"The Giants had obvious needs when the offseason began. They needed starters. They needed relievers. And they really needed an outfielder. San Francisco never filled the vacancy during the regular season after trading Mike Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline. The Giants cycled through numerous options in August and September, and the production from that group was underwhelming. There was a point in the winter when the Giants had 10 outfielders on the 40-man roster."
"Bader, a one-time Gold Glove Award winner, provides the Giants with the true defensive savant that they lacked last season in the outfield. Since 2017, no outfielder has accumulated more outs above average, a range-based defensive stat. That caliber of defender was needed after San Francisco's outfielders finished last in the majors in OAA and 28th in defensive runs saved. He's a very active thinker, and he is very self-confident, said manager Tony Vitello."
"Weeks before spring training, they signed center fielder Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million deal, then moved Jung Hoo Lee to right field. Bader isn't in the same class of free agent as Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, but he improves an outfield defense that was among the worst in the majors. And if Lee and Heliot Ramos can take leaps forward, this outfield could emerge as one of the better units in the National League."
The Giants entered the offseason needing starting pitchers, relievers, and an outfielder. San Francisco traded Mike Yastrzemski at the deadline and did not fill the outfield vacancy during the regular season. The team cycled through multiple outfield options in August and September with underwhelming production and briefly carried ten outfielders on the 40-man roster. Weeks before spring training the Giants signed center fielder Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million deal and moved Jung Hoo Lee to right field. Bader is a former Gold Glove winner and leads since 2017 in outs above average. If Lee and Heliot Ramos improve, the outfield defense could become a National League strength.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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