At the top, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels are unmatched. Pitching coach Rich Dubee dubbed Worley the fourth starter as camp officially opened Sunday. Every discussion about Blanton requires the word if. An elbow injury and persistent trade rumors will do that.
The Phillies signed Kendrick to a two-year deal worth $7.5 million on Sunday. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. cited "cost certainty" - in other words, the 27-year-old righthander will not earn a significant raise again in 2013 through arbitration.
But the contract shows increased faith in a pitcher whom the Phillies appear to value more by the day. When asked whether Kendrick could start 25 to 30 games for these Phillies, Dubee issued a strong vote of confidence.
"Very much so," Dubee said. "I think there probably would be a lot of teams comfortable with Kyle Kendrick as a starter."
Right now, he's the sixth in a rotation of five, but that could change depending on Blanton's status. It's the beginning of spring training, so there must be Blanton trade rumors.
"I wouldn't know what to do if they didn't come along," Blanton deadpanned Sunday morning. "I don't even pay attention anymore. It's a business. We all understand that. No one takes it personal."
The latest: The Phillies, according to numerous published reports, talked to the New York Yankees about A.J. Burnett, who ultimately was traded to Pittsburgh. To fit Burnett into the rotation and payroll, the Phillies would have been forced to deal Blanton to another team, perhaps in a three-way deal.
That's where the reality of any Blanton rumor comes to a screeching halt. No one will trade for Blanton, who pitched all of 411/3 innings in 2011, right now unless the Phillies eat all of his remaining $8.5 million salary. And the Phils want to trade Blanton to free up money, so that's not happening.
