Buster "Rhymes" Olney reports that prior the AJ Burnett + money to the Pirates for 2 prospects deal went down that the Phillies were aggressively pursuing a 3-team swap. The trade would have sent Joe Blanton to the Angels for Bobby Abreu, then Abreu to...

He posed for pictures with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, too. One of those pictures appeared on the cover of the most popular sports magazine in the world. But Joe Blanton doesn’t have that Sports Illustrated cover on display at...

He posed for pictures with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, too. One of those pictures appeared on the cover of the most popular sports magazine in the world. But Joe Blanton doesn’t have that Sports Illustrated cover on display at...

They don't know if Chase Utley can ever return to the power-hitting .300 presence he once was or what kind of year they can expect from Ryan Howard and his healing Achilles'. They don't know what to expect from Joe Blanton, don't know if Vance Worley...

Does that preclude a Blanton trade from happening later this spring? No. By reportedly inquiring about Burnett, the Phillies showed their hand; they are seeking an upgrade. Amaro was asked Sunday whether he is pursuing such a move. “Right now, I think...

Philadelphia Inquirer CLEARWATER, Fla. Joe Blanton, freed from the purgatory of solitary rehabilitation, is step-for-step with his teammates. Kyle Kendrick, owner of a brand-new $7.5 million contract, is holding a makeshift news conference in the...

He posed for pictures with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, too. One of those pictures appeared on the cover of the most popular sports magazine in the world. But Joe Blanton doesn’t have that Sports Illustrated cover on display at...

"We like the fact that we get a little cost certainty out of this deal," Amaro said. Kendrick is likely to start the season in the bullpen as a long reliever. But with Joe Blanton coming off a season in which he barely pitched because of elbow...

Philadelphia starting pitcher Joe Blanton said Sunday he is optimistic he will be able to stay healthy during the upcoming season after dealing with a troublesome elbow injury last year. Blanton was limited to just eight starts and 11 total appearances...

It is also believed they shopped Blanton with the intention of shedding salary so they could bring back Oswalt, who remains unsigned. Amaro insists the Phillies are not trying to upgrade their rotation at this time. "I like the way we set up," he said. ...

Fla. Joe Blanton, freed from the purgatory of solitary rehabilitation, is step-for-step with his teammates. Kyle Kendrick, owner of a brand-new $7.5 million contract, is holding a makeshift news conference in the cafeteria. There are more questions...

“He’s willing to do anything you ask him. He’s done that the last few years. I’m glad for him. He deserves this. And we like the fact we get a little cost certainty out of this.” With Vance Worley and Joe Blanton penciled into the fourth and fifth jobs...

After these three, the health concerns begin to mount. Vance Worley had a stellar season, but pitched only 132 innings last year in barely a full season. There is a lot to like about Worley, but he still has to prove he can stay consistent into August...

Diego Moreno and outfielder Exicardo Cayones. This is where it gets interesting. Were the Phillies the mystery team pursuing Burnett? According to ESPN's Buster Olney, via HardballTalk, the Phils were involved in talks for Burnett before a deal was...

Lee hurled six shutouts on the season and posted earned run averages The Phillies also overcame injuries to many key players, including Carlos Ruiz, Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco, Hamels, Oswalt, Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Jose...

Hyatt makes the most sense for that role. As discussed at the time he was signed, I felt Pineiro was a great depth signing. I just don’t think his present skill-set can outperform Joe Blanton, Kyle Kendrick, or Austin Hyatt to win a starting spot and I...

On Thursday, we'll do the position players. 40-MAN ROSTER Phillippe Aumont — Even if he doesn't make the club out of spring training, he'll pitch in Philadelphia sometime in 2012. Antonio Bastardo — The eighth inning is his to lose, despite the...

Vance Worley will enter the spring with a spot in the rotation after going 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 21 starts and four relief appearances as a rookie. WHAT TO WATCH: All eyes will be on Joe Blanton as he looks to prove that his elbow is fully recovered...

Like every good team, the root of that success can be directly traced to the farm system. From the emergence of homegrown players such as Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, and Carlos Ruiz to the prospects that were dealt for Joe...