Joe Blanton To Red Sox Talk 'Never Was Serious'

Joe Blanton Talks Diminish, Theo Epstein And Red Sox Dodge Bullet

After acquiring Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford this offseason, many believed that Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox were done with their big money moves and they would simply focus on addressing their immediate needs. Yet it looked like general consensus would be wrong again on Tuesday when rumors surfaced the Red Sox and Phillies were in talks that would have sent pitcher Joe Blanton to Fenway Park.

Joe Blanton To Red Sox Deal Reportedly 'Not Likely'

Joe Blanton To Red Sox Talk Reportedly 'Never Was Serious'

Following the Phillies' five-year deal with Cliff Lee, rumors started swirling early Tuesday morning that Philadelphia was set to ship pitcher Joe Blanton and the $17 million owed to him over the next two years to the Boston Red Sox. But nearly as quickly as Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal tweeted that news, a handful of reporters shot down the report, beginning with WEEI's Rob Bradford.

Reports Of Joe Blanton To Red Sox Swirl After Phillies Sign Cliff Lee

Late Monday night, in a shocking twist, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Cliff Lee to five-year deal, giving them one of the baseball's top rotations (if not the best). As a result, Joe Blanton may be on his way to join the Boston Red Sox.