Posted by Corey Seidman, Mon, February 20, 2012 01:58 AM | Comments: 21
Posts
Option A: One year of Joe Blanton for $10.5 million
Option B: Two years of A.J. Burnett for $13 million
There is no way you’re choosing Option A, and that is why despite his disappointments and shortcomings Burnett would have made the Phillies better over the next two seasons.
In order to acquire Burnett — as tweeted by Buster Olney Sunday night — Ruben Amaro was reportedly attempting to trade Blanton to the Angels for Bobby Abreu (gasp!), before trading Abreu back to the Yankees for Burnett.
The salaries of Blanton and Abreu nearly match up — Abreu is due $9 million in 2012 — meaning that the Phillies likely wouldn’t have had to eat much, if any, salary in the proposed deal.
At the end of the day, Yankees GM Brian Cashman likely decided to trade Burnett to the Pirates because potential DH Raul Ibanez would be significantly cheaper than Abreu for slightly less value, and because improving the Pirates means much less than improving the Phillies.
Olney later tweeted that the Phillies saw two years of Burnett as a safe haven to losing Cole Hamels to free agency, but it’s hard to imagine anyone in the organization truly believing the addition of Burnett could make up for the loss of the growing beast that is Hamels.
Rather, the Phillies probably saw the Yankees’ urgency to trade Burnett as a way to snag a high-reward pitcher for just a wee bit more than they owe the low-ceiling Blanton. By including the Angels in the mix, the need for the Phils to eat salary was reduced. The Angels are trying to part with their redundancy (too many outfielders and first basemen) to improve in other areas.
It is this kind of outside-the-box thinking that separates Ruben Amaro from the typical general manager. And it is why, despite several questionable contracts, the Phillies are in good hands being led by someone tirelessly looking to upgrade.
21 CommentsPosts: 0 Jeff Dowder
Was signing Blanton to an awful three year deal an example of RAJ’s “outside-the-box thinking”? Oh yeah, it provided “cost certainty”.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 02:10 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 275 Corey Seidman
2009 was the best year of Blanton’s career. I can’t think of anyone who criticized the Blanton signing at the time. It’s easy to do so two years and an injury-plagued season after.
As far as Kendrick goes… best-case scenario, he has a good 2012 that makes his 2013 salary a win for the Phillies. Or he pitches well and gets traded to a team that would want him for $4.5 million in 2013 rather than $5-5.25 through arbitration.
It also saves the Phillies $585,000 this season. Kendrick move wasn’t that bad, it’s just that people pounce on anything related to KK and then others form opinions based on the initial reaction.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 04:56 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 275 EricL
How does giving Kendrick a raise from his current deal save them anything this season?
Flag commentPosted: 12:05 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1870 Lefty
“Olney later tweeted that the Phillies saw two years of Burnett as a safe haven to losing Cole Hamels to free agency”
Is Buster on designer drugs? If the deal had gone through, Burnett was Blanton’s lower priced replacement, nothing more.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 06:10 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1342 Chuck A.
Kyle Kendrick needs to be removed from ANY negative discussion of how Amaro’s running this this team. It’s a real shame that the guy goes out, does what is asked of him (spot start, short relief, long relief)…..does it WELL…..and then gets nothing but blame and hate heaped on him.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 08:04 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 Mazinman
On the plus side, the rejection of the deal seemed to have come from the Yankees, from what you wrote. This means that there is at least a little interest in teams out there to trade for Blanton. Once he proves he is healthy something might get worked out.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 09:40 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 275 EricL
Maybe, although the Angles are a bit of a special circumstance. First, they’re one of the few high-payroll teams who would be able to relatively easily accommodate Blanton’s $8.5mm salary without too much trouble, plus, as Corey states, they have a couple areas in which they’ve got a logjam of players, and as such are probably more willing than most teams to part with some of their pricier redundant players.
I’m not saying you can’t get rid of Blanton, but the available destinations which wouldn’t require the Phils to take on a lot of salary are relatively few, I think.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 10:06 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1870 Lefty
I don’t know why I didn’t catch this before, but with the addition of CJ Wilson, the Angels are flush with starters. Why would they have interest in Blanton? Off the top of my head, Haren, Weaver, Santana, Wilson. Do they really need a 5th starter that badly?
Flag commentPosted: 10:24 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 275 EricL
“Phillies are in good hands being led by someone tirelessly looking to upgrade.”
Maybe, maybe not. That attitude has basically decimated the player-development pipeline the last few years, forcing the team to increasingly rely on aging middle infielders for whom there are no heirs apparent.
Rube has more flexibility than a lot of his peers due to the large payroll he is afforded, but I wouldn’t be so sure his scorched-Earth, always-looking-for-the-next-shiny-new-toy, impatient approach is ideal or sustainable.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 10:10 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1342 Chuck A.
Spare us the drama, Eric. “scorched-Earth” ??? Puh…lease.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 11:26 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 George
Not only spare us the drama, but be a little more fair about the team’s “decimated…player-development pipeline.” I suppose it never occurred to you that part of that is due to five straight years of high finishes, which guarantee low positions in the draft. And really, how many “heirs apparent” have the Phils traded besides pitchers and a few utility infielders? I’ll give you D’Arnaud, Gose, and Taylor, but neither of them plays middle infield. One other major position prospect traded was Singleton, but he was effectively blocked for the next five years. You can’t get the likes of Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, or Pence without giving up something, and the Phils got put of them under control long enough to have time to restock the farm.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 12:19 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 George
“neither” should read “none.” Left part of my brain on the Kendrick thread; hope I can retrieve it.
Flag commentPosted: 12:22 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1870 Lefty
Oh almost forgot, done deal Ibanez to the Yankees. All the best to you Raul, you’re a class act.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 10:30 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 Chris
Ibanez done deal not returning. So I guess the handshake deal was a good idea. Dude is a class act and that’s why I knew he wasn’t going to screw us on that. Where are all the whiners now about that Arbitration offering.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 10:38 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1870 Lefty
Do we get compensation for making him an arbitration offer?
If so, then let me emphasize, – Class act.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 10:43 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 psujoe
I believe we get a sandwhich pick.
Thanks Raul
Flag commentPosted: 11:28 AM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 Ryne Duren
one last rauuuuuuuuuuul! thanks, and good luck!
Flag commentPosted: 12:10 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 George
One thing I have to say about Amaro is that he does try to sign the classier guys like Raul.
I’m worried about Papelbon, though. He’s always struck me as an egomaniac prone to childish and insipid behavior. I don’t know him personally, of course, but he seems such an a$$ at times that I don’t think I want to.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 12:28 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1342 Chuck A.
Those bullpen guys walk to the beat of a different drum. Papelbon is an extreme case, I guess, but, if anything, his odd behavior works to his advantage when he’s staring down the batter.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 01:03 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 1870 Lefty
I think that was what I liked about Madson, he didn’t seem to have that “Kenny Powers” or “John Rocker” attitude. He had a temper for sure and it got him in trouble once, but he was never what I would call egomaniacal in nature.
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 01:13 PM on February 20, 2012Posts: 0 scott
I have been reading this blog for a long time never posted here but i think blanton gets a bum rap most of time ,yea he had a crappy year last yr but hey that was last year .As they say hope springs eternal and although i am not a huge fan of him he did the job the yr before that so lets hope that he springs back burnett was not an upgrade in any stretch of imagination to me
Reply to this PostFlag commentPosted: 01:21 PM on February 20, 2012 Leave a Comment>> Create a new Phillies Nation account. >> Already registered with Phillies Nation? Log in here. >> Comment without logging in:
Name (required)
Email (will not be published) (required)
Leave a comment below
Please ensure your comments comply with our Comment Policy. .load-hide{display:none} NetworkPostsActivity Login to your Phillies Nation account to comment and access your Network dashboard.
Username:
Password:
Don't have an account? Create a new one here >>
Hamels: Not Focused on Contract TalksProspect Nation 2012: #10 OF Jiwan JamesWeek In Review - Where Do I BeginClearwater Notes: Howard Progressing, Utley RestingPhillies, Kendrick Agree to Two-Year PactJoin Phillies Nation on Road Trips this Season!Your Guide to Spring Training in Clearwater, FL
Pat Gallen wrote a new blog post: Hamels: Not Focused on Contract Talks 26 minutes ago · View
Lefty commented on the blog post 50 minutes ago · View
I think that was what I liked about Madson, he didn’t seem to have that “Kenny Powers” or “John Rocker” attitude. He had a temper for sure and it got him in trouble once, but he was never what I would call egomaniacal in nature.
Chuck A. commented on the blog post 1 hour ago · View
Those bullpen guys walk to the beat of a different drum. Papelbon is an extreme case, I guess, but, if anything, his odd behavior works to his advantage when he’s staring down the batter.
jaimietalsky commented on the blog post 2011 Phillies Nation Player Reviews 1 hour, 12 minutes ago · View
New Arrivals 2011 new arrivals Pandora Bracelets Online Buy Pandora Charms wholesale pandora .Trial versions in time to come or kind of functionality limitations are usually made available making sure that users might try this program out plus determine regardless if it complies with their really needs.Additionally, some corporations make their particular older titles around for download anytime new versions [...]
George commented on the blog post 1 hour, 35 minutes ago · View
One thing I have to say about Amaro is that he does try to sign the classier guys like Raul. I’m worried about Papelbon, though. He’s always struck me as an egomaniac prone to childish and insipid behavior. I don’t know him personally, of course, but he seems such an a$$ at times that I [...]
Shop Fan Gear Unlimited for all your Phillies Gear on sale. Check out great deals on stadium seats with backs and great coupons at the Sports Unlimited Facebook page.
2012 Phillies SalariesCharlie Manuel
$3 million
Cliff Lee
$21.5 million
Ryan Howard
$20 million
Roy Halladay
$20 million
Chase Utley
$15 million
Jonathan Papelbon
$11 million
Jimmy Rollins
$11 million
Cole Hamels
$9.5 million
Shane Victorino
$9.5 million
Joe Blanton
$8.5 million
Hunter Pence
$6.9 million
Placido Polanco
$6.25 million
Ty Wigginton
$4 million
Carlos Ruiz
$3.7 million
Jose Contreras
$2.5 million
Kyle Kendrick
$2.45 million
Jim Thome
$1.25 million
Laynce Nix
$1.15 million
Dontrelle Willis
$850,000
Brian Schneider
$800,000
John Mayberry
$414,000
Vance Worley
$405,000
Antonio Bastardo
$405,000
Alliance Tickets Alliance Tickets is your source watching your favorite team live and all your MLB Tickets. We carry a huge selection of cheap Philadelphia Phillies Tickets, Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, and San Francisco Giants Tickets. Phillies Rumors & News > The Nation on FlickrNot Affiliated with Major League Baseball or the Philadelphia PhilliesPrivacy Policy | Contact Us
Switch to our mobile site Phillies NationLog InSign Up VisitRandom Member
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment