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After the surprise Josh Donaldson trade in Oakland, Kyle Blanks was designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics. While he looks to be a nice piece for several teams, the Milwaukee Brewers need to work out a deal to bring Blanks to Miller Park.
No Brewers fan wants to have another platoon, but the simple fact is that if they want to beat left-handed pitching with regularity, they are going to need one. The reason that they would struggle against them is that Adam Lind and Scooter Gennett cannot hit lefties. In almost 900 career at-bats, Lind has just a .212 average against them, while Gennett has a .183 average against them in just over 80 at-bats. These numbers would not bode well for the Brewers against even the most mediocre southpaw starter.
By getting Blanks, they would not only have an affordable bat who can platoon at first base, but one who can hit lefties well. Last season, in limited time, Blanks batted .300 against lefties. He finished the year with a .333 batting average and a .935 OPS in Oakland.
Once viewed as a top-50 MLB prospect, the biggest issue that Blanks has dealt with in his career is his ability to stay on the field. Injuries have allowed him to average only 52 games each season in his five-year career. Not being counted on to start every game and play everyday would help to give him rest and keep him fresh throughout the 162-game schedule.
The Brewers need to find something to do if they are going to beat lefties. While platoons are never ideal, adding the slugging Blanks to the lineup would help them to not skip a beat no matter who is on the hill.
Pete Schwichtenberg is a Milwaukee Brewers writer for Rantsports. Follow @schwick26_pete, Like him on Facebook, or Add him to your Google Network.
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