San Francisco Giants: Best Outfield Fallback Options Following Recent Signings

The San Francisco Giants have been the most active and aggressive franchise this winter. GM Brian Sabean has already made four big moves to fortify the Giants' roster.

Right fielder Hunter Pence was the first signing, as Sabean inked him to a five-year, $90 million deal, before Pence hit the open market.

Pence was the Giants' most productive offensive player with 27 home runs, 99 RBI, and 91 runs scored and stolen bases. He led the Giants in all four categories. He also batted .283, with an OBP of .339 and OPS of .822.

Pence is a fan favorite in San Francisco with his tireless hustle and passion for the game. He played all 162 games for manager Bruce Bochy and was voted the winner of the Willie Mac Award by his teammates. This award symbolizes the ability and spirit of the great Willie McCovey and is a big honor for Pence. 

In addition to Pence, the Giants also retained starting pitcher Tim Lincecum. Just prior to hitting the open market, Lincecum agreed to a two-year, $35 million deal.

Lincecum had some stellar moments in 2013, including throwing his first no-hitter. However, he also was inconsistent, as his ERA of 4.37 indicates.

Following these two deals, Sabean then came to terms with free-agent pitcher Tim Hudson. He will solidify the Giants' starting rotation and will slot into the third or fourth starter spot.

In 2013, Hudson was limited to just 21 starts, as an ankle injury ended his season early. The Giants and Hudson expect that he will be at full strength in time for spring training.

This past season, Hudson threw a total of 131.1 innings, allowed 120 hits and 36 walks, while striking out 95. His ERA was a respectable 3.97 and his WHIP was a strong 1.188.

Although Hudson is 38 years of age, he should have a couple of decent years left. Pitching half of his games in the spacious AT&T Park will also benefit him.

Left-handed relief specialist Javier Lopez signed his deal to return to San Francisco. He receives a three-year contract for $13 million. 

Lopez has been extremely effective for the Giants, helping to lead them to World Series titles in 2010 and 2012. This past season, Lopez appeared in 69 games, but worked only 39.1 innings. He allowed 30 hits and 12 walks while striking out 37. 

Lopez ended the year with an ERA of 1.83 and WHIP of 1.068. Left-handed hitters batted only .156 against him. These are all amazing numbers considering Lopez is brought in to face the top one or two left-handed hitters on the opposing team.

The last major piece of the puzzle is left field. In 2013, the Giants were the worst team in baseball as far as production coming from left field.

Lets take a closer look at the Giants' options in the outfield and review each scenario.

All stats and salary data is courtesy of baseball-reference.com.

No. 5: Acquire Garrett Jones

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Garrett Jones was recently designated for assignment by the Pirates.

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated Garrett Jones for assignment. The Giants would be able to acquire him for a low-level minor league prospect.  

At 32 years of age, Jones would be a decent addition to the Giants. Although not spectacular, he is a solid veteran player.

This past season in 403 at-bats, Jones hit .233 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI. His OBP was .289 and he had an OPS of .708.

Only one year earlier, Jones had a much better season. In 2012, he hit .274 with 27 home runs and 86 RBI. His OBP was .317 and OPS .832.

Jones can play both the outfield and first base. A below average outfielder, Jones could be replaced in the late innings by a player like Gregor Blanco or Juan Perez.

Jones, who is arbitration eligible, made $4.5 million in 2013 and the Giants should be able to sign him for something in that same range after Jones had a mediocre year.

No. 4: Bite the Bullet and Sign Jacoby Ellsbury

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Jacoby Ellsbury would give the Giants an excellent lead-off hitter.

The San Francisco Giants would like to find an outfielder that can provide a spark offensively and play good defense. Jacoby Ellsbury is that player.

Ellsbury had an outstanding year in 2013, as he hit .298, with nine home runs, 53 RBI and 92 runs scored. His 52 stolen bases led the American League. Ellsbury had an OBP of .355, with an OPS of .781.

Ellsbury would give the Giants a top-notch leadoff hitter and he is also a good defensive center fielder. He could easily move to left field or the Giants could move Angel Pagan to left.

The skill set that Ellsbury provides will fit well at AT&T Park. He is a line-drive hitter with excellent speed and the spacious grounds at the Giants' home park will actually benefit Ellsbury.

The issue with Ellsbury and the other top free-agent outfielders such as Shin-Soo Choo, Carlos Beltran, Nelson Cruz and Curtis Granderson is that they were all extended qualifying offers by their former teams.

If the Giants sign Ellsbury or any of these players, they would lose their first selection in the 2014 amateur draft. It is very unlikely that the Giants will want to give up that first-round pick, although Ellsbury is the one player that would be worth it.

Ellsbury made $9 million in 2013 and will get a hefty raise. Not only would it cost the Giants their top pick in the 2014 draft, but Ellsbury's contract would likely be up in the five-year $90 million range, similar to what the Giants gave Hunter Pence.

The likelihood of the Giants acquiring Ellsbury is very small for the two reasons mentioned, but it never hurts to dream.

No. 3: Stand Pat Until the Trade Deadline

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Gregor Blanco could be a platoon player.

After stars like Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Nelson Cruz, Shin-Soo Choo and Curtis Granderson are taken, the secondary market for free-agent outfielders is very mediocre.

With the Giants unlikely to forfeit their first-round draft pick in the upcoming amateur draft, the list of second-tier outfielders is where the Giants are looking. Players like Nate McLouth, Franklin Gutierrez, Raul Ibanez, Kelly Johnson, Grady Sizemore and Corey Hart are available, but none is an ideal fit for the Giants.

Of this group, McLouth is the only good defender and would probably be the best option, although he would not give the Giants a lot more offensively than a platoon of Gregor Blanco and Brett Pill.

The most likely scenario is that the Giants will stay with a platoon in left field and GM Brian Sabean will look to make a deal at the trade deadline.

Blanco proved in 2013 that he should not be starting every day. He got the opportunity when Angel Pagan was injured, but he did not capitalize.

Blanco had a career-high of 452 at-bats, hit .265 with three home runs, 41 RBI and 50 runs scored. His 14 stolen bases were too low for a player with his speed. Blanco's .341 OBP was decent, but his OPS of .690 is too low for a full-time starting outfielder.

Blanco is an outstanding defensive player and should start against right-handed pitching. The other half of the platoon would be decided in spring training between Brett Pill and Juan Perez. Francisco Peguero was just designated for assignment and is likely no longer in the Giants' short-term plans.

Pill has the most power and could provide the most punch for the Giants, but he is a below average defender. Perez is a good defensive player but must prove he can hit big league pitching.

This scenario is not exciting at all, but is the most likely. It will be incumbent on Sabean to upgrade this position prior to the trade deadline if the Giants are in the hunt for the playoffs. 

No. 2: Acquire John Jay

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

John Jay should be on the market for the right price.

The Saint Louis Cardinals recently traded David Freese to the Angels for center fielder Peter Bourjos. This makes John Jay their fourth outfielder, as Allen Craig and Matt Holliday will start at the corner outfield positions.

Jay is a solid, though unspectacular player. With the Cardinals' highly touted outfield prospect Oscar Taveras about ready to make the jump to Saint Louis, that makes a crowded outfield even more tight.

The Giants might be able to acquire Jay for a decent prospect and he could step in and start immediately in San Francisco. Jay is a better defensive center fielder than Angel Pagan and could play there or in left field.

In 2013, Jay batted .276, with seven home runs, 67 RBI, 75 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. His OBP was good at .351, to go along with an OPS of .721.

For all the reasons mentioned, this deal makes good sense for both clubs.

No. 1: Sign James Loney

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

James Loney had an excellent 2013 season.

James Loney is a very good solution for the Giants. He is a good defensive first baseman and has shown a great deal of improvement as a hitter. 

Loney, who is 29 years of age, had an excellent 2013 season. He hit .299, with 13 home runs and 75 RBI. His OBP was .348 and he had an OPS of .778.

Signing Loney would require a move by Brandon Belt to left field. Although currently a below average defensive outfielder, Belt does have some experience in left field. He is a good athlete and would improve defensively if he were out there playing every day.

Loney made only $2 million this past season and will get a sizable increase. If the Giants can sign him to a two-year deal in the $10 million range, it would be a good investment.