Diamondbacks - Signed Blanco

Arizona Diamondbacks - Signed C Henry Blanco to a $1.2 million contract with a 2013 mutual option for $1.24 million.

I’m not sure that the re-signing of a 40 year old backup catcher to a
one year deal merits comment. In general that is.

First of all, Blanco played pretty well last year (.250/.330/.540—
yes, Voros’ Law applies of course. We are talking 112 plate
appearances) and he’s put up an 89 OPS+ over his last 616 plate
appearances—and was very good against the running game (46% caught
stealing). I don’t expect ZiPS to be all that impressed with his bat
(and I know Met fans are not either), but he does rate to hit like a
decent backup catcher and he’s still getting it done defensively.

But what drew me to make this comment was the saga of his last mutual
option. He opted out of a $1.15 million contract. Not in search of
riches (I thought when I saw the report that he had declined the
option that he was going to try to parlay his decent year into one
last decent payday but his plans were seemingly far more modest), but
to secure another $50,000 and a mutual option for next year (which
won’t be worth anything if he doesn’t play fairly well). We’re kind of
jaded about the sums being thrown around these days (reporting
salaries in the $$.$$$ million format helps this along. I had to think
for a moment to work out how much extra Blanco made by opting out.)
but I’m old enough to recall protracted negotiations of far smaller
amounts. And when you think about it, a $50K raise in an obviously
pain free negotiation is no small deal.

All in all, a good signing for both sides. I wouldn’t want to play
Blanco on a regular basis, but Miguel Montero’s backup is never going
to play a lot.