So far this season Joe Blanton is as advertised: an eyesore in the Phillies rotation. He started out today's game by giving up back-to-back home runs in the first inning. Joe also walked the eight-hole hitter and gave up a hit to the pitcher in the second inning. It seems the more he pitches the more difficult he gets to watch, especially when Vance Worley has pitched so well, sporting a 2-0 record with a 1.13 ERA.

Blanton, through six starts, is 1-2 with a 5.50 ERA, the only win coming against Atlanta after the Phillies offense bailed him out. He has also given up 21 runs and 40 hits in only 34.1 innings.

It is clear he is not in the best physical shape and he is also pitching with an "impingement" in his pitching arm. His fastball sat between 86 and 87 today where it normally is in the 88 to 90 range. If he is hurt then he should not try and tough it out. Let players that are 100 percent pitch instead of barely getting through four or five innings.

Phillies Nation has seen about enough of Blanton. It's time for a change. Send him away for whatever prospects a team will give up. Unfortunately, it will be tough to move Blanton's contract without eating at least some of his owed salary.

If a player isn't helping you win, then he is making you lose. This is something the Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel has struggled with his entire career.