One month prior to pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Joe Blanton to a one-year contract. It marked the start of Blanton’s second stint with the organization, though he was to serve a different role by pitching in relief.
The addition was largely unheralded, but Blanton quickly proved to be a steal in his first season working as a full-time reliever. Although the expectation was the veteran right-hander would be a long man out of the bullpen, Blanton emerged as a dependable late-inning reliever and setup man to Kenley Jansen.