Dodgers 2016 Season Previews: Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton sucks! That was my initial knee-jerk reaction upon learning that the Dodgers had signed Blanton to a one-year, $4-million contract. There was a valid basis for my reaction, he had played for the Dodgers in 2012 and, well . . . . he sucked.

Believe it or not, Blanton has completely reinvented himself as an elite relief pitcher. Does that sound like hyperbole? Make your own conclusions.

2015 Recap

Blanton started a handful of forgettable games for Kansas City and then pitched out of the bullpen before being traded to Pittsburgh at the end of July. After making some adjustments suggested by Pirates’ pitching coach Ray Searage, Blanton dominated the second-half of the season compiling…