San Francisco Giants Rumors: SF Looking For Outfielder Through Trade, Free Agency

The San Francisco Giants have been one of the most active teams in MLB’s 2017-2018 offseason. After trying to acquire Giancarlo Stanton and successfully completing a trade for Evan Longoria, the team isn’t done trying to add major pieces to its roster.

According to the latest rumors, San Francisco is interested in adding an outfielder. That could be either Billy Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds or free agent J.D. Martinez.

Hamilton might be the more likely player to end up wearing a Giants’ uniform. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported Tuesday that San Francisco and Cincinnati were engaging in trade talks regarding Hamilton, continuing conversations that began earlier this month.

With 59 stolen bases in the 2017 season, Hamilton ranked second in all of baseball. The 27-year-old has finished second in steals in each of the last four years, totaling at least 56 stolen bases in every season since 2014.

Hamilton has never had better than a .260 batting average or six home runs in any of his four full seasons, though he’s an above-average defender. He won’t be eligible to become a free agent until after the 2019 season.

San Francisco is in need of an outfielder after dealing Denard Span in the Longoria trade. Martinez remains unsigned nearly two months after the conclusion of the World Series, and Jon Heyman named the Giants as a potential landing spot.

The Boston Red Sox are still considered the favorite to sign the No.1 slugger on the market. San Francisco saw what Martinez could do in 2017 as he posted a 1.107 OPS for the rival Arizona Diamondbacks in the final two months of the season. Martinez hit .320 with six home runs in 50 at-bats against the Giants.

Jay Bruce is also a potential option for San Francisco. The 30-year-old outfielder hit 36 home runs with a .254/.324/.508 slash line in 2017, splitting time between the New York Mets and Cleveland Indians.

The Giants might have been MLB’s most disappointing team in 2017. After starting the year as one of the World Series favorites, San Francisco went 64-98, tied for the worst record in the majors.

Many of San Francisco’s problems derived from their struggles on offense. The Giants finished second-to-last in runs scored, and no team hit fewer home runs.