Now that Andy Pettitte has announced his decision to retire, the New York Yankees are left with a vacant spot in their rotation.
ESPN’s Buster Olney speculates that Joe Blanton could be more attractive to the Yankees because of Pettitte’s departure from the organization.
The possibility of a deal getting done between the Phillies and the Yankees has swirled around the rumor mill ever since Philadelphia acquired Cliff Lee, but the chances of it actually happening were never likely – until now.
Think about it.
Money is not an issue for the Bronx Bombers, and considering that Blanton has an absurd contract ($17 million) remaining, the Yankees may be the only team willing to take on most, it not all, of Blanton’s salary.
And with their need for a starting pitcher, which has forced them to sign a handful of ‘past-their-prime’ pitchers (Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Mark Prior), the Yanks will be looking on the market for a proven veteran that is still capable of going 6-7 innings.
With that said, is there any better cure for their problem than Blanton?
In my opinion, the Yanks need Blanton more than the Phillies do, and because of that, I believe the Yanks will indeed make an offer to Ruben Amaro Jr. regarding the availability of Blanton, even though Amaro has repeated the notion that Blaton is their fifth starter.
For the right offer, yes. The Phillies have all the power over these negotiations. The Phillies don’t necessarily need to dump Blanton (although it would benefit their payroll), whereas the Yankees are desperately looking for a quality arm to round out their rotation.
If New York is willing to offer a premium prospect and to take in most of Blanton’s salary, there is no reason Philadelphia should hesitate to pull the trigger.
It would be nice to keep Blanton around, but his contract is just too much for this team, and it would handcuff the Phillies if they need to make a deal before the trade deadline.
Phillies need rid of that contract more than anything. I guarantee they’ll give him away. Let’s just take a New York pie for Blanton, straight up, and call it a day.
Yankees don’t want this bumb…he sucked the last time he pitched in the AL and will suck again. There’s no way anyone would offer a premium prospect for this clown.
Let the Yankees suffer…their pitching staff sucks….wait for them to start the season and see how bad they are and then make them pay through the nose for Blanton.
His stats in the AL were 47-46 4.25 ERA–the won-loss record is beyond mediocre, but his ERA is higher in the NL than the AL.–4.38. With the Yanks it wouldn’t matter.
Yankees just signed a 4th/5th RHP Starter in Freddy Garcia who is another 10-12-14 Win Pitcher with
a usual 4-5 ERA so they don’t need Blanton???
yeah Pman, we know that they signed Garcia & Colon, but that was BEFORE the Petit announcement….even Buster Olney said this morning on Mike & Mike that the Yankee’s are considering Blanton…..the point is there are not alot of high level pitching options out there, thus Blanton may not be great, but he is looking like one of the prettier girls at the dance
I wouldn’t mind the Phils Trading Blanton to yanks for at least 2 “AAA”
good prospects, a middle infielder and a young outfielder at least and then maybe a young Lefty who is a A or AA prospect..
This Phillie Infield is getting old with Polanco,ROllins and Utley and all 3 of these players are starting to get injuries and seeing their bodies break down..
I would have loved the Phils to sign 3B Betran, and move Polanco to 2B
and then Trade Utley for a Solid established OF & Relief Pitcher
paulman –
Blanton has no value man…..they will be lucky to get a small coffee and a danish for the guy!
I wouldn’t trade him. Make him the 5th starter. A staff usually needs 7-8 staters in the course of the year.
Blanton has value jott1972
He’s one of the few Starters with a six year consecutive 180 + plus innings thrown.. He’s always been durable and if he were to pitch in a pitchers park
like Seattle/Dogers/Padres/Giants/Braves, where he could get away with more of his high-fastballs (which would be long outs in those stadiums) he could be a 15 game winner easily an attractive to those teams as a #4
Starter
i would rather keep blanton because i think kendrick is awful… i would only trade blanton if v.worley did a really good job in spring training