The Giants have agreed to a minor-league deal to bring back outfielder/first baseman Kyle Blanks, Matt Eddy of Baseball America tweets. Blanks, 30, never suited up for San Francisco last year as he continued to deal with foot injuries.
With Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco set to depart, the Giants have a need in left field. Though Blanks could theoretically share time there, it’s not clear whether he will be able to patrol the outfield grass at this stage. He could also conceivably challenge for a spot as a bench bat and could pick up some appearances at first base.
Blanks had seemed to have a good shot at earning a reserve role in San Francisco last spring, and he has exhibited real promise at times with the bat. He carries a solid lifetime .241/.322/.416 slash with 33 home runs over 933 MLB plate appearances. And Blanks has laid waste to Triple-A pitching. The biggest question remains whether he can stay healthy.
Another wasted signing.
I hate it when people like you say things like this. This signing has absolutely no risk and all you’re losing is a roster spot in triple a.
Why? It’s not like they are going to approach free agency with the attitude of “don’t sign this guy – we’ve got Blanks”.
Another wasted comment.
A minor league signing is not a “waste”.
he’s a good player. health issues yes but that comes with the territory. really liked the short time he played in Oakland. don’t be so negative.
Yeah he isn’t a waste, I watched him in Texas and he absolutely Raked
So did Wily Mo Pena
Blanks is a good hitter. But health is a skill, too, and one he’s never had.
Zero risk. It’s a position of need. It has zero financial ramifications. It doesn’t stop them from bringing in a starter through trade or free agency. If you’re complaining about this, you need to let Game 4 of the NLDS go and move on.
Hard to believe I am reading the same write up about Blanks that writers were producing when he was with the Padres. Blanks has potential, power, if only he could stay healthy. That was years ago…
It’s still true though
It’s sort of funny though…Blanks has made a living in baseball so far by NOT playing. Just keep showing promise and pick up a check…sort of like farmers who get paid NOT to grow crops.
He gets injured doing his job. If you got hurt at work would you ask your employers to stop paying you?
This is America..
Unlimited earning potential! All he ever gets paid with is a Blanks check!
I remember seeing him in AA game around 8 years ago I’m San Antonio. It’s cool that he’s still in the game. Good for him.
Oh no is that mean Giants are in a cheap spending mode????
The Giants needed a experience premium power bat
Look what happened to the Cubbie 2916. They are the most power team and yet got zero runs in four post season Cubbie hits like the Giants hahaha
If Giants don’t get a power bat team will have 50 games of zero runs
I wouldn’t think so – everyone seems to be concerned about an OF bat with the departure of blanco, pagan- but in actuality their production hasn’t really been a cornerstone of the giants’ success as of late. if you can get a mac or parker to step up with some playing time or someone else from the minors you will get at least your same offense with a comparable or better defense, anything more is just an upgrade. Buut – even if you decide mac and parker can platoon LF and go all in on the pen and maybe 3B, you still need a backup OF for replacement and/or injury so blanks is nice to have regardless.
Zero risk deal, everything to win and nothing to lose. If he stays healthy he can fill in when needed… as long as this is not seen as a solution that eliminates the need for spending on a true powerbat