Seemingly out of nowhere, Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies late Monday night, shocking a world that was prepared to see the 32-year-old lefty ace end up with the Yankees or Rangers. It's a move that makes the Phillies into World Series favorites, but it's also a move that will take some other moves to make payroll space, as Lee isn't coming cheap. And that's where Joe Blanton comes in.

Jerry Crasnick reported on Monday that the Phillies have been trying to trade Blanton to clear up salary, and the names we've heard in connection so far are the Red Sox and Brewers. The Phillies talked to the Red Sox, but no deal was struck. Meanwhile, the Brewers are interested in adding Blanton, but they would need the Phillies to eat some salary.

Blanton is due to make $8.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The 30-year-old righty is coming off a 4.82 ERA, but he also had a 4.05 ERA the year before, and he's proven himself to be an innings-eating strike-thrower who can fit into the back of any rotation. He's likely to be seen as a fallback option for teams that miss out on signing Carl Pavano.

Stay tuned, as the Joe Blanton rumors should stick around until the righty is finally moved.