Giants general manager Bobby Evans has mentioned time and again this offseason that club is not targeting a big name free agent outfielder, and instead are happy to roll with in house options Mac Williamson and Jarrett Parker in 2017.
The singing of big-name closer Mark Melancon to a 4-year/$62 million contract put the Giants over the $195 luxury tax threshold in total payroll, meaning another free-agent signing could have serious financial ramifications. Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper joined the Murph and Mac show on Wednesday morning, and argued there is likely another reason San Francisco is looking at in-house options to fill their left-field vacancy.
“I do think there’s one guy that did something last year that made the Giants think about what they are going to do in left field, and that was Adam Duvall,” Kuiper said. “When Adam Duvall left here, nobody really knew what they had. He goes to Cincinnati and he’s an All-Star – he’s in the home run derby. I think that when that happens, you have to start looking at your minor league system, and say ‘you know what, maybe we’ve got some guys down there that can do some terrific things, and maybe we have to give them a shot.’ I think Adam Duvall may have something to do with what’s going to happen in left field last year.
Duvall was an 11th round pick by the Giants in the 2010 draft, and only played with the big league club for one year before being traded to the Reds for starting pitcher Mike Leake. Duvall soon evolved into one of the better young hitters in the game, making his first All-Star appearance last season.
Kuiper believes the Giants don’t want to pass on Williamson and Parker until they know what they have, something that is unclear at the present time.
“I think two things have to happen with Mac Williamson,” Kuiper said. “One, he’s got to stay healthy. You look at him in a uniform and you want him on your team, but he’s got to stay healthy. Two, he’s probably got to shorten his swing a little bit. The only way to do that is if you play. Whether it comes down to Parker and Williamson and whether it’s a straight platoon, I don’t know. Or who’s hot, I don’t now. But both those guys have power and both those guys look like they’re gonna be the two that get the chance.”
“I get it with the fans. I get it. You want somebody out there who has done it before and you know what you’re getting and it makes things a lot easier for everybody. But it’s not my money to spend.”
Listen to the full interview below.
