01/21/2010
    Should have used the money for Lee.
    — fogboy10
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:54 PM, 01/21/2010
    an ace gets 16-20 mil per, #2 gets 11-15, #3 gets 6-10... so, joe getting an avg of 8 per sounds about right... i am pretty relieved right now, was expecting the phils to overpay for him.. and glad to see him signed through his prime (30-33)
    — therev
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:55 PM, 01/21/2010
    I think it is a good move. Joe is a good #3 and eats up innnings. He has helped win 2 pennants and a world series.Now we need to concentrate on another starter at the back end of the rotation and reinforce the bull pen going forward.
    — naplesbear
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:57 PM, 01/21/2010
    This is so cool. Go RAJ!!!
    — Andrewsgvl
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:59 PM, 01/21/2010
    fogboy, do you really think they could have signed Lee for anywhere near that kind of money? Just wait, Lee will probably get close to twice that when he signs his next contract.
    — Hutch
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:59 PM, 01/21/2010
    That's not all he eats. Hope he doesn't use this as an excuse to "celebrate" with a month of hoagie eating before spring training.
    — Johnny Brown
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:59 PM, 01/21/2010
    Too bad they didn't sign Lee to an extension, too. What a mistake! That would have been some starting pitching staff! Now we still have a fifth hole to fill.
    — cbiancosi
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:01 PM, 01/21/2010
    Good move, for the right amount of money. He is as advertised, an inning eating bulldog. He's only gotten better in the 3 years I've been watching him pitch. Go Phat Joe!
    — Goirish77
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:01 PM, 01/21/2010
    Good Job – Hopping for a Surprise 5th Starter from the Minor System.
    — Fazle Samad
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:02 PM, 01/21/2010
    Ruben is a quick worker, isn't he? Next, Carlos and Victorino by early next week, if not sooner.
    — EL Zorro
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:03 PM, 01/21/2010
    Too bad they didn't sign Lee to an extension, too. What a mistake! That would have been some starting pitching staff! Now we still have a fifth hole to fill. Let's get Lee back!
    — cbiancosi
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:11 PM, 01/21/2010
    There needs to be another option in that poll. Extending him was the right move, but they overpaid him.
    — phillyfan412
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:13 PM, 01/21/2010
    Hey idiots, Cliff Lee wants $25 million per year for an extension. If you actually think Cliff Lee would give up 3-4 years of free-agency for $8 million per year then you are a moron and shouldn't even bother posting anything...frankly, I'm shocked you know how to use a computer and the internet. Given Lee's age, he knows this is probably going to be his best chance for a huge payday, he wants a 5-7 year deal and he wants CC money - $25 million per year. Halladay gave us a "discount" at $20 million per year for his extension. Lee wants market value, he's not willing to discount. Lee was not going to sign an extension for Blanton money.
    — JimG
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:15 PM, 01/21/2010
    Get over Cliff Lee. He was traded over a month ago. They are not getting him back.
    — gallen024


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About Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover












Bob Brookover and Matt Gelb team up for their third straight season covering the Phillies for the Inquirer and philly.com.

This is Brookover’s second stint writing about the Phillies, having joined the coverage team after seven years as an Eagles beat writer. Brookover was hired by The Inquirer in 2000 as the Phillies beat writer after spending 13 years writing about the team for two suburban newspapers. While on the Eagles beat, Brookover, who had covered just two winning Phillies teams in 15 seasons, saw the Phillies move into a cash-cow new ballpark and begin playing a brand of the game he found unrecognizable. Follow him on Twitter here.

Gelb is in his third season covering the Phillies. He was hired by The Inquirer in August 2009 after graduating from Syracuse University. He has also covered baseball at The Star-Ledger and Cape Cod Times. Born and raised in Bucks County, he attended Central Bucks High School West. Follow him on Twitter here.
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