Oswalt Remains Unemployed

By Amy McGinnis

With ten days left before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Clearwater, it seems that Ruben Amaro, Jr. has no plans to offer Roy Oswalt a contract.

Little Roy is seeking a one-year contract, but with the Phils, there seems to be one thing standing in his way. "We really don't have any room for him. We have five, six starters, and our resources are about where we want to be right now," Ruben said. "I think he wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't know that's feasible or a real possibility."

Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt missed portions of the 2011 season due to injuries, and some would say that the two RHPs are interchangeable.  It makes sense: each has four pitches, postseason experience, and less-than-stellar numbers from their abridged season last year.  The biggest difference is that Blanton will be making $8.5M this season, and Oswalt appears to be set to make nothing. 

If we look at last season's numbers, they're not a fair assessment for either pitcher, since Oswalt pitched 139 and Blanton pitched just 41.1.  The fact is, though, that Blanton's 1-2 record, 5.01 ERA and 1.476 WHIP fall just short of Oswalt's 9-10 record, 3.69 ERA and 1.338 WHIP.

So, let's visit a fantasy land for a minute where another team would agree to take Blanton for this season.  I would love to have Oswalt back for one more year.  I've always been a big fan of his.  His tempo still impresses me, because he wastes no time between pitches.  He and Blanton each throw a fastball in the low 90s, but Oswalt always looks more aggressive.  In addition to the fastball, Blanton and Oswalt both throw a curveball, slider and a changeup (Oswalt added the Vulcan changedup in 2010). 

In this fantasy land of mine, Blanton gets picked up and we suddenly have room for Little Roy (insert inappropriate joke about Roy and Joe taking up the same amount of room).  I like Oswalt's attitude and grit.  Remember Manny Ramirez's line drive to the back of Little Roy's ear? Oswalt stood up and adjusted his hat.  Dubee had to say, "Yes, you are leaving this game to get checked out."  Remember Oswalt playing left field in August 2010? I love that little redneck and I think swapping him for Blanton for 2012 would reap big rewards.

To be fair, I don't mean any disrespect to Blanton.  I think he serves well as a #4 or a #5.  He catches a lot of criticism in this city, and most of it is unfounded.  My intention is not to badmouth Big Joe, so save the hate mail.  I prefer Roy Oswalt, though, and I think he'd make a good addition to our rotation this season.  In my fantasy land, anyway.

Blanton Finally Shows His Stuff

By Amy McCormick

I’ll be honest.  I like Joe Blanton.  He’s a consistent #5 pitcher, which is hard to come by.  It started to annoy me a little when fans were focusing so much on our four aces and treating Big Joe as an afterthought.  For better or worse, Blanton is our fifth starter, and part of the 2011 starting rotation. 

I attended Blanton’s first start this season when the Phillies played the Mets.  He started the game looking focused.  If you were to look at the beginning of the game and the final score of 10-7, you’d think it was a great game.  Wrong.  Blanton’s outing was fine until the 4^th and 5^th inning when he let up seven runs.  Thank goodness Bastardo and Contreras were able to come out of the bullpen, do some damage control,  and get the win and the save, respectively. 

“Be patient,” I told everyone.  We’re spoiled with Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Hamels; some fans expect Blanton to pitch at the same caliber.  It’s not going to happen.  Blanton is a solid #5, but a #5 nonetheless.  We should not expect shutouts from him.  He’s not likely to pitch complete games.  He surely won’t end a game in two hours.  “Just watch,” I said, though.  “He’ll open the series in Washington and redeem himself.”  Well, folks, that didn’t happen.  Instead, Blanton, in six innings, allowed seven hits, five runs, a walk and a homerun.  This brought Joe’s ERA to 10.45 (not a typo).  Phillies fans everywhere were ready to have Blanton removed from the starting rotation.  To be replaced by whom? Kendrick? Oh, please.  I still thought that Blanton needed a little bit of patience from us. 

Going into tonight’s game against the Brewers, Blanton brought along with him that less-than-stellar ERA and an 0-1 record.  Dubee announced that the “mechanical” issues had been worked out.  His changeup looked really good tonight, and he struck out Prince Fielder twice with it (talk about a confidence builder).  Blanton does well when he pitches inside (with the exception of the near-decapitation of Ryan Braun), and his command was on point in tonight’s game.  His line tonight was: 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 98 pitches.  Not too shabby. 

In the end, the Phils couldn’t come up with a win in twelve innings. The important thing for me, though, is that Big Joe pitched well.  He showed why he deserves to be a part of our beloved rotation.  I hope that my patience continues to pay off, because I think Blanton has the potential for a good year.  If seven solid innings is what Blanton can give us this season, I’ll gladly take it.