Not too long ago, it was reported that the Philadelphia Phillies had some interest in re-signing free agent Roy Oswalt. However, the Phillies are apparently up against their budget, so to pay for Oswalt, they'd have to lose Joe Blanton, whose 2012 salary is $8.5 million. The Phillies haven't lost Joe Blanton. The Phillies haven't re-signed Roy Oswalt.
Perhaps you thought that would be the last you'd see of the Phillies in this offseason's notable rumors. You'd be wrong. Here they are in another one:
The other team involved in the A.J. Burnett talks was the Philadelphia Phillies. Obviously would've had to clear Blanton to make it work.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 17, 2012
Burnett's going to the Pirates unless something absolutely crazy happens, so the Phillies aren't changing. But one gets the sense that Ruben Amaro is one of them leg-bouncers. Just can't sit still. I don't know how realistic it ever was that A.J. Burnett could go to the Phillies, but Amaro made a point of finding out.
Incidentally, I bet Joe Blanton is feeling really great about himself these days.