Pirates trade for Joe Blanton

Update: Vance Worley has been designated for assignment to make room for Joe Blanton.

MINNEAPOLIS -- If the overnight Cole Hamels and Carlos Gomez intrigue wasn’t enough for you, I present: Joe Blanton.

The Pirates acquired Blanton from the Kansas City Royals early this morning in exchange for cash considerations. Blanton, 34, was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Royals traded for Johnny Cueto.

He is making $1 million this season.

In 15 games, four starts, Blanton has a 3.89 ERA and 40 strikeouts compared to seven walks in 412/3 innings. The Oakland Athletics originally drafted Blanton in the first round in 2002. He has since played for the A’s, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels in addition to the Royals.

Blanton profiles as a long reliever for the Pirates, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio indicates there could be something there.  

He won a World Series with the Phillies in 2008. He has a career 2.3 batters per nine walk rate, which was 1.9 batters per nine from 2011 on. In six of his 11 relief appearances this year, he pitched more than one inning, suggesting he could serve as a long reliever. Vance Worley is out of options. 

Blanton is expected to join the Pirates today in Cincinnati, at which point they will make a corresponding move.