Beloved ex-SF Giants outfielder may have played a role in team landing Luis Arraez

The SF Giants signed Luis Arraez to be their second baseman recently. It turns out that a former Giants outfielder may have played a role in swaying Arraez to join the Giants.

Arraez said that he spoke with former Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco about his time in San Francisco and Blanco gave a glowing endorsement. The fellow Venezuelan may have given Arraez, who also said he is close with ex-Giant Pablo Sandoval, that extra push to sign with the Giants.

Gregor Blanco may have played role in swaying Luis Arraez to join SF Giants

Blanco was the definition of a Great Giant during the 2012 and 2014 championship runs which is why he is beloved by so many fans. He was a speedy outfielder who could play all three outfield positions and did all the little things right. His most memorable moment as a Giant came in 2012 when he made a heroic diving catch to preserve Matt Cain's perfect game.

He stepped up that year after Melky Cabrera got suspended and was solid enough in left field to help the team secure a title.

Then in 2014 he had to fill in for an injured Angel Pagan and play center field. He had a walk-off sacrifice bunt thanks to a wild throw from St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Randy Choate in the NLCS.

Of course, he had a moment many Giants fans would prefer to forget in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series when he misplayed a ball that went to the wall and gave every Giants fan a heart attack. Thankfully Madison Bumgarner got Salvador Perez out so we don't have to worry or have nightmares about that moment for the rest of our lives.

Blanco's endorsement was not the only reason Arraez signed with the Giants. He clearly wanted a chance to play second base and the Giants were willing to grant him that opportunity even though his defense is a big question mark. The Giants do have a secret weapon to help get Arraez up to speed defensively, though.

Arraez definitely seems to be excited for his chance with San Francisco. He was sporting a Juan Marichal jersey before the signing was even official so he has to be itching to prove that he can be an All-Star second baseman again.

The Giants could certainly use his high contact rate in the lineup since a lot of the team's hitters are not especially skilled at putting the ball in play to put pressure on the defense.

It's neat that Blanco spoke highly of San Francisco to Arraez and the two may reunite soon as Blanco is expected to be a guest instructor in camp.