About the author"

Philadelphia, PA
Chase Senior is a 2010 graduate of Bayard Rustin High School and a current sophomore at Temple University majoring in broadcast journalism. Senior is a lead anchor on Temple Universities student run television show, OwlSports Update and is a beat writer for Philahoops.com covering the Temple men's basketball team. Senior is also a co-host for Temple Sports Hour that airs weekdays from 11 a.m. to noon on Temple's student run radio station, WHIP.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Phillies Shopping Joe Blanton

Reports are surfacing around greater Philadelphia that the Phillies could be shopping Joe Blanton. The star studded Phillies rotation already includes the likes of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels..Roy Oswalt and his decaying back look to be heading to either the Rangers, or those pesky, pesky St. Louis Cardinals. Vance Worley who had a very successful season at the back end of the rotation in 2011, which leaves "Big Country Joe". Marred by an elbow impingement for most of the 102 win season that resulted in a first round exit thanks to goddamn St. Louis (this song will make you sick) Blanton was only able to take the hill for just over 40 innings and a 5.02 ERA. After being chosen in the first round by the Oakland Athletics in 2002, Blanton has had a sub four ERA just once (2005, 2007) and is set to make $10.5 million this year. Who takes Blanton's spot if he is shipped off? Two options...
The Phils recently signed Kyle Kendrick to a 1 year $2,450,000 who is coming off arguably his most successful season in the big leagues as a spot starter and long reliever going 8-6 with a 3.22 ERA.
Another option could be Joel Piniero who the Phils inked to a minor league deal just a few shorts week ago. If the name sounds familiar, the Phils were rumored to be looking into acquiring him through free agency when he was one of the top prized pitchers on the market after winning 15 games in 2009 compiling a 3.49 ERA with the Cardinals. He wound up signing a big deal with the Angels. Last year, Pineiro didn't conquer the same success and had quite a disastrous season giving up 182 hits in just 145 2/3 innings (5.13 ERA). If Blanton is dealt the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation will most likely come down to a battle between Kendrick and Pineiro with Kendrick being favored. Pineiro is going to have to turn some heads during spring training in order to make the squad, but keep your eyes on the 33 year old.
Clearly, dealing Blanton will free up a ton of bread which wouldn't hurt the rapid spending Phillies.
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