Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers 2016 Player Review: Joe Blanton
Dodgers News

Dodgers 2016 Player Review: Joe Blanton

Eric Avakian
November 24, 2016
3 Min Read
Joe-blanton
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Dodgers certainly understood heading into the season that their bullpen needed to be addressed. One of their additions, albeit one that was largely unheralded, was the signing of Joe Blanton.

It marked the right-hander’s second stint with the organization, though this time under a different role. During the 2015 season, Blanton spent time working as a starter and reliever for the Kansas City Royals. He was used exclusively out of the bullpen after being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Dodgers signed Blanton under the pretense of using him as a middle or long reliever. Injuries and performance forced manager Dave Roberts to juggle those best-laid plans.

Blanton went 2-1 with a 0.87 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and held opponents to a .121 batting average during 11 appearances in April. He had 10 scoreless appearances in May, but also had two outings where he allowed three runs each time out.

With a refined repertoire based on fastball command and an effective slider, the 12-year veteran cemented himself as the Dodgers’ primary setup man to Kenley Jansen.

In four of six months this season Blanton posted an ERA under 2.10. Overall during the regular season, he went 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.01 WHIP in 75 appearances. However, most will remember Blanton for his implosion at the wrong moments in the postseason.

The National League Divisional Series was not an issue, as he allowed only one hit and issued one walk over five scoreless innings. Then in the NL Championship Series, Blanton allowed back-to-back home runs in Game 1, including a go-ahead grand slam to pinch-hitter Miguel Montero.

That unfortunately wasn’t the only slider Blanton hung against the Chicago Cubs, as Addison Russell deposited a high breaking ball into the pavilion at Dodger Stadium in Game 5. Blanton allowed seven runs over three innings in the NLCS.

2016 Highlight

Blanton’s 75 appearances this season easily career high. Perhaps showing some signs of fatigue in July, he posted a 4.05 ERA during that calendar month but turned the corner.

Building on a strong August showing, Blanton went 2-0 with 9.1 shutout innings and a 1.29 WHIP in 10 appearances during September.

2017 Outlook

Blanton is a free agent for a second consecutive winter, and given his successful 2016 campaign, figures to command a multiyear contract. He signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Dodgers in January.

Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi mentioned Blanton among the club’s top priorities this offseason. But with multiple teams looking to improve their bullpen, the price for the soon-to-be-36-year-old may become too rich for the Dodgers.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:2016 ReviewJoe BlantonLos Angeles Dodgers
ByEric Avakian
Eric Avakian is a journalist from Burbank, Calif., serving as a staff writer at DodgerBlue.com. Eric was a June 2016 graduate from the Business Administration department at Cal Poly Pomona. Eric also serves as a staff writer at Lakersnation.com and previously served as a staff writer for Dodgers Nation. Contact: Eric@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Walker Buehler Doesn’t Have ‘Problem’ With Ildemaro Vargas Despite Exchanging Words

June 4, 2019
June 4, 2019
Chris Taylor
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Chris Taylor Likely Changing Routine To Avoid Wrist Trouble

May 19, 2021
May 19, 2021
Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Fernando Valenzuela Inducted Into California Hall Of Fame

December 7, 2018
December 7, 2018
Adrian-gonzalez-yasiel-puig-justin-turner-1
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: 2016 NLDS Roster Comprised Of 14 Position Players, 11 Pitchers

October 7, 2016
October 7, 2016

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어