Phills looking to shed more salary

Plenty of teams will take Halladay of their hands. Problem solved.

It doesn't sound like signing Cole Hamels is on the horizon.

You never, ever, ever, ever, ever, have enough pitching. Surely there is salary they can unload to keep Hamels (and even Blanton, if necessary) ... they've got enough hitting absorb a cheap good-field no-hit guy somewhere in that line up, if that's what it takes.

Somebody will want Blanton for $2 million, of course that means the Phillies still pay $8.5M for 2012.

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 09:11 AM ET  02.01 by THE BISHOP!

It doesn't sound like signing Cole Hamels is on the horizon.

This doesn't make much sense. They have Blanton coming off the books no matter what in 2013, which saves $10.5M. Since Cole's $15M is already part of their $180M total for 2012, it's not really that much to think they can give Cole that money (Not that they wouldn't, he's not worth $25M). Plus the baseline for the luxury tax goes up about $7M per year, so the number for 2013 will be $185M. In fact, it's not inconceivable that they sign Pence to a deal too next offseason if he performs well this year.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:33 AM ET  02.01 by rdw72777

This doesn't make much sense. They have Blanton coming off the books no matter what in 2013, which saves $10.5M. Since Cole's $15M is already part of their $180M total for 2012, it's not really that much to think they can give Cole that money (Not that they wouldn't, he's not worth $25M). Plus the baseline for the luxury tax goes up about $7M per year, so the number for 2013 will be $185M. In fact, it's not inconceivable that they sign Pence to a deal too next offseason if he performs well this year.

We'll see Ruben.

Joe Blanton is due$8.5 million in 2012. He is coming off injury. His ERA over the last four years with three different teams is near the 5.00 mark.
Dangle him all you want, nobody is going near him at that price.

Got to be strong to dangle blanton.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:24 AM ET  02.01 by 50yearfan

Joe Blanton is due$8.5 million in 2012. He is coming off injury. His ERA over the last four years with three different teams is near the 5.00 mark. Dangle him all you want, nobody is going near him at that price.

As a starter in the NL, in half of 2008 his ERA was 4.20, 2009 was 4.05 and 2010 was 4.69. Saying it's near 5 is kind of odd because he won't be a closer (which is what he was most in 2011 post-injury) and half of 2008 when he was in the AL.

Even then, if you average 2008-11 his ERA is 4.55. Saying a 4.5 ERA is 5 is like saying a .250 hitter bats .300, its pretty bad rounding.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:50 AM ET  02.01 by rdw72777

As a starter in the NL, in half of 2008 his ERA was 4.20, 2009 was 4.05 and 2010 was 4.69. Saying it's near 5 is kind of odd because he won't be a closer (which is what he was most in 2011 post-injury) and half of 2008 when he was in the AL. Even then, if you average 2008-11 his ERA is 4.55. Saying a 4.5 ERA is 5 is like saying a .250 hitter bats .300, its pretty bad rounding.

This is what he is now. In 2010 and 2011 he pitched 216 innings. Gave up 117 earned runs. That my friend is an ERA of 4.87.
That is what he is. A mediocre ( on a good day ) aging pitcher coming off injuries with an ERA approaching 5.00 at a cost of $8.5 million next year.
You could not give the guy away unless you ate $7 million of that contract and traded for a soda machine in exchange. He will be dangling a long time. In Philly.

They tried to dump Blanton last year and got no takers.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:23 AM ET  02.01 by Hatrunner

Plenty of teams will take Halladay of their hands. Problem solved.

the phillies need to trade lee, and halladay to the yankees or to the cubs, their financial problems will be gone in a heart beat!!!

You're wrong on Blanton, but it won't matter. He'll pitch fine as a 5th starter and someone will want him. he's going to be back to his innings-eating self.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:01 AM ET  02.01 by 50yearfan

This is what he is now. In 2010 and 2011 he pitched 216 innings. Gave up 117 earned runs. That my friend is an ERA of 4.87. That is what he is. A mediocre ( on a good day ) aging pitcher coming off injuries with an ERA approaching 5.00 at a cost of $8.5 million next year. You could not give the guy away unless you ate $7 million of that contract and traded for a soda machine in exchange. He will be dangling a long time. In Philly.

the phillies are becoming and crying baby's lately, wonder what really happen? are they trying to imitate the yankees???

whoever take blanton should be for a minor league player, blanton salary the phillies should pay for!!!

suddenly every big spender its acting very well educated, next year hamels would be going to the free agency

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:02 AM ET  02.01 by 50yearfan

They tried to dump Blanton last year and got no takers.

and this year won't be the exception

best thing for the phillies, they will turn loose hamels, by not offering him any type of contract!!!

if the phillies turn around and try to trade cliff lee to the yankees, he may as well quit the basebnall career!!!!!