John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that free agent Kyle Blanks is close to finalizing a minor league contract with the Giants.
The 6-foot-6 Blanks has some pop in his bat, especially against left-handed pitching, but he simply hasn’t been able to stay on the field. The 29-year-old has been limited to just 44 games in the majors over the past two seasons due to calf and Achilles injuries. He underwent surgery in September for a chronic condition in his right foot and was expected to have surgery on his left foot in November. He opted for free agency after being outrighted off the Rangers’ 40-man roster last month.
Shea writes that Blanks has a “good chance” to make the Giants out of spring training, where he’d presumably function as a right-handed bat off the bench and backup first baseman. He also has experience in the outfield, but the Giants would likely try to limit his exposure there for obvious reasons.
