Phillies, Orioles Continue Discussing Joe Blanton Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles continue discussing a deal that would send right-handed starting pitcher Joe Blanton to Baltimore, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles would be sending a minor league player to Philly, but the main issue seems to be the salary relief Baltimore would receive. According to Connolly, the Phillies want to dump the remainder of Joe Blanton's contract, but the Orioles are hesitant to do that.

#Orioles and #Phillies are still negotiating Joe Blanton deal. Orioles likely would have to deal only a minor leaguer, but $ is an issue ...

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) July 31, 2012

Source says #Phillies want to shed all of Blanton's remaining salary, roughly $3M, and #Orioles are hesitant to do that for an innings eater

— Dan Connolly (@danconnollysun) July 31, 2012

it's unclear who would be headed to Philly in a potential deal, but one player the Phillies are targeting is 20-year-old infielder to Jonathan Schoop, according to Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.