The Giants have signed several veteran ballplayers in the last few days to minor-league deals. Those come, it seems, with an invitation to camp and a chance to compete for a roster spot. The latest is Cameron Maybin who has been with several teams but Giants fans probably remember him best in a Padres uniform. He's a former first-round pick (2005, #10) and an established glove-man, primarily as a centerfielder. At 31 he's been in the majors a remarkable 12 seasons, debuting in 2007 as a 20-year old. Also in the mix is Gerardo Parra, at one time a rising star with the Diamondbacks, who plays all three outfield spots, and has spent the last few seasons with the Rockies, thus another familiar fellow. Versatile infielder Yangervis Solarte--who we've also seen with the Padres--is hoping to bounce back after a rough 2017, having been a roughly 6-bWAR player from 2014-2017. Both are also 31. There is nothing to dislike about these signings, they are the perfect players to add depth and to measure the youngsters against. All three are accomplished major-leaguers but don't take up a spot--yet--on the 40-man. I think this is the kind of stuff FZ cut his teeth on with Billy Beane in Oakland.
--M.C.
p.s. I neglected to mention Craig Gentry, a 35-year old outfielder, probably because he's not as familiar as the above group even though he spent two seasons ('14-'15) with the Athletics. He came up with the Rangers in '09 and has also played for the Angels and the Orioles. He is also mostly known as a glove-first type, logging 1972 innings as a centerfielder over his ten seasons.
4 comments:
I just wonder what this means for our young guys getting a chance.
I think it is good for them. They need to know what a major-league standard of play is and these guys can show them that. I'd rather have the best player, even if he is old. The youngsters will get their chances, none of these signings impact the 40-man, at least not right now.
I can foresee a Duggar-Maybin platoon, for example, that would benefit both players. Duggar would get a break against the tough lefties, and would sit when he was struggling. He'd be a late-inning replacement for most of Maybin's starts. Maybin can rest his older legs now and then while providing a predictable level of production with the reasonable chance of occasional hot stretches. Sabean made similar signings, especially when the youngster crop presented a lot of uncertainty. The Giants need depth and flexibility in the roster. If someone like Mac Williamson emerges as an everyday player, someone like Gerardo Parra becomes a trade chip (or an emergency reserve in case of injuries).
On a 25 man roster the giants can maybe keep 5 outfielders in the majors. At best. With Maybin and Parra in the majors, that means some of our young players will still be hacking away in the minors. Perhaps that will be the best.
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