Los Angeles Dodgers Roster News 2016: Joe Blanton Offered One-Year Deal as Reliever
Veteran right-hander Joe Blanton thought his career in professional baseball was over. But after a year of layoff, he decided to get another crack at it by keeping himself fit and toned up. With the perseverance and commitment to relive his career, he eventually succeeded in getting an offer from one team.
Several reports are saying that the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed in principle to sign the pitcher to a one-year deal worth $4 million.
After a brief stint back in 2014 with the Oakland Athletics minors, he briefly retired but eventually came back last season to play for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He posted a 2.84 ERA, along with 79 strikeouts with 16 walks. In his entire career highlighted by stints in six different teams, he managed 4.44 ERA with 1,165 strikeouts and 428 walks all in all. He did this in 1,643 1/3 innings.
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The brief stint at retirement in 2014 made him realize how he couldn't move on with baseball. He worked harder to be able to lose weight and be in better shape. He returned as a reliever in 2015, allowing .612 OPS versus a .293 BABIP, suggesting that he still could have done better.
Perhaps the best time he played baseball was with the Pirates, the team that acquired him in a deal during the trade-deadline after his previous team, Kansas City, relegated him to minor league assignment. He had 21 relief appearances for Pittsburgh, going 5-0 on a 1.57 ERA.
He performs well with right-handed hitters from opposing teams, allowing an average of .203 for last year. His addition to the Dodgers means that he is expected to provide some sort of balance to the roster since practically everyone in the existing rotation is left-handed.
With the rebirth of his career last season after a brief crack at retirement, the Dodgers hope he carries his momentum next season as a reliever.
