Gregor Blanco and Nick Hundley have been hired by Major League Baseball as senior directors of baseball operations, as per a league press release. The news would seemingly bring an end to the playing careers of the two veterans, who were teammates on the 2018 Giants, and have 22 years of Major League experience between them.
It was just yesterday that Hundley spoke of negotiations with a few teams and his desire to play in 2020, so while Hundley’s retirement is perhaps a bit of a surprise, the 36-year-old former catcher will hang up his mask and move into a new phase of his baseball career. Originally a second-round pick for the Padres in the 2005 draft, Hundley spent 510 of his 974 career MLB games with San Diego, and also suited up for the Rockies, Giants, Orioles, and A’s over the course of his 12-year career. Oakland was the last official stop for Hundley, as he appeared in 31 games for the A’s during an injury-marred 2019 season, then failed to crack the Phillies’ big league roster after signing a minors deal with Philadelphia last August.
Hundley hit .247/.299/.405 with 93 home runs over 3373 career plate appearances, with an 89 wRC+/91 OPS+ that grades out as pretty solid for a catcher, especially one who usually worked in a platoon or backup role. As with many veteran catchers who have stuck around the sport, Hundley has a good reputation in the clubhouse, and for working well with pitchers and calling games, even mentioned as a potential future candidate to someday become a manager.
Blanco was also a popular figure with teammates and fans over six seasons in San Francisco, as the outfielder went from being an unheralded minor league free agent pickup in the 2011-12 offseason to a big contributor to the Giants’ World Series championship clubs in 2012 and 2014. After three nondescript years with the Braves and Royals and then not even playing in a big league game in 2011, Blanco became a regular in the Giants’ outfield, capable of playing above-average defense at any of the three positions. No discussion of Blanco’s glovework is complete, of course, without mention of his diving grab in the seventh inning of what became a perfect game for Matt Cain on June 13, 2012.
Over 1060 games and appearances in parts of ten Major League seasons, Blanco hit .255/.338/.348 (91 OPS+/93 wRC+) with 26 homers and 122 stolen bases in 3349 plate appearances with the Giants, Braves, Royals, and Diamondbacks. Blanco didn’t play in a big league game in 2019, as he didn’t return to the Show after signing a minor league contract with the Mets last offseason.
The 36-year-old Blanco will now join Hundley within MLB’s organizational hierarchy. As per the press release, Blanco and Hundley will work “as an MLB liaison to Major League Clubs, players and umpires” and “will aid in the administration of on-field discipline and will provide insights regarding on-field rules, initiatives, technology, instant replay and other topics. Blanco and Hundley will participate in MLB’s youth baseball development initiatives in the United States and Latin America, will speak to amateur players at MLB events and will assist in the evaluation of prospective umpires.”
We at MLB Trade Rumors wish Blanco and Hundley all the best in their efforts to help grow and develop the sport, and congratulate them on their fine playing careers.
I thought Nick wanted to keep playing?
Given the job he just got, he’s gonna find a good job for the rest of his life. Easy decision imo.
He wanted to. All 30 teams went “you are terrible at baseball now”. Which he is. Almost all catchers become totally useless at age 35. Look it up. There’s outliers but its mind blowing how thats the age so many of them become terrible players, and instantly washed up. Must be the toll on the body.
Welp, so much for yesterday, lol
Awfully quick 180
“I want an MiLB contract”
* MLB wheelbarrow full of cash *
“I’m retiring”
Good for Hundley. I always enjoyed watching him with the Padres.
2 pros pros, who can advocate for the average MLB player.
Just seems like this came out of nowhere. I don’t see any connections to Houston or Boston but it feels like payback for help in the investigations. Conspiracy nut? Not me, just a poor attempt at humor…
I’m all for a good conspiracy theory. Screw it let’s waste my time in a rabbit hole.
good for them. loved blanco, who was the first shark on the Giants. and loved hundley for the year he was here. seemed like every hit he had was for extra bases.
He was the white Shark. Now they have a white Shart.
His agent must’ve thrown out the interest in continuing playing to drive up MLB’s offer…very Boras like lol
A mystery professional baseball league offered him a lot of money.
What exactly is senior directors of baseball ops.?
that was my question
Guaranteed money is always the best decision and I doubt there were many teams in the market for a 36 year old catcher.
Look at the Yankees back up competition should they keep three catchers.
Thank you Gregor for all the memories. I’ll never forget watching you save Cain’s perfect game!!
“What a difference a day makes…24 little hours…”
Both of these guys are class-A gamers. Wishing them both well in their new roles.
If you didn’t love Blanco, you don’t love baseball, that guy was all heart.
Hundley also a great guy that exemplified the best of baseball’s hard working, no nonsense style
Good luck in your new positions fellas!
So happy for these two forever Giants!! The league needs some help.
Hopefully this means the Padres will finally get a fair strike zone.
Between Young and Hundley, former Padres, they can finally hold shady umps accountable. The Padres had one of the worst strike zones called against them in MLB.
Blanco & Hundley FOREVER GIANTS !!
Thanks for being Great Giants !!
This is the best baseball news, for me, of the day!! A fan of both former players, especially Blanco, I am really happy for both guys to be able to stay in the game and continue to positively contribute to baseball. Both were such good “clubhouse guys” and respected by their peers. A very cool move on behalf of MLB. Good luck Gregor and Nick with your new role in the game!!!
Two great guys respected league-wide, I wish them the best. I kinda hoped Hundley would go into broadcasting. He’d make a great color commentary guy.
Y’all freaking just posted an article stating he intended to play next season lol. The struggles of being a rumor site, still love the work. Keep it pumping
They posted the article because Hundley said the words himself, you dunce
Just another example of how bravesfan is one of the worst commenters on this site by a long, long way
Don’t sell yourself short
“ SENIOR director of baseball operations” ? So much for working your way up the ladder… Hopefully they report to LaRussa or Torre…..or another hammer….
White Shark as a senior director makes me feel old.
I was at that game when Cain had his perfecto and Blanco made the incredible catch. What you can’t see in the video is how quickly he made his jump. Instantaneously off the bat Blanco took off in a perfect direction. Has to be one of the best breaks I’ve ever seen (including Mays) and no way he gets there without it.
Loved both of these guys in orange and black. Great dudes in every way, from top to bottom, and they’ll always be welcomed back warmly in SF.
they should give timmy a job too
I think he may be working on his special farm.
I’m glad MLB is working to further develop youth baseball development initiatives. What MLB also needs is to create more oversight into minor league environment for players. I don’t want to see teams contracting.
One thing about catchers, as they get older they are reminded first thing in the morning when they go to get out of bed and they hear those knees go ” snap, crackle and pop” and the back feels like the guy who stabbed you left the knife still in, so as they approach a new spring training they begin to wonder if its worth it all.
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