Is Joe Blanton On the Move?

After the Phillies signed free agent Cliff Lee this offseason for 5 years, 120 million dollars, a lot of rumors were going around that the Phillies would have to move their number five starter in Joe Blanton to make room on their payroll. In 2009 Blanton signed a 3 year deal for 23 million dollars and that was around the same time the Phillies traded away Lee for Halladay. Now that Lee is a Phillie again what will happen with Blanton, will he be on the team or will he be traded? About two weeks ago general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr was asked about the status of Joe Blanton and he said "I expect him to be on this pitching rotation come spring training. He isn't going anywhere". How many times has that been said than done? In 2010 Blanton started the year on the DL and when he returned he didn't really show up the pitcher that everyone expected him to be.

He posted a 4.82 ERA with 9 wins, 6 losses, and 134 strikeouts. If any teams that might be interested in getting Blanton I would say the Kansas City Royals would have to be the number one team after losing Zach Greinke this offseason, the Royals are in need of pitching and have a very young farm system that the Phillies could trade for him. Another team in mind is the Milwaukee Brewers who already have Yovani Gallardo, Zach Greinke, and Shaun Marcum and by adding Blanton he wouldn't be a bad number four pitcher on their team. The Brewers also have a very good farm system with a lot of young prospects. The last team might be a surprise but I dugout it will happen but the New York Yankees are in need of some pitching with having two rookies pitchers leading the end of that rotation could be a sign of HELP WANTED if Andy Pettitte retires.


If Blanton we're to be traded who would replace him? Common answer would be Kyle Kendrick but I would have to believe it would come down to spring training. On January 14th, the Phillies signed Matt Anderson a first round draft pick back in 1998 but over the years he had a lot of arm problems and never turned into the pitcher he wanted to be. The Phillies signed Anderson to a minor league contract and if he does well there could be a chance we could see him in a Phillies uniform in the bullpen or as a starting pitcher.

Then there is a guy who started a few games last year in the name of Vance Worley and some believe he could win the number five spot over Kendrick and Anderson if Blanton is traded. Now it's not like Kendrick isn't a bad pitcher but he just hasn't turned into the pitcher everyone thought he was going to be. He has been in the majors for 4 years now and still hasn't done well, but then again he has been moved around a lot to bullpen to starter back to the minors.

Kendrick in 2010 had an ERA of 4.73, 11 wins, 10 losses, 84 strikeouts. I honestly think if Blanton does get traded before spring or during spring training Kendrick will be their number five guy only because he has pitched in this game before.