© Jerome Miron | 2015 May 2
The Giants are making sure they have outfield depth heading into the 2019 season, whether or not they land Bryce Harper.
Days after signing 10-year veteran OF Gerardo Parra to a minor-league deal, San Francisco added another on Friday, agreeing to terms with former Orioles and A’s outfielder Craig Gentry, according to Steve Adams of MLBTR.
Gentry, 35, is — like Parra — versatile, and saw action at all three outfield spots last season. Gentry has been a slightly below average hitter throughout his career with a slash line of .262/.333/.339, posting similar numbers (269/.321/.346) in 2018. Gentry’s primary value is on the defensive end, where he had seven defensive runs saved last season.
Gentry was a 10th round pick by the Rangers in 2006, and spent five years with the big league club before being traded to the A’s. Gentry spent two years in Oakland, one with the Angels, and the last two with Baltimore before being released in September.
Farhan Zaidi has said he wants to add two veteran outfielders this offseason, and it would seem that Parra and Gentry fall into that category. As it currently stands, both will compete in spring training with Chris Shaw, Steven Duggar, and Austin Slater for the three outfield spots. Duggar is considered the favorite to win the job in center field.
