Report: The Rays Have an Interest in Hank Blalock
by FreeZorilla on Feb 22, 2010 4:39 PM EST
Email
Print
Just as it seems Pat Burrell is in the clear for the 2010 designated hitter role, Jon Heyman tweets:
@SI_JonHeyman #marlins, #raysthought to have interest in hank blalock
Blalock is a 29-year-old slugging corner infielder who has been with the Rangers since 2002. Blalock belted 29 home runs in 2009 splitting time between first base and serving as the designated hitter. For his career, Blalock has posted a slash line (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) of .269/.277/.459. Blalock doesn't come without a few warning signs. His plate discipline has been a mess the past few years with his in-zone and out-of zone swings going in opposite directions. In 2009, he posted his second season swinging at north of 30% of pitches outside the zone (O-Swing%). Not surprisingly his walk percentage dropped to a career low 5.3%. In the past he played third base where his career UZR/150 innings is -2.6. In a sample of less than 1000 innings at first base, Blalock measures -2.7.
Blalock also presents a myriad of injury concerns. In 2007 Blalock was diagnosed with Thoracic outlet syndrome which according to the medical journal Wikipedia is:
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) consists of a group of distinct disorders involving compression at the superior thoracic outlet[1] that affect the brachial plexus (nerves that pass into the arms from the neck), and/or the subclavian artery and vein (blood vessels that pass between the chest and upper extremity).
This condition was a big factor in the Rangers moving Blalock over to first base. Hamstring issues also caused Blalock to miss some time in 2009.
The good news is that he can be an effective platoon option. His career OPS against right-handed pitching is .846 versus just .657 against lefties. His poor discipline precludes him from being an optimal everyday first-baseman but a platoon with Willy Aybar down the road could work at the right price. In the meantime he could potentially be another relatively cheap option for Pat Burrell insurance.
26 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Where have we had success with an unwanted LH 1B represented by Boras on a minor-league deal before?
Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla
Rays just going down the list of LH DH types: Damon, Thome, Branyan, now Blalock.
Luckily the risk on Blalock wouldn’t cost more than a minor lg deal. On the surface it fall in line with the Pena, Hinske signings. Low risk/potential reward, but Pena/Hinske aren’t the norms and didn’t have as many injury questions.
If only Jonny Gomes was left-handed…
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Feb 22, 2010 4:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
In an attempt to dig up the family dog from the back yard
i’ll post an RJ tweet as a comment,,
Blalock hits righties well (career .362 wOBA) but nada versus lefties. Also, that’s without park adjustments.
http://citrusjuicing.com/ An SRQ focused-Tampa Bay area sports blog
by CubFanRaysaddict on Feb 22, 2010 4:44 PM EST reply actions
I like it
I like looking for more players. I think if we are able to sign Blalock for cheap, then why not? he used to be a good player. He can give some time in at 1st and if Pena leaves after this year we can have him for a year to try and get him playing better and fill in then. As long as we can sign him cheap, I am all for adding Blalock.
Appearently, we are only battling the Marlins
so if we truly want him, he’s ours.
Fire and Ice: Rafael Soriano and J.P Howell.......with their side kick Grant the aussie Balfour!
Funny, they were talking about Blalock on Chicago sports radio this morning.
Claiming the White Sox were interested. I still don’t understand why they didn’t just resign Thome, but oh well.
Oh, and I think he'd be a good fit for the Rays
1B/DH is a little thin in the org right now, so even if he ends up in Durham he’d be nice to have around just in case.
by ChiBurbRaysFan on Feb 22, 2010 5:06 PM EST up reply actions
Only problem I see with citing his career lefty/righty splits
is that those factor in the years before injuries killed his career.
Small sample size, but he OPS’ed .765 against righties last year, and oddly enough, he was awful in Arlington last year (.674 OPS).
I like this as the minor league deal it probably would be
Keeps S-Rod on the roster and provides a big insurance if Burrell goes in the tank
I've liked him since reading The Book's chapter on platoon splits
As others have mentioned, however, if his condition causes him to be a different player than he once was then he might not ever regain that stroke. As is, he would be an excellent candidate for some ST swings and let our evaluators decide if he has a chance to help the team at sometime this year.
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.
by Andy Hellicksonstine on Feb 22, 2010 5:41 PM EST reply actions
is his condition really crippling?
it doesn’t sound so bad to me, and its not like he’s an old dude. he’s 29.
I might be the only one thinking this
but with all the names that keep popping up as bench guys (Branyan, Damon, Blalock) why does it seem like Willy Aybar’s days here might be over if AF can find a trade partner during ST.
Aybar's splits are better against lefties. The recent rumors have settled around guys who hit RHP well.
www.draysbay.com, www.beyondtheboxscore.com, Twitter @trancel
by Tommy Rancel on Feb 22, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
It's amazing how the FA markets are the last 2-3 years
It’s like a wasteland for the majority of players, and I can’t imagine next year’s being even remotely decent with the wave of high-end FA talent. Those 1yr/MiL no risk deals are all that are left.
PIZZA?!?
i'm all for bringing in Hank Blalock!
he substituted well for Chris Davis while he was in OK City from july to august. i would rank his bat somewhere between Willy Aybar and (golden glover) Carlos Pena. are there better options available? possibly, but Hank has a high upside. i’d take Hank over Pat Burrell anyday. especially if he’s cheap. i think he needs to prove his worth, so a 1yr, cheap contract would be a good idea.
by LuvSummerLuvBaseball on Feb 22, 2010 10:22 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Please read our Community Guidelines.
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
DRB Suggestion Box
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
