Angels Sign Joe Blanton….Are They Out On Zack Greinke?

Well the Angels kept busy on Wednesday and added a starting pitcher to their staff. No, it’s not that Zack Greinke guy. The Angels signed Joe Blanton to a two year deal worth $15 million plus a option for 2015. What does this mean? Well, it’s possible that they aren’t done adding to their rotation and no, it probably won’t be for Greinke. Their payroll is around $140 million.

Sep 3, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Los Angeles Dodgers starter Joe Blanton (56) delivers a pitch against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Blanton, as of now, sits in the four spot in the rotation, behind newly acquired Tommy Hanson and ahead of Garrett Richards. It’s possible that they could go out and sign a guy like Brandon McCarthy for a similar deal and slot Blanton in the five hole and give Richards another full year at AAA starting and have Jerome Williams as the swing man in the bullpen.There are reports that Greinke could get as much as $25 million per year for six years. I can’t see the Angels adding that kind of money to their payroll, especially now with the additions of Blanton and Sean Burnett.

Blanton went 10-13 with an ERA of 4.71 for the Philadlphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. The guy eats innings, throwing over 190 innings in six years of his career. His home run allowed numbers blew up with Philadlephia, but now going to more of a fair park, I think you can expect that number to go down.

I expect him to pitch like Ervin Santana with a savings of about $4 million, or what Hanson will get in arbitration. In fact, the sixth pitcher in player comparison on baseball-reference.com is Santana.

Blanton is a depth move. His price tag may be a little higher than expected, however, that’s the market right now. He’s been durable in the past and succeeded in the division. The Angels had to protect themselves in the event that Greinke leaves and this is what they did.