SAN FRANCISCO - Gregor Blanco had a fascinating Giants career. Only once did he start more than 100 regular season games, mostly serving as a fourth outfielder. And yet, in 2012 and 2014, Blanco was on the field at the start of every postseason game.
The Melky Cabrera suspension made Blanco the starter in left field in 2012. Two years later, an injury to Angel Pagan put Blanco in the lineup in center field. He will be invited to World Series reunions for decades to come, and when he shows up, he can do so knowing he was a big contributor to two title teams.
Blanco's final Even Year with the Giants ended in a far different way. He probably did not get the send-off he deserved, with the final week dominated by the firing of a general manager and the celebration of fellow outfielder Hunter Pence. Here, we'll look back at the highs and lows of Blanco's 2018 season ...
What Went Right
Coming off of a quiet season in Arizona, Blanco was still looking for an opportunity as spring training approached. So consider it a huge positive that he - for the second time - made the Giants opening day roster as a non-roster invitee. On top of that, he made it back at the end of August for one last run at AT&T Park, and he had a smile on his face the entire time.
Blanco's single off Jordan Hicks on Sept. 21 came on a 102.4 mph sinker. In the Statcast era, that's the fastest pitch a Giant has turned into a base hit.
What Went Wrong
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Blanco had a .242/.289/.350 slash line going when he was designated for assignment on June 2. He cleared waivers and spent most of the next three months in Triple-A. For the season, Blanco hit .217/.262/.317.
If he was hoping September would boost his 2019 job chances, he came up short. Blanco posted a .453 OPS in his final month with the Giants. Blanco has three consecutive seasons with an OPS+ under 80, and he's probably past the point where his glove and speed will allow that offensive production to stay on a roster.
Contract Status
Blanco was on a one-year, $1 million deal signed in late January. He will again head into free agency.
The Future
Blanco turns 35 this offseason and just spent most of his season in Triple-A. He has expressed a desire to continue playing, but also knows 2018 might have been his last shot. It would not be a surprise to see Blanco at Scottsdale Stadium next spring, but he won't be there as a player.
Blanco has talked about getting into coaching and manager Bruce Bochy gave a long, passionate answer when asked about the possibility late in the year. Bochy noted that Blanco is passionate, positive, knows many different parts of the game, and has already helped others - most notably Brandon Crawford - make swing adjustments. "He would make an outstanding coach," Bochy said.
The Giants keep their popular players involved in the organization. Blanco would certainly be welcomed as a spring instructor if he cannot find a playing job, with the possibility for more responsibility down the road.
