Pitcher Joe Blanton is not guaranteed a spot on the Los Angeles Angels this season despite a $7.5 million salary.
The Angels figure to employ a rotation of Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Hector Santiago. Blanton is logging innings this spring in case Skaggs or Santiago need more seasoning or should an injury arise.
If neither of those two situations happen the Angels could deal the 33-year-old right hander as manager Mike Scioscia does not believe the team needs a arm capable of throwing long relief innings.
“You’d love to have a guy with length,” he said. “We’re looking for guys that are going to hold leads and help us win games.”
“If we have really good arms that are getting guys out and don’t have much length, I don’t think that will keep them from our pen.”
A 2013 season in which Blanton was 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP cost him his rotation spot. The Angels would have to eat a significant portion of the $8.5 million – 2014 salary plus $1 million buyout for 2015 – still owed to him if they want to trade him.
