In a continuing effort to add depth to all levels of their baseball operations, the New York Mets announced they have signed San Francisco Giant outfielder Gregor Blanco to a minor league deal.
Blanco, who will turn 35 on Christmas eve, has played for five major league teams–Atlanta, Kansas City, Washington, Arizona and two stints with San Francisco.
In 2018 with the Giants his slash line was a rather pedestrian .217/.262/.317. He has played in all three outfield positions and is widely regarded as a solid defensive player. In fact, during his career, he has had a 306-game errorless streak.
Blanco is a two-time World Series champion with the Giants (in 2012 and 2014) and was voted Wilson Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. His career highlight occurred on June 13, 2012 when he made a sensational catch off the bat of Braves’ outfielder Jordan Schafer in deep right-center to preserve Matt Cain‘s perfect game. The San Francisco press called it a “catch for the ages”.
Gregor Blanco is no doubt being eyed by the Mets as a potential late inning defensive replacement and the fact that he can play anywhere in the outfield only adds to his versatility.
This signing is another example of Mets’ GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s effort to strength not only the major league team, but rosters throughout the minor league system as well. The recent signings of Blanco and Rajai Davis exemplify this stance. It is clear the Van Wagenen feels the Mets lack depth. He has mentioned this in several of his press conferences. It is also clear, the he is well on his way to rectifying this problem.
