LA Times: Joe Blanton still has a shot to stick with Angels

[AngelsWin.com 2,257]

Right-hander will try Monday for a second consecutive strong spring-training outing, which could help his chances of making the staff, which appears short on depth. <br/><br/>SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Angels' most intriguing start of the spring could come Monday, when Joe Blanton takes his next turn. If Blanton turns in a second consecutive strong performance, the Angels might have to consider whether they can afford to get rid of him.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/latimes/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/~4/jZvGRP9V2o0" height="1" width="1"/>

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[NrM 1,196]

lol at shot.

 

He's all but guaranteed a spot.

 

It's been the plan all off season.

Edited March 16, 2014 by Poozy

[Brian Ilten 276]

That's your opinion Poozy. It is not fact. Those in attendance at FanFest can attest to that.

If he makes the team he earned his way on. And for a team that seriously needs a #6-8 starter, if he earned it, I am good with it.

Edited March 16, 2014 by Brian Ilten

[Glen 9,381]

How can he earn his way on?  He had a great spring last year and then sucked ass during the regular season.  No reason to expect him to do anything different this year.  

 

But yeah, he's gonna have a few more good starts in spring and "earn his way on" as the fifth starter.  Then, for some reason he'll suck again.  I hope I'm wrong.

[James 306]

Joe Blanton is the x factor

[Redondo 2,792]

[nando714 4,628]

Comeback Player Of The Year

[Homebrewer 5,017]

It could be worse.

Imagine if we looking at Garza as a 3RD-4TH starter for the next 4 years @ 10-11M per.

That almost happened. 

I'd say we (inadvertently) dodged a bullet. We almost had Garza AND Blanton.

[Dochalo 25,602]

it still bums me out that the teams 7/8/9 starter depth is some combo of Jarret Grube, Wade Leblanc, and potentially Joe Blanton. 

[mtangelsfan 10,562]

Ridiculous.  Earn his way on?  He earned his way off the team last season.  Pathetic.

[EDinTUSTIN 232]

I agree. 2 and 14 with a +6 ERA should have sealed his fate. Keeping him as depth, in my opinion, is absurd. That isn't depth. There are plenty of kids in AAA that can do what Joe did- and on the cheap. I doubt seriously, though, that he is even being considered for a rotation spot. If he pitches well in ST, he will be traded for whatever he can bring in return.

[Vegas Halo Fan 10,960]

If Blanton turns in a second consecutive strong performance, the Angels might have to consider whether they can afford to get rid of him.

 

A better question is if they can afford to have him on the mound with anything at all at stake.

[jshep 2,242]

It is thoroughly depressing that this team put itself into a situation where this is a real possibility

[bloodbrother 9,448]

[Jim 266]

That's your opinion Poozy. It is not fact. Those in attendance at FanFest can attest to that.

If he makes the team he earned his way on. And for a team that seriously needs a #6-8 starter, if he earned it, I am good with it.

Serious question. What are the chances that Blanton will take an assignment in AAA. Cause, if I'm not mistaken, that's where the depth of SP's are kept. Please correct me if I'm wrong about that. 

[Guest]

Scioscia's final remarks on keeping/cutting Blanton:

Edited March 16, 2014 by failos

[Bruce Nye 985]

The starting 5 is now set for the Angels.

 

Blanton could be a spot starter, but that's it.

[Brent Maguire 1,031]

I think Blanton makes the team and is used in garbage time for a month. If he can't cut it there, he'll probably be released.

I don't think Jerry and company are going to give him meaningful time on this time unless he earns it.

[Troll Daddy 5,143]

Blanton belongs to Jerry ... if he pitches it's on Jerry not Scioscia. Jerry is Blantons biggest supporter.

Comebacks are the beauty of sports.

[Guest]

Blanton belongs to Jerry ... if he pitches it's on Jerry not Scioscia. Jerry is Blantons biggest supporter.

Comebacks are the beauty of sports.

As much as I acknowledge Jerry's incessant fawning over Blanton—at the end of the day it's the manager who chooses to put someone in the game and it's solely his decision, not a GM.

[Oz27 1,926]

It could be worse.

Imagine if we looking at Garza as a 3RD-4TH starter for the next 4 years @ 10-11M per.

That almost happened. 

I'd say we (inadvertently) dodged a bullet. We almost had Garza AND Blanton.

If I could go back in time and lock Garza into that deal, I'd do it without a second thought.

 

It's hard to be much worse than being an injury away from having Joe Blanton in your rotation.

[arch stanton 9,925]

If he starts the season in the Williams role is thst terrible? I don't see any way he gets double digit starts. Maybe knowing he's pitching for his career cuts a run or 2 off the ERA.

[NrM 1,196]

If he starts the season in the Williams role is thst terrible? I don't see any way he gets double digit starts. Maybe knowing he's pitching for his career cuts a run or 2 off the ERA.

Jerome williams pitched 162 innings last year as the 6th starter

[arch stanton 9,925]

Jerome williams pitched 162 innings last year as the 6th starter

Williams pitched 162 innings because he was replacing Blanton. There's no way they let Blanton pitch 160 inning of 6+ ERA ball this season. Either he's passable early on or he gets DFA.

Edited March 17, 2014 by arch stanton

[Mark68 3,742]

Joe Blanton is the x factor

So HE'S the reason the show is being cancelled? Shoulda known.