News
Giles, Blanco file for free agency
Outfielder's Padres tenure could be over; catcher may re-sign
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
11/05/09 7:38 PM EST
SAN DIEGO -- The approach of open free agency serves as a reminder that outfielder Brian Giles' seven-year tenure with the Padres may have reached its end. Giles and catcher Henry Blanco filed for free agency Thursday as the 15-day filing period began. They were the only Padres eligible to enter the market. Given the Padres' efforts to rebuild their roster with younger players, the 38-year-old Giles appears unlikely to fit with the club. Giles has produced consistently in 14 Major League seasons, compiling a .291 average with 287 home runs, 1,078 RBIs, a .400 on-base percentage and a .502 slugging percentage. But a right knee injury and the Padres' preference for fresh faces limited Giles to 61 games this year. He hit .191 with two home runs and 23 RBIs. Giles, who grew up in the San Diego area, was traded from Pittsburgh to the Padres on Aug. 26, 2003, for outfielder Jason Bay, left-hander Oliver Perez and a player to be named, who turned out to be Cory Stewart. Giles twice batted higher than .300 with the Padres and finished ninth in National League Most Valuable Player balloting in 2005, when he hit .301 with a .423 on-base percentage. The latter figure was fueled by a league-high 119 walks. Blanco, 38, has established himself as one of the best backup catchers in the Major Leagues while playing for seven different teams in 12 years. He hit .235 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 67 games this year and might be re-signed to complement 26-year-old Nick Hundley, who just finished his first full Major League season.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
