The images of Roy Halladay throwing at the Bank during his visit to Philadelphia two weeks ago got me thinking. We know Roy is going to come into camp ready. We know Cliff and Cole are too. And since Kyle Kendrick is Roy’s lapdog, we assume he’ll be in shape and gunning for that fifth rotation spot. Vance Worley’s a wildcard. The guy doesn’t look like he’s seen the inside of gym in his life. He breaks a sweat putting on his sanitary socks and looks like he’d be out every night in California watching garage bands and drinking Milwaukee’s Best. But he was a horse last year, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
The guy that worries me the most this off-season, and who could be a real asset if he’s right, is Kentucky Joe Blanton.
With an $8M price tag, the once reliable middle-of-the-rotation stalwart has become a huge question mark due to general ineffectiveness and injury issues. His 2011 season was cut short in April by an injury to his right elbow. The injury compounded a poor 2010 season when Blanton posted a pedestrian 9-6 record with a horrid 4.82 ERA in 176 innings. Most disturbing was his 206 hits allowed. He’s throwing batting practice.
Blanton has never been a thin guy. Stocky might be a kind word for the 6-foot-3, 245-pound pitcher, and this off-season the Phils have to hope he comes into camp in healthy and in shape. A dedicated workout program would definitely help the guy long-term (see Halladay, Roy), and solidify a Phillies rotation that’ll be without Roy Oswalt and counting on the Vanimal to duplicate his rookie success.
The Phils need innings from Blanton to help protect what could be a very young bullpen, who might burn out by August if they’re overused.
And if Blanton can indeed come back strong and recapture the success he had in Oakland, he might give the Phillies a trade chip to play in June, assuming the Phils feel comfortable with Kyle Kendrick or one of their minor league stars like Austin Hyatt, Julio Rodriguez or Trevor May stepping in as the fifth man in the rotation.
So Joe, the ball is in your court. Here’s hoping you’re pushing away from the Christmas leftovers and doing some crunches before February rolls around.


