The Mets signed Gregor Blanco back on 12/21 and it was a clear sign that the Mets were not going to hobble a major league roster together but they were going to methodically build a minor league system with depth to pull from when the team needs it. There have a been a several moments over the last couple of years where the Mets have needed an outfielder, but had no one to turn too, so any option was pulled out of Las Vegas to fill in.
Gregor Blanco is a fine option for the Mets to use if injuries rapt the major league squad. Before we go through his last couple of seasons, let’s take a look at his journey.
He was signed by the Braves in 2000 by the Braves and made his debut with the team. This is probably why his name is familiar with Mets fans, we have faced Blanco a lot. He was traded to the Royals in 2010 for Rick Ankiel and Farnsworth. The next season he was traded to the Nationals and was granted free agency. He was an early signing in the 2011 off-season and signed a long term deal with the Giants and stayed in SF for 2016. This is the mental image most of us now have of Blanco. He has bounced between the Diamondbacks and Giants since then.
His best two seasons were between 2014 and 2015 where he hit .265/.341/.350 followed by .260/.333/.374 posting a 98 DRC+ followed by a 103 DRC+. These are his two best seasons for Blanco, who has averaged a DRC+ of 85. (For comparison, this would make him a major league starter for the Baltimore Orioles right now, but he he’s here on a minor league deal).
2018: 203 PA, 2 HR, .217/.262/.317, 60 DRC+
Career: .255/.338/.348, 85 DRC+
A lot is going to have to happen for Blanco to break into the roster and to Queens by the end of camp. His main competition from NRI’s will be Rajai Davis who was a similar signing for the Mets. We should get a long look at Blanco this spring.
