The Tigers announced today that the Giants have claimed outfielder Mike Gerber off waivers. He’ll head onto the San Francisco 40-man roster — representing the first such addition of new president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
Gerber, 26, only briefly touched the bigs last year and struggled for much of the year at Triple-A. Previously, though, he had been a steady producer on the Tigers farm. Indeed, he produced .800+ OPS figures over each of his first four seasons as a professional.
This is a curious move. Unless there’s something I don’t know about Mike Gerber, he had a -21 (NEGATIVE 21!!!!) wRC+ last year.
Other than it being a pure depth move, am I missing something?
No, not really. He bats left with some power and plays solid yet unspectacular defense. I got to see him several times at Toledo, including a 2 HR game, so the power is there. He was completely over-matched in the majors though. My impression was that he isn’t very selective at the plate. Looks to be a possible 4th outfielder at best, but most likely a AAAA player.
The only thing I can see, beyond depth, is that maybe Zaidi sees something others don’t.
He has a knack for this sort of thing (Muncy, Taylor, Turner, etc.)
I live Zaidi a much as anyone but he had nothing to do with Turner. If we’re gonna give the credit for that one to a GM, it’d be Ned Colletti.
Fair enough. The other two names, along with several bullpen guys still stand.
I agree. I don’t want the Giants to start uncovering the Max Muncys and Chris Taylors of the world, but Zaidi improves their chances of doing so big-time.
This was one reason whyI love the Zaidi hire: you never know where he’ll find value.
It’s hard not to be envious of what LA did with several of those guys. And now, Taylor and Muncy are very important pieces to the 2019 Dodgers.
Zaidi probably doesn’t replicate that 100% (he didn’t bring in LA’s player development department), but it gets them closer.
I’m guessing it’s just depth. Might play for a few weeks before duggar is 100% healthy in mid/late April recovering from surgery.
Looks like he had decent numbers in his rise through the minors until he hit a wall last year.
His 2017 slash line looks very solid. I’m assuming a scout told them he has natural tools and just had a bad 2018. I wouldn’t look at the .289 OPS in 42 MLB ABs. I’m looking at that .869 OPS he posted across A, AA and AAA (even as a bit of an over-age).
Potential for a David Murphy type player, maybe.
That’s in 47 PA’s.
The thing you don’t know is RELAX its December,he’s been good before last year and worth checking out and adds depth to the Farm System,no lose!
Wait…Tigers or Giants claimed?
Never mind read that wrong
Ol’ Baby Food is coming in now to pitch
Indicates the new GM isn’t impressed with the depth of the club and sees this as an upgrade. Also shows the Tigers depth is gradually improving if other clubs want to claim their players on waivers.
“Indicates the new GM isn’t impressed with the depth of the club…”
You’re reading far too much into a minor move of the type that every team in baseball makes. Plus everybody already knew, as did Zaidi long time ago, that the farm lacked depth.
As a Tigers fan I think he has a chance. Plus power and decent in CF. Just had a terrible year. Gardy liked him in spring training and I think it was unsettling to him to go back down. Probably a 4th OFer but there is potential.
He owns righties and has already won a MILB Gold Glove not to mention plays every outfield position. Seems like he’s a platoon partner but he has the better side of the platoon (he owns righties not lefties more right handed pitchers in the league) and actually hit fine against left-handed pitching until he reached the upper minor leagues; so theres a chance he rights the ship. This goes in line with Zaidi’s other moves looks like he’s trying to give the lineup versatility so the team can hit well against righties and lefties (Rupp owns Lefties). As many people mentioned already he seemed to hit the wall last year possibly due to the nagging shoulder injury he had in May of last year.
Saw a lot of Gerber at West Michigan. He is a decent hitter and fielder. He can play all positions, But he struck me then as a AAAA player or a 4th OF and as he rose through the ranks, did not see enough to make me think he would be much more.
Tigers have 38 on their 40 man roster so why was this move necessary? Suspect Al tried to sneak him though in the hopes he would go unclaimed and then send him back to Toledo. He wants that spot for something else. A SS, pitcher, a rule 5 pick? Something else? Should find out soon enough.
The Giants inked a 6 year deal with Gerber Baby Foods for sponsorship in the ballpark over the weekend. Now the official baby food of major league baseball I think this is a publicity stunt associated with it.
There goes any hope of Harper coming to SF.
Sounds like the second coming of Jarrett Parker…
Gerber was known as a real cry baby for the Tigers. He angered Mrs. Gardenhire and failed to pack his uniform away. He will be a real steal for the Giants who know how to make a man out of him
*The* Mike Gerber? Wow, start printing those Giants playoff tickets right away lol.
The real personnel moves are going to happen in Feb, when some free agent bargains can be found. And in terms of a legit free agent signing: I’m predicting that singing Japanese import Kikuchi to a creative Maeda-like contract will be Zaidi’s first big move.