The Giants have been frequently speculated as a fit for Aaron Judge, but their offseason won’t entirely revolve around him. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the club will be looking for two outfielders this winter and have checked in on both Brandon Nimmo and Cody Bellinger.
What sets Nimmo and Bellinger apart from most of the other free agent outfielders is the ability to play a competent center field. As noted by Slusser, the Giants’ outfield defense graded out poorly in 2022. The club used a hodgepodge of different options throughout the year, including Steven Duggar, Mauricio Dubon, Austin Slater, Mike Yastrzemski, Luis González, Jason Krizan, Stuart Fairchild, Joc Pederson, Bryce Johnson and Lewis Brinson. Defensive Runs Saved pegged them at -44, easily the worst in baseball with the Pirates next on the list at -33. Outs Above Average gave them a -25, tied with the Phillies for last. Only Ultimate Zone Rating was gentler, as their -21.8 in that category was 29th, edging out the White Sox. That’s a pretty unanimous assessment that says this is an area the club can upgrade, and having a reliable guy to pencil in there every day would certainly be appealing.
There are a handful of players who can provide help with the defensive side of things, such as Brinson, Jackie Bradley Jr., Brett Phillips, Bradley Zimmer, but they would likely be liabilities at the plate. Nimmo and Bellinger, however, have the potential to provide on both sides of the ball, though Bellinger’s offensive performance has been in quite an extended rut. Ever since injuring his shoulder during an ill-advised celebration in the 2020 postseason, he’s seemed lost at the plate. He mashed his way to MVP honors in 2019 by hitting 47 home runs and batting .305/.406/.629. His production slipped a bit in 2020 before he hit just .193/.256/.355 over 2021 and 2022 combined.
Whether he can get his offense back on track will be a key question, but he should have a decent floor thanks to his speed and defense. He was considered league average by DRS and UZR in 2022 while OAA was more enthused, giving him a mark of six for the year. He also swiped 14 bags this season, allowing him to be worth 1.7 fWAR despite the tepid work with the bat. Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, recently said that the outfielder will be looking for a one-year deal and it’s perhaps worth noting that this situation is at least mildly reminiscent of Carlos Rodón one year ago. Both players are represented by Boras and were entering free agency as talented players but with question marks about their consistency. The Giants and Rodón agreed to a two-year deal but with the southpaw afforded an opt-out to return to the open market after one season. Bellinger is apparently just looking for a straight one-year pact but perhaps the Giants will be the ones to step up and make that happen.
Nimmo’s case is less mysterious, at least in terms of his offense. He’s been fairly consistent at the plate, having an OBP of at least .367 in six straight seasons while keeping his wRC+ at 134 or higher over the past three. He had some durability concerns earlier in his career but has only had one significant injury absence over the past three years, which was due to a finger contusion in 2021. The defensive reviews are mixed, with both DRS and UZR giving him a negative number in 2020 and 2022 but a positive mark in 2021. OAA went negative in 2020 but has been positive the past two seasons. Wobbles from year to year with defensive metrics aren’t unheard of and it seems fair to expect Nimmo to provide at least average-ish glovework up the middle.
The problem with that stronger profile in recent seasons is that he will certainly cost much more than Bellinger. MLBTR projected him for $110MM over five years, or $22MM per season. Their payroll is currently around $133MM in the estimation of Roster Resource. That’s well shy of last year’s $155MM Opening Day figure and their franchise record of $200MM, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, but that doesn’t mean they will do everything they set their sights on. Given that the Giants have also expressed an interest in Judge, the top free agent shortstops and retaining Rodón, adding multiple nine-figure contracts is a bit tough to see. Then again, if the Giants end up missing on a few of their other targets, they should have plenty of payroll space to work with.
Whether they prioritize Nimmo or Bellinger, they will have competition. The Blue Jays are known to be interested in both Nimmo and Bellinger, while the Mets would like to bring Nimmo back to Queens.
Giants interested in just about everyone this offseason. Wish they would issue me a contract. lol
Giants and Rangers…..
Players agents circling Dallas and SF.
It seems that it’s always the Giants and Blue Jay’s who get the interest headlines
They just might, @soxshortstop! Or may I call you Xander?
The Giants have always had the most ordinary people playing OF for as long as I can remember. Not that they’re bad, just some very normal dudes.
Hunter Pence was the opposite of ordinary, my dude.
I’ve only been an MLB fan since mid-2016. Pence was a wild exception.
I have been watching the game since the 70’s and can tell you they have had some studs and some duds but the name that always sticks in my mind is Chili Davis!
Is that you Jayq? Lolol
The thing that always amazed me about Chili Davis is he was a two-time All Star Outfielder with the Giants, never had any history of injuries but after starting 147 games in LF for the Angels in 1989 would only play 60 games in the Outfield for the rest of his career.
Giants sign Bellinger and his injured shoulder his nickname has to be one flap down:)
I understand what you mean unlike some. Most of the elite teams do fill out all 3 OF positions with impact bats. Something the Giants haven’t done all that much.
He’s really more enthusiastic than wild, R29.
The giants have had seem pretty bad Outfields over the years too. Its why they had to add Pat Burrell, Jose Guillen, and Cody Ross down the stretch during their championship run in 2010
I guess Barry Bonds and Willie Mays were ordinary lol
Almost every team has at least a couple of bonified stars that patrolled their Outfield at some point or another
Rsox, And almost every team has had their share of ordinary to bad guys that patrolled their outfield at some point or another, as well.
Jack Clark and Kevin Mitchell come to mind from the way back machine
Whoa – Kevin Mitchel forgot about him…. The bare handed catch he made in the outfield is still one coolest things I’ve ever seen in a baseball game…
As great as that catch was there is an even better barehanded catch. It was a Chicago White Sox reliever, I want to say it was Roberto Hernandez but it was a line drive right back at him and he threw up the pitching hand and snared it bare handed. I’m sure it’s on YouTube and can be found there.
I remember a fella named Bonds…he played outfield and could be seen between innings, doing pullups in the clubhouse….juiced or not, he wasn’t ordinary.
But of course Darling, everyone is interested
Better be a lot of players coming with the 100 million of more they need to spend for next season
Luis Matos was just named the defensive player of the short Arizona Fall League and he was also recently promoted to the 40 man roster. His offense isn’t quite there but the Giants don’t need to overpay for underperforming outfielders (Bellinger, JBJ et. al) when they have a cheaper in house alt.
Besides Matos, Grant McCray and Vaun Brown had great minor league seasons. OF help is on the way! I agree! Do not overspend!
Saw McCary play in Modesto last summer. Clearly the best player for either team. Smoked a line drive and a 3 run shot. Also made a diving play in cf.
“Not quite there” is a bit of an understatement. .211/.275/.344 in High-A, but was solid in 2021, so perhaps there is hope.
Well, if Susan Slusser says so…. Count on it. It has to be true. Write it in stone.These “journalists” don’t have a clue.
Places where bigjonliljon goes clue huntin’ = places where the sun will never shine.
If Slusser says it, it’s because there’s a well placed source in the Giants organization telling her. She’s a solid reporter, not a commentator.
There you go, Pete. Farhan has been reading your comments.
Great to see so many clubs in on so many players.
I had guessed Nimmo to the Giants and I feel pretty good about that. I feel like Judge ends up resigning and San Francisco takes that money and brings in two really quality starters. Dansby and Nimmo could be an interesting duo of names to bring in.
Nimmo would be a great fit with the Giants but I think he is an anti-vaxxer so that won’t fly here, unless he has changed his mind
I think he is an anti-vaxxer so that won’t fly here,
==================================
What would he have to get vaxxed for?
Because it’s still 2020 afterall.
But are they interested playing for the Giants?
Truthfully both outfielders should be drawing attraction from many teams like the Giants and Cubs because they can shift to corner OF positions or First Base.
Why on earth would Belli sign there looking to regain value? That park is a nightmare for hitters
Maybe he thinks black and orange is cute?
Oracle Park was made more hitter-friendly in 2020.
so much of a nightmare that they led the national league in HRs in 2021 while playing half of their games there
amk1920 — It is not a “nightmare for hitters.” You’re living in the past.
It’s more of a question, why they’d want him. They already have enough automatic outs in the lineup.
Nimmo is a perfect fit if he can stay healthy, plays the game just like Hunter Pence did, SF fans would love him. And solves both the CF and lead off problem.
Most teams in the league could use a player like nimmo so he will get paid.
Potential fits…Giants, Dodgers, padres, rockies, blue Jay’s, Mets(probably missing some) are the most likely destinations. If I had to limit it to 3 I’d go mets, giants and blue Jay’s. My final guess will be the mets.
I like your optimism Simm. I see Nimmo getting offered something crazy that even the Mets would go there, a long deal lile 7-8 yrs or a ridiculous AAV, maybe both. I think the Mets would go as high as $150-$160 million but it wouldn’t surprise me if Nimmo snags a $175 million deal from someone. The Mets I doubt would go there.
Even 160m is way over projections. I figure even a slight over projection of 120m is closer to being right then over 170m.
While there is a real lack of depth in center so he will get paid. Nimmo isn’t a box office player. When teams go that high they want a dude that moves season tickets. Nimmo is a very good player but doesn’t have star power.
Nimmo will stay put in Queens. Cohen’s not about to take two steps back after taking two forward last year.
Honestly can we stop with the “interested” posts
Yeah, and they’re just rumors anyway. Why would anyone want see those here? 🙂
Umm, you realize that’s the entire point of this website, right?
Kevin Gausman was excellent when he was brought up, then had some injuries and mediocre seasons, until the Giants got him and fixed his mechanics. It was nothing serious, but nobody has noticed the problem in his previous teams. Things like that has happened to many players in the past. Sometimes, in life and sports , we don’t see what’s obvious and simple. That could be the case with Bellinger. His shoulder is not bothering him anymore, his fielding is still great, good arm, he can run, and he hit 19 homers. His batting average went down and he was striking out more than usual. I remember when Reggie Jackson was striking out a lot in his 2nd year in the majors. Eyeglasses solved the problem. This is just an example of the many things that could be troubling Bellinger. The talent is there and he’s only 27. Signing him is worth the gamble, I think. And he won’t cost much.
Bellinger’s shoulder is still bothering him, you can see it in his swing. I have no idea where you get your intel, but I hope the Giants sign Nimmo, and don’t even sniff after Bellinger.
Pete’sView;
The same people that this off-season post that giving Bellinger
$8-10m for 2023 just to play a superior CF is just what their team needs…..will be complaining by early June when he’s having trouble hitting .200 and he’s killing the team.
Same thing with Bradley Zimmer, Jackie Bradley Jr. and a few other guys the past 3-4 years.
Some fans will complain about it if he is signed, or if he is not.
But that said, it is not quite that linear. The investment, for some teams, will be that they get a good CF, and a good baserunner, with only a one-year commitment, and some upside with the bat. He wasn’t that far off being a mediocre bat (had he upped his BABIP to maybe .300).
Or for a team like the Cubs, who are looking for a one-year fix before promoting a minor leaguer.
Current dimensions where the Giants play = 430 feet to CF
Current dimensions where the Mets play = 408 feet to CF
Nimmo had to play deep in NY…which resulted in bloop hits that turned to 2B and guys on 1b that move to 3B or score on weakly hit singles
this article is proof positive that the modern baseball fan spends no time actually watching the games
Nimmo is a great fit if he plays LF in the Bronx.
Straight away CF at Oracle is 404 feet.
Straightaway CF is 391’. The deepest part of the park is 415’ in Right Center aka Triples Alley.
More details: ballparkpal.com/OraclePark.php
I think you are confusing Oracle with the Polo Grounds.
Nimmo is not worth 22m a year.. the guy doesnt even steal bases.. very aggressive for a leadoff hitter.. a lot of times he got out for swinging on the first pitch.. as a mets fan i wont mind seeing him back but at 22m? Good luck. I rather bank on Bellinger and see what he brings
To me this reads as “hey Mr. Judge, you have a crazy fantasy of the contract you want and we’re going to get someone who has a very high ceiling. May not work out but we won’t be obligated to pay you when your worthless in a few years.”. Same off-season as the past couple of years, the top tier players sit until they realize their perceived worth is far from what the market will pay. The smart ones will sign soon as they have probably received their best offer already. Longer they sit the less they will get as clubs will happily pay the their two and three guys who are willing to sign at their market value.
If the Giants want current Bellinger, they could have just kept Steve Duggar. He’s left handed, plays amazing defense, and can’t hit a lick and strikes out all the time.
Bellinger is a “name” now. He’s no longer good and the Giants shouldn’t be the team to gamble to see if they can fix him. This isn’t the offseason for the Giants to “hope” on guys. They need legitimate, presently good guys.
Nimmo makes sense, but I see him going to LA as Bellinger’s replacement. I also don’t think Nimmo’s contract is worth it either if he wants 5yrs at 20M+ per. The Giants need to trade for their defensive CF’er. I like Laureano on the A’s to be that guy. A perfect 7th-hole hitter who can play great CF defense. Shouldn’t cost TOO much in terms of prospects.
Still gives the Giants flexibility to sign big $$ at other positions.
Hearing over the wire that he is going to Canada to play ball.
Makes sense. As a Mets fan, hope they grab both of them.
Giants need to stay away from Bellinger… either Abreu, Walker, Nimmo, and Turner and maybe they can compete next yr
Giants doesn’t need these guys cause they’re no good. Giants need good players, and they’ve gots a farm system and big $$$ to go out and get good players. Sheesh.
The Giants will sign none of the players it’s being reported they’re interested in.
Correct. They’ll all end up on a “mystery team.”
They are both good ideas (although who knows with Bellinger). They could sign so many guys for the price of an Aaron Judge. Very possible that duo right there is (combined) more productive than Judge next year.
Not buying this 110%. Their t op priority in the Judge sweepstakes.
When Boras calls the Giants, he’s forwarded to voice mail.