The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired right-hander Joe Blanton from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations.
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Blanton is expected to meet the Pirates in Cincinnati tonight and will be activated as the Pirates begin their series with the Reds. He’s making over $2 million this season, so maybe the Pirates are gambling that Worley clears waivers and accepts their minor-league assignment, and then they’ll have both Worley and Blanton. 89 ERA and recorded 40 strikeouts over the course of 41.2 innings whereas notching two saves.
After missing all of 2014, Blanton signed with the Royals and has posted his best numbers in almost a decade. He has seen much greater success as a reliever this year, posting a 2.74 ERA in 23 innings pitched.
In a move that received far less scrutiny and press than others that went down on Wednesday night – and even some that didn’t – the Pirates made a move to bolster their pitching ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. Worley split the year between starting (eight games) and long relief for the Pirates.
Should Charlie Morton continue to struggle as the fifth man in the rotation, the Pirates now have the option to throw Blanton in there to see what he can do.
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Blanton was designated for assignment by the Royals on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for newly-acquired Johnny Cueto.
