The Diamondbacks spent much of the offseason looking for a left-handed bat and hoping to add on-base ability. They might have addressed both needs with this week’s signing of veteran outfielder Gregor Blanco to a minor-league contract.
Blanco, 33, will earn $1 million if he makes the big-league roster and has a chance to earn up to $3.55 million based on playing-time incentives.
He’s coming off a down year – he hit just .224 with a .620 OPS in 2016 after averaging .264 with a .710 OPS over the previous four seasons – but the Diamondbacks are hoping he’ll be able to provide the sort of veteran depth they lack.