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MLB Hires Gregor Blanco, Nick Hundley As Senior Directors Of Baseball Operations

By Mark Polishuk | February 6, 2020 at 2:15pm CDT

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.

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Newsstand Gregor Blanco Nick Hundley Retirement

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View Comments (39)
Post a Comment

39 Comments

  1. PapiElf

    5 years ago

    I thought Nick wanted to keep playing?

    5
    Reply
    • andrewgauldin

      5 years ago

      Given the job he just got, he’s gonna find a good job for the rest of his life. Easy decision imo.

      2
      Reply
    • Strike Four

      5 years ago

      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.

      Reply
  2. spaghettigoblin

    5 years ago

    Welp, so much for yesterday, lol

    4
    Reply
    • jr.white

      5 years ago

      Awfully quick 180

      Reply
      • jd396

        5 years ago

        “I want an MiLB contract”
        * MLB wheelbarrow full of cash *
        “I’m retiring”

        1
        Reply
  3. SanDiegoTom

    5 years ago

    Good for Hundley. I always enjoyed watching him with the Padres.

    1
    Reply
  4. ThePeople'sElbow

    5 years ago

    2 pros pros, who can advocate for the average MLB player.

    Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      5 years ago

      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…

      Reply
      • andrewgauldin

        5 years ago

        I’m all for a good conspiracy theory. Screw it let’s waste my time in a rabbit hole.

        Reply
  5. Big glove502

    5 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • Frisco500

      5 years ago

      He was the white Shark. Now they have a white Shart.

      Reply
  6. mcdusty49

    5 years ago

    His agent must’ve thrown out the interest in continuing playing to drive up MLB’s offer…very Boras like lol

    1
    Reply
    • jd396

      5 years ago

      A mystery professional baseball league offered him a lot of money.

      1
      Reply
  7. Rangers29

    5 years ago

    What exactly is senior directors of baseball ops.?

    Reply
    • pustule bosey

      5 years ago

      that was my question

      Reply
  8. DarrenDreifortsContract

    5 years ago

    Guaranteed money is always the best decision and I doubt there were many teams in the market for a 36 year old catcher.

    Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      5 years ago

      Look at the Yankees back up competition should they keep three catchers.

      Reply
  9. spencer99

    5 years ago

    Thank you Gregor for all the memories. I’ll never forget watching you save Cain’s perfect game!!

    1
    Reply
  10. Rsox

    5 years ago

    “What a difference a day makes…24 little hours…”

    Reply
  11. scottn59c

    5 years ago

    Both of these guys are class-A gamers. Wishing them both well in their new roles.

    Reply
    • ABStract

      5 years ago

      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!

      Reply
  12. brat922

    5 years ago

    So happy for these two forever Giants!! The league needs some help.

    Reply
  13. towinagain

    5 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  14. talking baseball

    5 years ago

    Blanco & Hundley FOREVER GIANTS !!
    Thanks for being Great Giants !!

    Reply
  15. giantsphan12

    5 years ago

    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!!!

    1
    Reply
  16. jonnyblah

    5 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  17. bravesfan

    5 years ago

    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

    Reply
    • burnt_reynolds

      5 years ago

      They posted the article because Hundley said the words himself, you dunce

      1
      Reply
      • Strike Four

        5 years ago

        Just another example of how bravesfan is one of the worst commenters on this site by a long, long way

        Reply
        • jd396

          5 years ago

          Don’t sell yourself short

          2
          Reply
  18. Johhos

    5 years ago

    “ SENIOR director of baseball operations” ? So much for working your way up the ladder… Hopefully they report to LaRussa or Torre…..or another hammer….

    Reply
  19. Mr. E Team

    5 years ago

    White Shark as a senior director makes me feel old.

    Reply
  20. Baytown

    5 years ago

    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.

    1
    Reply
  21. wtfdaemon

    5 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  22. pustule bosey

    5 years ago

    they should give timmy a job too

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      5 years ago

      I think he may be working on his special farm.

      Reply
  23. YankeesBleacherCreature

    5 years ago

    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.

    1
    Reply
  24. kelticknotz

    5 years ago

    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.
    ‘

    Reply

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