RADIO
The San Francisco Giants are closing in on a contract with utility player Kyle Blanks, according to The San Francisco Chronicle. The deal would be a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
The move potentially deepens the roster of the 2014 World Series champions after a season where they failed to make the postseason. The potential signing of Blanks could also be an insurance policy after the injury-plagued season that Hunter Pence had. Blanks is expected to make team and provide a powerful bat off the bench.
Kyle Blanks is close to finalizing a minor-league deal with the Giants and has a good chance to make the team out of spring training.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) November 17, 2015
The 29-year-old only played in 18 games last season with the Texas Rangers. It was another solid season off the bench for Blanks as he had a great .313 BA with only 67 at-bats spread throughout the course of a season. The righty hit 3 HR along with 6 RBI, which could be useful in San Fran where it’s only 339 ft. in left field. This move could be a huge spark late in games, especially at home.
Blanks could play either one of the corner positions as well as outfield. He might get an opportunity to play more than the 18 he played last season and the 21 he played in 2014 when he had a .333 BA. He’s one of the more productive bench players, but with his versatility, he could fill in for a player like Pence. After playing in all 162 games for two straight seasons, Pence only appeared in 52 because of various injuries. Blanks could be used to give the 32-year-old slugger some rest. Angel Pagan never can stay healthy throughout the course of an entire season, which could provide more playing time and Marlon Byrd is 38. Since he's a much older player, he’s going to need his share of rest. Brandon Belt and Matt Duffy could be replaced for a game here and there by Blanks. There’s plenty of opportunity for him to see the lineup more than usual this season. His career high in games played is 88. He hasn’t reached that total even if the last four seasons were combined.
