The A’s announced yesterday that they’ve inked free-agent outfielder Dairon Blanco. The 24-year-old left his native Cuba back in the spring of 2016 and was declared a free agent by MLB last November. Terms of the deal weren’t reported, but the A’s are in the metaphorical “penalty box” after blowing past last year’s international pool, so the deal can’t guarantee Blanco more than $300K.
Blanco is a lifetime .303/.369/.409 hitter in parts of four pro seasons in Cuba (916 plate appearances). At the time of his departure from Cuba and MLB’s declaration of free agency for the right-handed hitter, Blanco was said by Baseball America’s Ben Badler and Fangraphs’ Eric Longenhagen to possess 80-grade speed on the 20-80 scale but a lesser set of other tools. Longenhagen put a 40 on his arm last November, and Badler questioned his natural hitting abilities.
By the time Spring Training gets underway, it will have been more than two years since Blanco has suited up for a pro game. He’ll assuredly require some minor league time in 2018 and possibly beyond the coming season before he emerges as a viable option for the A’s. But, Oakland has no clear option in center field and could very well need a left fielder during or after the 2018 campaign, depending on the status of Matt Joyce, who’s entering the second season of a two-year deal.
Certainly, the team hopes that Dustin Fowler will be able to hold down a regular spot in their outfield (ideally, in center) for years to come, though his ability to contribute is tied directly to his ability to recover from a significant knee injury suffered in his MLB debut with the Yankees last year. Expecting Blanco to emerge as a candidate to log significant big league time this coming season seems optimistic, though his apparently blistering speed and a Gold Glove award in Cuba could make him an intriguing fourth outfield option at the very least, if he can prove competent with the bat.
Oakland’s assistant GM Dan Feinstein spoke highly of Blanco to Melissa Lockard of OaklandClubhouse.com, telling her that the A’s have been scouting Blanco for more than a year during his workouts in the Dominican Republic. “[Blanco] has a track record of success in the Cuba, and possesses tools that are hard to come by,” said Feinstein. “He’s very athletic, and a true 80 runner with the ability to play all three outfield spots. Profiles as leadoff hitter who will occasionally put one in the seats.”
6 hours late lol
They probably wanted more information and quotes/analysis from insiders.
You don’t have be a dingle berry about it.
Remember when MLB trade rumours was within 2 hours on report news cause I member
Remember when people didn’t whine about every little thing, especially a free site that complies info all in one place ….Free for the convenience of fans. I remember those days which sadly seem to be gone.
lol my intention was to be seen as a joke….i feel like they are typically faster than BR and MLB at bat.
Sorry, but it didn’t read that way as you can tell by reactions.
80-grade speed?
Only other prospect I know with 80-grade speed is the one you guys got as the center of Sonny Gray trade.
Jorge Mateo.
Billy Beane is hoarding 80-grade speed prospects.
Sounds like he’s going to be super fast when he runs from the plate to the dugout after he strikes out.
Phillies’ prospect Roman Quinn is thought by some to have 80 grade speed:
thatballsouttahere.com/2016/10/31/phillies-roman-q…
Check out the inside-the-park HR in the video inthe link.
Jank from the padres graded out as 80 speed
He is really fast but Margot is faster
For that CF in Oakland—Jackie Bradley, Jr. is the guy.
If BB trades for him and removes him from the Bright Lights of Boston—you will have a star.
JBJ has grown as a player–I’m sure DD would want a good player for him only because he knows his value.
why? Lol we have Fowler and Powell
JBJ is light years better than both of those guys.
He’s also far more expensive than we can afford to give up right now. The A’s previous couple of moves lead me to believe they aren’t willing to give up any of our pitching prospects until they have an idea of what will work.
We’re not trading for JBJ. That would require us giving up a lot of prospects at positions we’re unsure of at the moment. Going for something inhouse is a better option right now.
If you have ever seen ANY of his posts, that’s all it is, he is a useless troll, nothing more.
They way they talk about this guy, it seems like he is Billy Hamilton but without the arm.