In a somewhat surprising move, the Giants announced last week that they have elected to decline their club option on incumbent left fielder Nori Aoki. They also declined their $8 million club option on Marlon Byrd, though that move was expected.
The Giants had signed Nori Aoki before the 2015 season to a one year deal for $4.7 million with a club option for a second year at $5.5 million. It was termed a steal as Aoki had been largely productive in his career, and was off to a great start with the Giants. Unfortunately Aoki sustained two freak injuries that hindered his season, one coming off a beaning that resulted in a fractured fibula, and after returning a few months later, was beaned in the head that resulted in a concussion.
The concussion symptoms continued to hinder Aoki and his season was over prematurely. Aoki finished his 2015 campaign with a solid .287/.353/.380 with five home runs and 26 runs driven over just 392 plate appearances.
At $5.5 million, it seemed like a sure bet the Giants would pickup his option given alternative options were going to be pricier in terms of dollars on the free agent market or prospects via trade.
However, it seems the Giants are willing to take a risk and make a gamble. With both Aoki and Byrd off the board, barring a reunion at a lesser salary, let’s take a look at potential fits the Giants may look at to fill their void in left field.
1.) Jarret Parker/ Mac Williamson: The rookie duo got a good look late in the season. Parker is the more polished hitter, and he showed his power by knocking out six home runs in 54 plate appearances, three of those coming in one game against the Oakland Athletics.
Parker is prone to the strikeout, as evidenced by his 21 k’s in the big leagues in 2015. His minor league track record also shows that Parker has struck over 100 times in every level, so the Giants may be weary of that. Still, Parker offers a cheap option in left should the Giants feel they need to need to allocate all their resources towards a top tier starting pitcher.
Williamson, on the other hand, showed very little in his brief stint at the big league level, but the Giants remain high on him and will likely keep him in AA or AAA to play everyday and polish his hitting a bit more.
2.) Jason Heyward: Sure, everyone wants Heyward. He’ll be 27 when opening day comes around, and his athletic ability is off the charts. However, he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in terms of being an all around five-tool player. Many teams will be vying for his services to certain degrees. Some teams will bet on him breaking out during his “prime” years and offer him 10 year contracts. Some teams may be willing to pay him a higher annual salary over a shorter period of time such as five to seven years.
Reports have indicated that Heyward may look for an opt out clause after a certain number of years. Meaning he can sign a 10 year pact with a club but after year four, when he is 30, can opt out in hopes for a larger contract. Nonetheless, teams will have to pay over $25 million per year, and given the Giants focus on pitching, Heyward may prove to be too pricey for their liking.
3.) Alex Gordon: He makes a lot of sense and is one of the best defensive left fielders in all of baseball. The Royals just won the World Series and Gordon is one of their faces of the franchise. That said, the Royals will do whatever it takes to retain their star left fielder.
If Gordon is indeed interested in a new opportunity, though there have been no indications that he is interested in doing so, the Giants absolutely need to check in. Gordon’s ability to get on base, where he posted a .377 OBP last year bodes well with the Giants mentality of “keeping the line moving.” Additionally, Gordon possess strong all around ability with his power, hitting for average and a bit of power. That, packaged with his excellent defense, should be enough to grab the interest of the Giants front office.
When I first brought Gordon’s name up a few weeks ago, I pegged a $60 million as feasible. However, reports of late are indicating it may take a contract of close to $100 million to lure in the former Royal. If so, then the Giants will likely not enter the bidding, especially given Gordon will be 32 come opening day.
4.) Ben Zobrist: He joined Gordon in this year’s World Series celebrations after being traded over to the Kansas City Royals from the Oakland Athletics in July. Zobrist has always been a highly sought after talent, mainly due to title of super utility player. Though he is not a flashy player like a Heyward or Yoenis Cespedes, Zobrist just does everything right. He fits the mold of being a gritty gamer who does the small things right in order to win a baseball game.
Zobrist has proven to be valuable where ever he goes, and while he may not be the same player he once was three or four years ago, there will still be a dozen teams vying for his services given his ability to play multiple positions.
The Giants may be fearing that Joe Panik’s back will continue to hinder him, and may be interested in signing Zobrist to handle left field and fill in at second base in the case Panik is not ready to go or has setbacks.
Given there will be a dozen teams or at least close to a dozen teams interested in Zobrist, he may too be out of the Giants price range. I have seen the number three years and $52 million being thrown around, and given he will be 35 a month into the new season, investing that kind of money is certainly a big risk.
5.) Gerardo Parra: He is the most likely target to fill the void in left field. The Giants have always loved Parra, who can play all outfield positions well and possess a good bat. In fact, they were interested in acquiring Parra in July before the Brewers traded him to Baltimore.
Parra is only 28 years old, and is coming off a .291/.328/.452 line with 14 home runs and 51 driven in. He did struggle in Baltimore where he hit just .237/.268/.357 with five home runs. It is likely the switch to the American League proved to be tough for the long time National Leaguer.
Parra, as you may recall, came up as an Arizona Diamondback and is familiar with the National League West. He is a few years removed from his breakout year in 2013 where he posted a 6.1 WAR, but given his age, there is no reason not to believe he is still a capable player and would be a good investment.
With an outfield market that is loaded with talent, Parra could be this year’s under the radar signing, and since he was traded mid-season, was not eligible for a qualifying offer, which is another plus.
Given Angel Pagan‘s injury history, the Giants will want to acquire someone who can play both left field and center field. Parra is a more than capable outfielder, recipient of two gold gloves in 2011 and 2013.
Pagan is entering his contract year, and Giants do not have any internal options in center field. It would make a ton of sense for the Giants to sign Parra to man left field then take over in center field in 2017 and keep left field option for Parker/Williamson or external options.
A four year $50 million deal seems fair for Parra, but given the market for free agents nowadays, making any sort of predictions is beyond me.
The Giants may also look to bring back Aoki if all else fails, though it would be difficult to get him less than the $5.5 they would have had him for had they exercised his option.
GM Bobby Evans is keeping an open mind, and there is no reason to blame him for doing so. This year’s free agent crop is the biggest in years, and if a team is planning on investing in free agents, this is the year to do so.