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Joe Blanton reaches one-year contract with Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have signed right-hander Joe Blanton to a one-year, $4 million contract, according to ESPN's Jim Bowden and multiple reports.
Blanton, 36, spent last season as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers' top relievers, going 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA. He helped stabilize the majors' busiest bullpen in 2016 with a .194 opponent batting average, 10th best in the National League. His 1.01 WHIP was 13th best in the NL.
The Dodgers bullpen delivered franchise records in both innings pitched (590⅔) and appearances (607) -- both numbers leading the majors. Blanton's career-high 75 appearances led the way, tying for eighth in the NL while his 2.48 ERA was 10th.
The heavy usage appeared to catch up to Blanton in the postseason, though, as he lost Game 1 of the NL Championship Series after giving up a grand slam to the Chicago Cubs' Miguel Montero and lost Game 5 when he allowed two runs in the sixth inning as the Cubs took the lead for good. Chicago clinched the series two days later.
The Washington Post first reported Tuesday that Blanton would sign the contract, and Fox Sports first reported the value of the deal.
Blanton, 36, spent last season as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers' top relievers, going 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA. He helped stabilize the majors' busiest bullpen in 2016 with a .194 opponent batting average, 10th best in the National League. His 1.01 WHIP was 13th best in the NL.
The Dodgers bullpen delivered franchise records in both innings pitched (590⅔) and appearances (607) -- both numbers leading the majors. Blanton's career-high 75 appearances led the way, tying for eighth in the NL while his 2.48 ERA was 10th.
The heavy usage appeared to catch up to Blanton in the postseason, though, as he lost Game 1 of the NL Championship Series after giving up a grand slam to the Chicago Cubs' Miguel Montero and lost Game 5 when he allowed two runs in the sixth inning as the Cubs took the lead for good. Chicago clinched the series two days later.
The Washington Post first reported Tuesday that Blanton would sign the contract, and Fox Sports first reported the value of the deal.