Padres trade Kyle Blanks to A's for two minor leaguers
Kyle Blanks can play both corner outfield spots and first base. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Padres traded left fielder/first baseman Kyle Blanks to the A's in return for two minor leaguers on Thursday, the team announced.
The A's will likely throw Blanks into the first base/designated hitter platoon they employ, which includes Brandon Moss and Alberto Callaspo. First baseman Daric Barton, who is hitting .158 this season, has been designated for assignment to make room for Blanks on the 25-man roster.
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In parts of six seasons with the Padres, the 6-foot-6, 265-pound Blanks hit .228 with a .310 on-base percentage, 28 home runs and 98 RBIs in 239 games. His best season came in 2009, his rookie year, when he hit .250 with 10 home runs and 22 RBIs in 54 games.
Once a top prospect for San Diego, the 27-year-old hit nine home runs in 27 games for Triple-A El Paso this season. He has 98 minor league home runs in 2,134 at-bats.
