Los Angeles Angels Make Right Move By Cutting Joe Blanton
The Los Angeles Angels finally came to their senses as they made the long-awaited move of cutting ties
with pitcher Joe Blanton.
In this year’s Spring training, Blanton has struggled on the mound as he has a 7.08 ERA in five appearances in 20.1 innings
pitched. This includes giving up multiple runs in four out of the five games he pitched, with his worst performance coming on Mar. 7 against the Colorado Rockies where he allowed seven runs on eight hits with four home runs in 2.1 IP.
This move comes as no surprise due to the 33-year-old’s struggles last season and in this spring. It was a bad
decision to bring Blanton in from the start as they signed him to a two-year, $15 million deal after he had a 4.71 ERA in
2012. Blanton in no way deserved such a hefty contract with the Angels, and he has not been a reliable pitcher for most of his career. In all but two seasons in his 10 years in the majors, he has posted an ERA above 4.00.
It was an easy decision to make for the Halos, who are looking to rebound off a disappointing season where pitching was a major culprit. Blanton played a significant part in that as the team only won four games in the 20 starts that he made.
Yes, the Angels will be taking a huge financial hit as they will pay him $7.5 million this season and an addition $1 million to buy out his contract, but it is all worth it. The Halos can now move forward without the burden of Blanton’s contract and having to play him because of it. So now they can focus on putting the finishing touches on their pitching staff that
appears set with a starting rotation of Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Hector Santiago.
Although Los Angeles took a hard hit in the wallet, it was the right move for the organization moving forward.
with pitcher Joe Blanton.
In this year’s Spring training, Blanton has struggled on the mound as he has a 7.08 ERA in five appearances in 20.1 innings
pitched. This includes giving up multiple runs in four out of the five games he pitched, with his worst performance coming on Mar. 7 against the Colorado Rockies where he allowed seven runs on eight hits with four home runs in 2.1 IP.
This move comes as no surprise due to the 33-year-old’s struggles last season and in this spring. It was a bad
decision to bring Blanton in from the start as they signed him to a two-year, $15 million deal after he had a 4.71 ERA in
2012. Blanton in no way deserved such a hefty contract with the Angels, and he has not been a reliable pitcher for most of his career. In all but two seasons in his 10 years in the majors, he has posted an ERA above 4.00.
It was an easy decision to make for the Halos, who are looking to rebound off a disappointing season where pitching was a major culprit. Blanton played a significant part in that as the team only won four games in the 20 starts that he made.
Yes, the Angels will be taking a huge financial hit as they will pay him $7.5 million this season and an addition $1 million to buy out his contract, but it is all worth it. The Halos can now move forward without the burden of Blanton’s contract and having to play him because of it. So now they can focus on putting the finishing touches on their pitching staff that
appears set with a starting rotation of Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Hector Santiago.
Although Los Angeles took a hard hit in the wallet, it was the right move for the organization moving forward.