December 18, 200322 yr Twins agree to terms with catcher Blanco December 18, 2003 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins agreed Thursday to a one-year contract with former Atlanta catcher Henry Blanco, a deal that includes a team option for 2005. The Twins hope Blanco, who was the backup starter to Javy Lopez, can provide some depth at catcher in the departure of All-Star A.J. Pierzynski, who was traded to San Francisco last month. Blanco, 32, batted .199 with 13 RBIs and one home run in 55 games for the Braves last season. He became a free agent last month when he refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Richmond. ADVERTISEMENT He's currently batting .297 with 37 RBIs and nine homers in 44 games for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League. Blanco originally signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1989 and has spent nearly five season in the major leagues with Los Angeles, Colorado, Milwaukee and Atlanta. Also on Thursday, the Twins invited catcher Joe Mauer, the team's top draft pick in 2001, to spring training as one of 12 non-roster players. Mauer, a former Cretin-Derham Hall High School standout who's steadily improved in Minnesota's minor league organization, will have a chance to win Pierzynski's old spot. Other non-roster players who were invited to spring training were: catchers Chris Heintz, Brandon Marsters and Gabby Torres; infielders Jake Mauer, Alex Prieto and Luis Rodriguez; and pitchers Jess Crain, Seth Greisinger, Peter Munro, Jeromy Palki and Joe Roa.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.