Should Brewers look into Blalock?

Who is going to be the Brewers starting 3B for 2010?  Did Casey McGehee do enough last season to earn the job or is Mat Gamel going to get a long look at the hot corner.  McGehee made the most of his opportunity in 2009.  Does the Brewers front office view him as the best option at the hot corner?  Mat Gamel was brought up and left to rot on the bench last season.  He didn’t get to see much of the field during his time with the Crew.  I believe it’s because of his defensive shortcomings.  Gamel shouldn’t be a platoon player next season.  If he’s not ready to play every day in the major leagues, then leave him down in Nashville until the problems are rectified.  Gamel’s .211 batting average in the Venezuelan league hasn’t helped his case.     

Super utility man Craig Counsell saw extensive action at 2nd and 3rd last season.  Looking at how the bench may shakeup I see a glaring weakness of a power bat that can play the corner infield spots.  Prince Fielder is an MVP candidate and you can’t replace his bat in the lineup.  I don’t believe in playing guys every day.  Therefore, I propose looking into former All-Star Game MVP Hank Blalock.  His career has never fully taken off due to injuries.  Last season he hit 25 bombs with the Texas Rangers seeing time as a DH, 3B, and 1B.  He has four seasons of 25 homers or more and is a .269 hitter.    

I would investigate if he’d be capable of playing a little 3B as part of a semi-platoon with McGehee or at 1B to give Fielder a day off once in a while.  Power is sorely missing off the Brewers bench.  He may still view himself as a starting caliber player, but there comes a time when you just have to take the best offer.  The Pirates have already expressed interest in Blalock, but maybe he’d be willing to come to the Brew City to play for a better team.

Tags: Brewers, Hank Blalock