Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Gallen5862 · 06-30-2010, 01:04 PM

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 29 at 10:02pm CST]
The Rays designated Hank Blalock for assignment, according to the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter). Gabe Kapler returns from the disabled list tomorrow, so the Rays can afford to part with Blalock. They promoted him in mid-May, just as Pat Burrell's disappointing stint in Tampa was coming to an end. But after tearing through Triple A pitching early on in the season, Blalock hit just one homer and posted a .254/.319/.349 line in the majors.

Blalock, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Rays in March. He makes $925K plus incentives, but even at that salary, it would be a surprise to see a team claim him. Instead, Blalock could be traded or released within the next ten days.

The White Sox have been relying on Mark Kotsay to DH and could use depth at third. Blalock could be a consideration, but he may not be the answer since he has hit righties better than lefties in his career, much like Kotsay. The Twins could look to improve over Danny Valencia and the Angels could use corner infielders, but there's no guarantee either team believes in Blalock's bat or his ability to defend. Blalock was mostly a DH for the Rays, though he did appear at first, third and in right.

Gallen5862 · 06-30-2010, 01:05 PM

Should the Reds consider claiming Blalock? Would he help the Bench?

savafan · 06-30-2010, 01:23 PM

Miguel Cairo has outplayed him this year.

Ghosts of 1990 · 07-01-2010, 11:32 AM

Can only play 1B and 3B. Really a liability at 3B at this point in his career.

His best years are long behind him.

savafan · 07-09-2010, 01:53 PM

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/0...medium=twitter

Blalock's been released.

Captain Hook · 07-09-2010, 03:00 PM

Probably not going to be the popular opinion here but I'd like to see the Reds go after Blalock.Rolen has quickly become one of my favorite Reds but I'm still a bit worried that injuries could be an issue at some point this year.I'd really like Blalock as a backup plan even if his defense is terrible.He would be much better then any other options the Reds currently have if Rolen had to miss some time.He'd also be a decent guy to fill in for Votto and a nice PH bat off the bench in games he doesn't start.He'd be a clear upgrade over Cairo imo.

reds1869 · 07-09-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Hook

Probably not going to be the popular opinion here but I'd like to see the Reds go after Blalock.Rolen has quickly become one of my favorite Reds but I'm still a bit worried that injuries could be an issue at some point this year.I'd really like Blalock as a backup plan even if his defense is terrible.He would be much better then any other options the Reds currently have if Rolen had to miss some time.He'd also be a decent guy to fill in for Votto and a nice PH bat off the bench in games he doesn't start.He'd be a clear upgrade over Cairo imo.

I'm with you. He would be a nice insurance plan.

06-30-2010, 01:04 PM	#1
Gallen5862 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wilmington,NC Posts: 5,453	Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 29 at 10:02pm CST] The Rays designated Hank Blalock for assignment, according to the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter). Gabe Kapler returns from the disabled list tomorrow, so the Rays can afford to part with Blalock. They promoted him in mid-May, just as Pat Burrell's disappointing stint in Tampa was coming to an end. But after tearing through Triple A pitching early on in the season, Blalock hit just one homer and posted a .254/.319/.349 line in the majors. Blalock, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Rays in March. He makes $925K plus incentives, but even at that salary, it would be a surprise to see a team claim him. Instead, Blalock could be traded or released within the next ten days. The White Sox have been relying on Mark Kotsay to DH and could use depth at third. Blalock could be a consideration, but he may not be the answer since he has hit righties better than lefties in his career, much like Kotsay. The Twins could look to improve over Danny Valencia and the Angels could use corner infielders, but there's no guarantee either team believes in Blalock's bat or his ability to defend. Blalock was mostly a DH for the Rays, though he did appear at first, third and in right.

06-30-2010, 01:05 PM	#2
Gallen5862 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wilmington,NC Posts: 5,453	Re: Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment Should the Reds consider claiming Blalock? Would he help the Bench?

06-30-2010, 01:23 PM	#3
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,486	Re: Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment Miguel Cairo has outplayed him this year. __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

07-01-2010, 11:32 AM	#4
Ghosts of 1990 The Future is Now Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 3,899	Re: Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment Can only play 1B and 3B. Really a liability at 3B at this point in his career. His best years are long behind him. __________________ 2009 Attendance Record: 3-5 2010 Attendance Record: 2-9 2011 Attendance Record: 3-4 2012 Attendance Record: 3-4 2013 Attendance Record: 5-1

07-09-2010, 01:53 PM	#5
savafan Maple SERP Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 17,486	Re: Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/0...medium=twitter Blalock's been released. __________________ This is the Cal Ripkin Jr. of typos. If you ask me to join your fantasy baseball league and I select Legolas in the first round, don't be angry at me. It's not my fault I've read up on the players and you haven't.

07-09-2010, 03:00 PM	#6
Captain Hook Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: columbus,ohio Posts: 2,039	Re: Rays Designate Hank Blalock For Assignment Probably not going to be the popular opinion here but I'd like to see the Reds go after Blalock.Rolen has quickly become one of my favorite Reds but I'm still a bit worried that injuries could be an issue at some point this year.I'd really like Blalock as a backup plan even if his defense is terrible.He would be much better then any other options the Reds currently have if Rolen had to miss some time.He'd also be a decent guy to fill in for Votto and a nice PH bat off the bench in games he doesn't start.He'd be a clear upgrade over Cairo imo.

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