San Francisco Giants: Search for answers in unfurnished outfield continues

What has simply been just trying to solve the riddle that is the San Francisco Giants outfield has become a multi-year-long science experiment resulting in an endless carousel of temporary faces.

Barry Bonds finished his final season with the San Francisco Giants in 2007. The left fielder had held the position since 1993 and did his part helping the Giants to a World Series in 2002 and earning an MVP in his first season… and four straight between 2001 and 2004.

Fast forward to today. The left fielder in Monday night’s Giants game was Brandon Belt; the regular first baseman.

Why was Belt in left field?

Before Monday’s game, the Giants acquired Tyler Austin from the Minnesota Twins in a two-player swap. Austin is primarily a first baseman with some outfield experience, but because they needed the extra hitter in their lineup, manager Bruce Bochy opted to put Austin at first and his regular first baseman in left.

To show just how frustrating the left field find has been, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly tweeted the Opening Day left fielders for the Giants since Bonds:

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While leftfield has had its own problems, the outfield as a whole has additionally struggled to find answers.

At the start of the offseason last year, the San Francisco Giants had a starting outfield of Gregor Blanco, Gorkys Hernandez and Hunter Pence from left to right. During the offseason, all three did not re-sign and have now joined other teams in different capacities.

So who was to take over? You had Chris Shaw, a young power-hitting left fielder but not quite as developed as the Giants like; Steven Duggar was a lock to start in center field; Austin Slater had some major league experience at multiple positions; Mac Williamson had been fighting for a roster spot from year to year.

Instead, the Giants tried to acquire some help in free agency. They were in the mix for the massive Bryce Harper contract sweepstakes, which would have solved not only the outfield problem but the power-hitter problem, but eventually lost out to the Phillies.

Who they got instead were a few 30-something veterans in Cameron Maybin, Gerardo Parra, and Yangervis Solarte (not a true outfielder). They additionally traded for younger outfielders in Connor Joe and Michael Reed.

Add to it the trade for Kevin Pillar just last week and the Giants’ offseason to now looked something like this (courtesy of SF Chronicle):

All the players that have cycled through the outfield is one thing, but the other lacking result has been the offensive production.

We all know the feats that Bonds accomplished, and without even tabulating the numbers, I am certain everyone knows that if you combine the stats every outfielder who has played for the Giants since his departure has not even come close to the numbers Bonds produced.

Trust me when I say just save yourself from the research. It’s not worth it.

So what is the good that has come out of all of these transactions? Kevin Pillar is a defensive boost in the outfield and in Monday night’s game he introduced his ability to hit to the Giants’ faithful:

Pillar’s contract ends after this season, but he is arbitration eligible and at just 30-years old would be a good piece to hold onto with Duggar being their future.

Austin has the same contractual situation as Pillar, but is 27 and would be a beneficial power bat off the bench behind Belt at first.

If Gerardo Parra makes enough of an impact on his one-year deal the Giants may decide to keep him longer, and he himself has been a huge defensive pickup; including this gem against the Padres:

As for the younger guys in Reed, Joe, Williamson, and Shaw? This is a grand opportunity for them to develop in the minor leagues and eventually work their way back to the major league roster. Joe has been recently designated for assignment and may not be in the organization in a few days.

This outfielder carousel feels more like the attendant left the switch in the on position and walked away for a few months. With this recent move, however, the San Francisco Giants look to be inching closer and closer to finding that perfect chemistry from left to right.