Does Andres Blanco have a future in the MLB?

by Musicdude10 on Jun 4, 2009 3:14 AM CDT Comment 31 comments

Ok before you all jump down my throat, I KNOW he's had a very small sample size this year. He has played before with the Royals however.

That being said, the guy is 25, right around the time where he should be coming into his own, when the team can make a decision on him. Blanco isn't expected to be Hanley Ramirez, but it's possible he could be better than Theriot or Fontenot.

His stats in the MLB with the Cubs and Royals aren't terribly impressive, but he can hit MLB pitching and has a small amount of pop. He hit above the mendoza line the three times he appeared for the Royals, ever year from ages 20-22. In the minors, he hasn't hit very well until this year, hovering around .250. He was hitting an impressive .316 and last year he hit in the .280's. He doesn't have a ton of speed though, but there's some. He's not Daryle Ward on the basepaths, netting stolen bases in the teens every year, which is about what Theriot does. He only has one steal in the majors out of five attempts. In the minors, his SB percentage is around 75%.

With the Royals, he did have more than a cup of coffee, which is probably all he will get in Chicago unless we let go of Freel (which is the best move) or send Scales back down (eh, verdict is still out on him in my eyes). I think Miles is here to stay because of the moeny we owe him and he's a switch hitter. That being said, Andres has a better glove than Miles from what I've seen. He can field SS and 2B, which is what Miles does. I've heard people say he can play third, but I don't think he can. He's only played one game there, in the minors, but it was this year. And if you're playing Miles it's for his defense in the late innings (which Blanco is better at) or a spot start for rest (which you might as well use Blanco for so he can develop). I don't think you'd expect him to hit 50 home runs or he'd be starting.

So why not keep him? If you can get rid of Miles somehow, he might be worth it. But it seems to me like it's not smart to carry around Miles, Scales, and Blanco. And possibly Freel. So what do you do as Hendry/Lou? I like this kid, seems to fit the scrappy mold that people like, and more importantly Lou likes. I think he's worth a shot. I like the Scales story, but if there's one guy who you can send back down it's him. However, it could hurt Blanco by not getting him in every day action and at bats. Your thoughts?

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Blanco

Blanco could fill a role on a team as the 2nd utility infielder as far as being a starter? Probably never.

Could he do the Miles job for alot less money? Probably.

by jeff_pico on Jun 4, 2009 4:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't see it.

You have to hit something, and I can’t see Blanco hitting over .225 with zero power.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jun 4, 2009 6:47 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He has as much future as numerous other light-hitting middle infielders

I don’t see him ever as a starter. There are numerous players like him that hang on bouncing between major league teams and AAA. It does raise the obvious question though about why Hendry decided he had to have Aaron Miles for 2 years when he could have gotten a Blanco, Scales, Cintron, Andino type for a lot cheaper and a 1 year deal.

by rlpete on Jun 4, 2009 8:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is another guy who can do what Miles does

But we needed to give Miles 5 million.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 4, 2009 8:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Miles was a terrible acquisition...

Either Hendry expected more offense and more defensive versatility than Miles can realistically provide, or they simply overpaid for the RH insurance policy for Fontenot at 2B.

Either way, it was a bad decision.

by SouthernCub on Jun 4, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like a poor man's Augie Ojeda to me

You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little messed up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

by BLou on Jun 4, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fairly different players...

Ojeda was/is a scrapper, plain and simple. Blanco is a pure glove man. He’s more accurately a poor man’s Cesar Izturis (the healthier version of Izturis – not the diminished fat version that we knew as a Cub).

by SouthernCub on Jun 4, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

I wouldn’t get terribly caught up in Blanco because he won’t be up here too long. I personally believe that Jim Hendry must actively being scouring the 4 corners of the earth right now for a viable infielder. Something tells me Bobby Crosby is going to be the next name to audition in Chicago.

by BLou on Jun 4, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not getting caught up in Blanco...

I know he’s nothing more than a defensive substitute. I was just pointing out what he is compared to Ojeda.

I don’t see Crosby joining the Cubs. Too expensive, and he’s pretty bad. Sanchez and Wilson are also too expensive, and Wilson can’t hit either.

I can see Betemit being acquired because he’s cheap. That’d move Fontenot back to 2B. It’s not ideal, but it makes more sense than overpaying for crap in Crosby or a no-hit glove in Wilson.

Sanchez and Betemit are the only guys who make sense to me, and Sanchez only if the money and prospects are available (which I doubt).

by SouthernCub on Jun 4, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby would come for the league minimum with Oakland paying the remaining freight

But yes, I would prefer Wilson Betemit at this point. I also have to admit that I maintain a distinctly pessimistic view of the 2009 Chicago Cubs being able to make the playoffs. There is just too much wrong with this ballclub even in light of the fact that the NL Central is far from overwhelming. So in affect picking up Betemit is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic or putting a new band-aid on a wound that needs major surgery.

by BLou on Jun 4, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possible that Oakland would pay...

although that’s DEFINITELY not their M.O. Remember – that’s a team whose ownership refuses to let the team spend big money. I can’t see them being psyched to pay Crosby just to leave. That’s the type of thing a big market team does.

I’m not sure if we can win or not. If Soto, Fontenot, and Bradley join Lee in re-emerging as major league hitters and the bullpen settles into mediocrity, we can make up the ground (especially once/if Ramirez returns). Those are big “ifs” of course – Soto looks like a high-OBP slap hitter, meaning a .700 OPS guy. And Bradley has just not been healthy. Fontenot looks like he might be returning to okay-ness (.750 OPS the last week), but it’s way too early to tell.

But the thing with Betemit is that it’s a no-cost move. Much like Edmonds last year, if you can get a .750+ OPS guy to fill in at 3B and move Fontenot back to second for essentially nothing in return, you do it. It would be a big upgrade in the batting order – not rearranging the deck chairs.

by SouthernCub on Jun 4, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby was released by Oakland

by BLou on Jun 4, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really? When did that happen?

He started for the A’s just yesterday.

Regardless – even if he has been released, he’s not any upgrade over what we have now.

by SouthernCub on Jun 4, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As far as I can tell, Crosby has not been released...

If you can point me to where he was released, that’d be great.

by SouthernCub on Jun 4, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My mistake

He was put on waivers this spring though.

by BLou on Jun 4, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your infatuation with chronically hurt players is getting comical.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 4, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

the only way they get to be chronically hurt is because they’re playing. Not like these johnny-come-lately minor-leaguers!

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 4, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but the johnny-come-lately minor-leaguers

dont play without the chonically injured

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 4, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

let's try to keep

reason and logic out of this, please…

by drewishdrewid on Jun 4, 2009 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

its the circle of life, eh?

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 4, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just saying

consider the source.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 4, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SWL is a source?

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 4, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no the source above that.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 5, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and you took me serious

asking is SWL is a source?

Drew, you know better hombre

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 5, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you think Blanco will succeed but not Wells?

Get Peavy already! I want my #44 jersey!

by Cub Style on Jun 4, 2009 2:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw Blanco everyday in Des Moines...

He can play. I would compare his skill set to that of Luis Castillo. I know it’s Triple A, but the guy goes 2-4 everynight. He can run, he catches the ball, he’s a switch hitter, I’ve even seen him play outfield. The guy has a future.

by SoCal19 on Jun 4, 2009 4:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just watching him play the limited number of times so far....

I think he’s hands down the best defensive middle infielder we have on the team. He should be kept on the roster for that reason alone.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 4, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not trying to cause an argument but what future?

You can’t compare him to Castillo. By the time Castillo was the age of Blanco, Castillo already had 2 .300+ seasons.

by rlpete on Jun 4, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heavens to mergatroid

You are comparing Andres Blanco to Luis Castillo?? Good grief. The same Blanco who Kansas City dumped because he cannot hit yet you are seduced by his ability to routinenly go 2-4 against craptacular journeyman pitchers who dominate the Triple A scene.

by BLou on Jun 4, 2009 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

simple.

no.

by TJ3117 on Jun 4, 2009 10:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Depends on what you mean by "a future"

If you mean a career as a defensive backup middle infielder, then I say yes. The guy can flat out pick it.

If you mean as an MLB regular, I’d say doubtful. The guy just doesn’t seem to bring much of anything with the bat.

If you mean as a Cub, I’d say unlikely. Unfortunately for him, the Cubs are paying Aaron Miles too much money, which will make it tough to get rid of him. And carrying 2 no-hit middle infield backups is tough to do.

In an ideal world, I’d love to have a guy like Blanco as the 25th man to fill in at 2B/SS, pinch run if necessary, and be a defensive sub late in games. But as a more regular player, I think his bat becomes a liability. And as long as this team is paying Aaron Miles to be a platoon 2B and backup SS, we can’t afford to have two terrible bats on the bench.

by SouthernCub on Jun 7, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs