Phillies’ right handed pitcher Joe Blanton is set to be a free agent at the end of the season. But he may not be in the Phillies plans for the 2012 season which is just weeks away. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com said that the Red Sox and Orioles sent scouts to check on Blanton yesterday, when he made his third start of the spring.

Both teams are looking to add a veteran arm says Salisbury, and the 31-year old right hander could be a possibility. If the Phillies decide to trade him, they could save some of the $8.5 million owed to him and use that money to fill other holes on the team. Salisbury adds that one of the holes they would like to fill is another infielder.

If they decide to trade Blanton, either now or around the trade deadline in July, they would probably fill Blanton’s spot in the rotation with Kyle Kendrick, who according to teams officials (via Salisbury) is ready for the task.

Blanton missed most of the 2011 season due to an elbow surgery, but he appears to be healthy now. In 2011 he was 1-2 with a 5.01 ERA in 41.1 innings. He has a career 1.0 HR/9, 2.5 BB/9 and 5.9 SO/9.

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