The Giants have a deal in place with outfielder Hunter Pence, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). It’s a big-league pact, MLB.com’s Maria Guardado tweets.
Pence will earn $3MM, according to Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter). There’s another $2.5MM available through incentives, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link). That includes $1MM in roster bonuses and another $1.5MM based upon plate appearances (beginning with his 450th), Crowley adds via Twitter.
Pence will add a right-handed-hitting component to a San Francisco outfield mix that is due to feature lefty hitters Mike Yastrzemski, Alex Dickerson, and Steven Duggar. The 36-year-old will have to hold off a few alternative candidates to carve out a role. The Giants will take a look in camp at Austin Slater. Jaylin Davis, Joey Rickard, Brandon Guyer, and others.
It seems reasonable to expect that we’ll see the 36-year-old Pence back in a Giants uniform. Beyond his fit from a roster perspective, Pence certainly suits the desire for some nostalgia as the team prepares for its first season without Madison Bumgarner. Pence was with the club for its trying 2017 and 2018 campaigns but also for two of its World Series-winning efforts in the preceding seasons.
Over parts of 13 seasons and nearly seven thousand plate appearances in the majors, Pence carries a .280/.335/.462 batting line — about 16% above the league average hitter. Pence has never walked a ton (7.4% career) and has typically exhibited good but not exceptional pop (.182 isolated power). He’s a four-time All-Star who has three 4+ fWAR seasons — at his best, a very good (and always an exceedingly likable) player.
When last he roamed Oracle (then AT&T) Park, Pence seemed to be firmly on the wane as a big leaguer. His own struggles in those ’17 and ’18 seasons mirrored and contributed to those of the ballclub at large. Pence managed only a .249/.297/.368 cumulative slash, well off his typical pace, while finishing out the five-year deal he signed at the end of the 2013 season.
When Pence finally did hit the open market, he settled for a minor-league deal with the Rangers. It was hard to expect much, but Pence ended up reworking his swing to great effect. He produced loud contact and a much steeper launch angle than he had previously, a nice combination that combined with a leaguewide power surge to enable Pence to launch 18 long balls in just 316 plate appearances. It wasn’t just the overall MLB jetstream; Pence finished with a 128 wRC+, the fourth-highest mark in his career.
Lol Panda & Pence back again.
LOL back to the WS for sure…
havent won since they left…correlation equals causation!
LOL. Signing Pence makes it official. The San Francisco Giants are now not only projected to finish last place in the division ( Fangraphs) Now, they are Fully certified as the Laughing stock of the Division. Possibly the league. Geez, this is gonna be a full on Freak Show
Every team has peaks and valleys and the Giants were the most successful team this last decade so they’re due for a valley. End of the day, the Giants have more rings in the last 35 years than the rest of the division combined
Says the guy who will be decked out in orange and black at fanfest trying to pay someone to be his friend. Not you gmen, righty.
We get it. The giants suck. Probably last place. But whats the difference (to an outsider such as yourself) between signing pablo and pence and a couple depth veterans like ryan zimmerman and dexter fowler lets say? Nobody is gonna turn this team into a playoff team so if they can get 20-30+ starts from these 2 fan favorites then why not? I dont love it but i do like it. And lets be honest, if 3 titles in 10 years by using homegrown players is the “laughing stock of baseball” then what are the cheating stros, or the teams who havent even made a divisional round series the entire decade?
But how can it be a freak show when they haven’t re-signed “The Freak” himself Tim Lincecum?
I didn’t hear them bringing back the Freak. I thought Linecum was done.
Damn @rightyspecialist, you’re a true hater of the Giants huh? Bet you were really cryin when they won those three rings! Smh. What’s funny is it’s a broken record. Everyone said last year they would be in last, and they topped Colorado and San Diego!
I don’t know if I buy giants in last – colorado could easily take that as well and haven’t done a ton to position themselves for the future. As a giants fan I admit that I don’t see them going too far but am looking forward to seeing what they do cobble together this year even if it fails for 2020
Let Timmy smoke…
@ righty, there you go, much better effort! You took my advice. I like the wit, a little humor, and the Fangraphs reference. A huge improvement from “Giants lol.” Job well done!!
Not with Gabe Kapler at the helm. He’ll wreck your bullpen in 2 months and wear out all of your arms.
You can’t argue with success. The Giants did win 3 world series in the past decade, but some of these acquisitions in recent years have to leave you scratching your head, i.e. McCutchen, Longoria ?
Are they just trying to get the band back together with Pence and Panda now?
No, they are buying time till the youngsters are ready. Bart etc…I agree with the contracts to Longo and McCutchen. I believe that’s why Evans is no longer the GM
What was wrong with the McCutchen signing? He was paid $14.75MM, he posted a 115 OPS+, and he played excellent defense in RF. The NYYs traded for him, and the Phils signed him to a 3 year deal with a 4th year option. The Phils paid him $17MM last season, and will pay $20MM next season.
The problem was that McCutchen wasn’t a signing at all…it was a trade. A trade in which we gave away an all-star caliber outfielder who was close to the MLB level plus a decent bullpen arm (not as concerned about that). Plus, McCutchen played with 0 heart or hustle, and played terrible defense in RF. That was especially disappointing, because I had always been a fan of his before that.
W
Nice
Ok. Welcome back Hunter.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA…..World Series Bound !
dumbest poster on this site. we aren’t trying to win a world series this year. we’re trying to improve our prospect pool and still put some fans in seats.
This clown is a bitter loser. For one thing he doesnt understand the patience 3 WS Championships created for Giants fans. Kick back, relax, and watch as they build another competitive team. Of course Pence isnt apart of their future. This fool doesn’t understand. He’s obviously just a sore loser.
So true
I never liked Boche, but he’s a good manager. What I mainly don’t like is he plays hard ball then complains when the opposing team does and well and his players get hurt. Injuries are never good, no matter who it is, but as the old adage says, “If you live by the sword, you die from the sword”.
It’s BRAHAHA. As in Rightyspecialist BRAHAHA. lol
rightyspecialist is some loser from New Jersey that likes the Yankees. His job was so sick of him and sent him out to San Fran. Now he’s sick of hearing about Giants baseball so he comes onto this site and acts like a fool. Refer to the Drew Smyly signings comments. The guy is a clown. He probably has nothing going for him in real life so he comes here to cry. Watch out in San Fran people possible shooter on the loose in rightyspecialist
San Francisco is a sanctuary City, this guy is the least of our problems.
Soooo sensitive! Why are Giants so fragile ?
@ righty. I take back my earlier post.
He’s crying out for the attention he doesn’t get offline.
Dodge this, let’s keep the politics out of it please, thanks.
Let’s just relax and remember that we’re all here to remind righty of what an ignorant troglodyte he is 🙂
So much for Houston
Hunter Pence wears floaties In the shower.
that’s just smart…safety first
I bet he waits 30 minutes after breakfast before he showers too
Hunter Pence only eats muffin bottoms.
Hunter Pence walks down the up escalator.
Tried to walk up a down escalator once… dont worry, I wasn’t driving
blasphemy!…only muffin bottoms?! Elaine Benes would be so disappointed smh
Hunter Pence parallel parks in an empty parking lot.
And those are the ALDI’s store brand.
Superman wears Hunter Pence Underwear
Hunter Pence doesn’t wear underwear.
lol
I find that hard to believe. My son calls him under pants.
Hunter pence wears his underwear on the ouside
hunter pence hits every button in the elevator except the floor he needs to go to….and the elevator still goes directly to the floor he needs
Hunter Pence hates children and christmas
Who doesn’t ?
Haha
Jk
They’re looking for outfielders to platoon why not Pence.
Here’s something that seldom gets mentioned. Lefty specialists now have to face 3 batters. And rosters are now expanded to 26. So if a lefty specialist comes in, and the starting lineup had mostly lefty hitters, you can run out 3 straight rh hitters off ur bench.
Giants will pretty much have full lefty or righty lineups. Gonna be funky
The Spin Doctors approve of this deal.
so does Ginger Baker
Hope he does well in SF since the RANGERS rejuvenated his career…
Uh yeah no one was questioning that buddy
I know nobody was, i’m just mad that we couldn’t bring him back, because we have to many corner outfielders/dh players.
Yes but it appears not everyone was capitalizing RANGERS, which I am glad he has cleared up.
Rangers had nothing to do with it. He revamped his swing in the off-season by himself.
pretty sure Hunter was the one who rejuvenated his career. TEX provided him a great opportunity but he did all the hard work. you sound like a jilted lover, btdubs.
I think it was do to him playing more than 40 games not the Rangers
Pence started reviving his career in 18 when he worked with Doug Latta and others to reinvent his swing. He tried at AAA Sacramento to get it right but with the injuries was never able to give it the attention it likely needed. This guy is a great athlete(although unorthodox) and a great human being who is loved in the city of San Francisco! Welcome back Mr. Pence I know for a fact you will do everything you can do make this team better (Even though expectations are low).
Remember when he hit that ball 3 times in one swing in the postseason?
Once in a lifetime hit…beautiful!
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good
Considering his age and recent injury history, I predict that Pence will not recapture last year’s form. Sorry for being a party pooper, Giants fans.
Oh, go apply some more pimple cream.
Since this is a Zaidi signing, this likely is the best he can do at this time to upgrade the outfield. As a giants fan I really don’t want lumbering washed up alumni doing regular duty. That should be reserved for the mid summer jersey retiring ceremonies
I hope this is not some kind of appeasement move. Farhan is too far gone to do that.
Then as a Giants fan, you should know he will not be doing regular duty. And you should know that Alex Dickerson will need a platoon partner and someone to give him rest. And that Kapler loves positivity and energy and learning, which Pence fits. It’s fine to think there were better options, but a 1-yr deal for a popular veteran to get the smaller share of a platoon isn’t gonna do anyone any harm.
This is not a flame on Hunter Pence (classy individual) or Panda (will do whatever coach asks him to do: catching/pitching/1B/3B ..).
The problem with past heroes on your team on a second go-around is that they are not as easy to cut should things not work out. It’s not like Mike Gerber or any of the others who got one look and were gone. They take up a slot on the 40/26 man roster, and cutting them is not just a quick easy decision. Of course if they do well, all this is moot; but it’s unlikely they are part of a future Giants playoff team.
“lumbering”? Pence was actually an above average runner last season according to the metrics.
I was hoping he would have come to Philly to end his career, but he played a lot more in Frisco and won 2 WS so it makes sense..
Imma ask you to refrain from calling it “frisco”
If your not from the bay. Dont make up names for our city
San Fran is better. Or SF. But frisco man. Not it
No hate tho. Just letting you know brother
Steak n Shake calls it Frisco. Hardees calls it Frisco. I call it Frisco.
Frisco is in Colorado. What Steak n Shake or Hardees calls it is of zero importance or accuracy.
Calling ‘cisco ‘frisco is so touristy.
Otis Redding went to ‘Frisco Bay and found Notorious B.I.G. sipping Cristo with some freaks from ‘Frisco.
And there’s an H.A. Frisco chapter.
I just don’t know who to believe.
Yeah baby yeah!!
2000 likes this.
Hooray! I love this guy, and I have been vocal here that when his career ends, he should turn his attention to managing or to taking the helm from Mike Krukow. He is such a gamer, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He makes the clubhouse a better place, and so does Pablo, even if these guys will never reach the heights they once did. It’s not really fair to expect them to at this point in time. These guys’ role is to mentor the youth and to help pass the torch to the next generation of Giants.
Waste of time.
Yeah love it! Will be a positive addition to the Giants, he will still need to perform, he had a good year last year before being hurt. All for it, good healthy familiar competition
Hahaha. Why don’t they sign Barry Bonds, Matt Williams and Jeff Kent too.
Probably for the same reason the dodgers won’t teach Kershaw to pitch in the playoffs. They can’t.
Exactly! It’s already a Circus act. Zaidi should go for the full on Nostalgia Freak Show
Because those guys cant play anymore and Pence clearly can, when healthy. He produced above average offensive value for the Rangers and he mlm also provides a leadership boost. It is a solid signing.
I’ve always loved Hunter, and he supposedly reworked his swing in Texas, but I’m not sure this signing makes sense if “Giving young guys a chance to prove themselves” is the plan. But Pence certainly bring more to the table than Brandon Guyer or Joey Rickard. Maybe even more than Duggar. Can Hunter play 1B too?
He won’t be blocking any young talent of note. All the Giants’ good OF prospects are still a couple of years out.
Well, I want to see more opportunities for Jaylin Davis and even Austin Slater & Chris Shaw, so hopefully signing Pence doesn’t diminish their opportunities.
Are you still hoping Chris Shaw is any kind of player? He’s a SO machine. Yeah he has a lot of power, but that just sounds to me like the second coming of Chris Davis.
I know. He’s gonna get his last chance this spring. But he still deserves more of a shot than Brandon Guyer or Joey Rickard. Just hopin’ but not counting on him.
Thank goodness. Now everyone can shut up about Puig.
Hunter Pence was only in two World Series teams, not three.
Humm Baby 🙂
Hunter Pence make me smile. Hey, Farhant throws Giants fans a bone
Jeff Todd, Pence was not part of the 2010 Championship.
Going to be a heckuva Spring Training battle for those last 2 bench spots in SF. Assuming, Sandoval starts the year on the DL, I count 2 spots and 15 guys competing. Not exactly a list of studs, but a healthy competition all the same: Christian Adames, Zach Green, Drew Robinson, Darin Ruf, Yolmer Sanchez, Abital Avelino, Kean Wong, Chris Shaw, Joey Rickard, Jamie Westbrook, Jaylin Davis, Steven Duggar, Joe McCarthy, Brandon Guyer, and Austin Slater.
My prediction is Yolmer and Drew Robinson, because they are young, athletic, and versatile,
This move didn’t work out for them several years ago, what makes them think it’s going to work now as Pence enters his age 36 season? And the Giants should be stockpiling young talent and letting younger players play right now. I seriously dont get this transaction from either party.
Panda and now Pence. Apparently even with Farhan, nostalgia is more important to the Giants FO than winning.
I do like seeing Yaz in the MLB. Giants fans should be happy about that. He had a great rookie season
Glad he’s going to SF rather than to cheating Astros.
Contrary to the Astros… it ain’t all about winning.
Let’s goooo!
Maybe it’s about winning with integrity and respect or am I just a naive idiot?
I dig it, good for him!
Happy to see Pence and Panda back! Help train those young’uns.
Oh come on, sour pusses…..the Universe rotates in a better way when (a) Pence is playing and (b) when he’s playing as a Giant. Lighten up and have some fun.
Seriously. There is no one in the minors who deserves to play. Hunter is not going to help. Just cost money.
Panda and Pence: Farhan’s gifts to the fans. Nothing wrong with that. Giants aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
I want this guy on my team – the only problem is I’ve lived in 9 cities the last 40 years! Classy guy – good inspiration for the young
Surprised the Rangers didn’t want him back
Good for him that he got out of Houston before the cheating.
Feel good story (from a Dodger fan eh). When it was rumored that he may sign, I commented (and subsequently got bombed) by commenting he’d be coming “home”. Of course Texas is his home, but the bulk of his work and notoriety was with the Giants. Chose not to rebut in that thread, but I stand by it. Okay, back to ripping each other’s orgs as we should be 🙂
Depth move and to mentor the younger guys. 300 at bats, maybe- depending on how it goes and how the younger guys perform. He will teach the young guys how to play the right way and his positivity will help in the clubhouse. If Slater, Shaw, Davis, etc can get it going, he’ll play less. He’ll platoon and play against lefties. Good move by the Giants.
If nothing else, his experience and attitude will inspire the new kids and maybe even the older ones as well. Nothing wrong with a few Hunter signs in the crowd…after all he puts katchup on hotdogs!