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Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos scouted Joe Blanton’s start for the Philadelphia Phillies today and left the ballpark after Blanton exited the game, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.

The circumstances are straightforward: The Blue Jays would like to add experience to their rotation, and the Phillies are willing to listen on offers for Blanton.

Blanton, 31, pitched three shutout innings against the Orioles, allowing four hits. He walked one and struck out three. His starts will be closely scrutinized this spring, since a medial impingement in his right elbow limited him to 11 games last year (1-2, 5.01).

Philadelphia’s primary interest in moving Blanton would be salary relief; he is set to earn $8.5 million this season in the final year of his contract. If the Phillies move Blanton, they could use the savings to renew their efforts to re-sign free agent Roy Oswalt. The Phillies spoke with Oswalt’s agent during the offseason, but the sides weren’t able to agree on a contract.

Jon Morosi ‏ @jonmorosi
#BlueJays are interested in pitching, and Joe Blanton is available in the right deal. #Phillies could benefit from salary relief.

Avenger wrote:There's zero chance of this happening, even if Cecil flops the Jays will not pay 8.5 million for a mediocre number 5 starter when they can fill that spot with Villaneuva, Carreno, McGuire, Hutchison, Jenkins etc

Duffman100 wrote:

Avenger wrote:There's zero chance of this happening, even if Cecil flops the Jays will not pay 8.5 million for a mediocre number 5 starter when they can fill that spot with Villaneuva, Carreno, McGuire, Hutchison, Jenkins etc

Zero chance even though AA was there scouting him

We do need some veteran presence in our rotation. I'm not sure if Blanton is the way to go.

Oh, and a quick note about the stories that came out about Alex Anthopoulos going to check out Joe Blanton’s outing with the Phillies.  The Jays have said all winter that they’d like to add another top-flight starting pitcher, and Blanton certainly isn’t that, though he has some strong seasons in his rear-view mirror.  What’s interesting is that prior to the game, Jays’ manager John Farrell joined pitching coach Bruce Walton to check out Brett Cecil’s bullpen session.  Farrell was only there to see Cecil, and left when he was done.  Managers don’t usually watch starters’ bullpens, so maybe the Jays have some concern there.  Then again, maybe it’s nothing.

MGD24 wrote:It is interesting...especially considering what Cecil was registering on the radar gun so far this Spring.

I'm fine with Cecil not being on the team.
But Blanton at 8.5 mill is a lot

2. Joe Blanton, RHP, Phillies - The Phillies would love to trade Blanton and insert Kyle Kendrick into the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Major league sources tell me the Phillies are making it clear that they would take as much as $2 million of Blanton’s $8 million deal.

Homer Jay wrote:Bob Elliot is mentioning that it could be Snider going the other way for Blanton.

I think the organization is reaching it's end point with Travis. They could be locking in with Thames and decided not to keep an asset like Travis wallowing in the minors, and want to convert him into something to help the big club.

I just think he's worth more than an overpaid #5 starter... even at this point.

polo007 wrote:http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2012/03/11/checking_to_see_how_this_division_adds_up/?page=full

2. Joe Blanton, RHP, Phillies - The Phillies would love to trade Blanton and insert Kyle Kendrick into the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Major league sources tell me the Phillies are making it clear that they would take as much as $2 million of Blanton’s $8 million deal.