Bomber Bites: Is Kyle Blanks A Fit For The Yankees?

Right-handed pop is a scarcity in the majors. Look around the league. The Yankees could certainly use some. Especially when that person can play first base and a little outfield. No I’m not talking about Alex Rodriguez. 

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Kyle Blanks was non-tendered by the Oakland A’s two nights ago at the tender deadline. The A’s have a glut of first baseman and outfielders which made Blanks expendable.

Blanks career OPS against left-handed pitching is .752, and in the past three seasons, it’s .852. He has a 108 OPS+ against left-handers in his career (anything below 100 is advantage pitcher)

Blanks has never gotten into more than 88 games which he did back in 2013 for the San Diego Padres.

The Yankees don’t really have a backup first baseman right now. Again, we don’t know what Alex Rodriguez is at this point or if he can even play anymore. Anything they get out of him would be gravy.

Blanks can be that right-handed bat against a tough left-handed pitcher. He could play the outfield and give Brett Gardner a day off. He can play first and give Mark Teixeira a blow. He’s not going to be a costly acquisition either in terms of dollars.

Yes the Yankees already have Chris Young on the bench for right-handed pop and the outfield, but his career OPS is .817 vs lefties. If Blanks plays first or DH’s and Young is in the outfield against a strong left-handed pitcher, it makes it even more attractive for the Yankees to acquire him.

Blanks could be an interesting buy-low option for the Yankees and could serve a real use to Joe Girardi. Let’s see if they get it done.