The Texas Rangers have added some depth at first base and in the corner outfield positions with one player. NBC Sports Hardball Talk's Aaron Gleeman reported that the Rangers have signed 1B/OF Kyle Blanks to a Minor-League contract for 2015.
Blanks, a former 42nd-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres, spent most of the 2014 season with the Triple-A affiliates of the Padres and Oakland Athletics. In Triple-A, he compiled totals of .298/.402/.635 with 10 HR and 23 RBI in 34 games. He had success in limited time with both the Padres and Athletics, hitting .309/.409/.436 with 2 HR and 7 RBI in 28 games. Unfortunately, he went down for the season on June 23 due to a partially-torn left calf.
Oakland non-tendered Banks earlier in the offseason, allowing him to become a costless agent.
If Prince Fielder is healthy and able to hit like he always has before his 2014 season-ending injury, then Blanks may not see much time at first base if/when he makes the 25-man roster. He can play both left and right fields, though, so that could make him a valuable fourth or fifth outfielder, defensive replacement, or pinch hitter.
In parts of six seasons with San Diego and Oakland, Blanks has career totals of .234/.319/.407 with 30 HR and 105 RBI in 760 at bats, which is just a little more than a full season's worth. One negative is his propensity to strike out (.336 percentage), but if he can drive the ball like his numbers and promise show, then the Rangers can forgive that high strikeout total.