Free Agent Left Field Options for San Francisco Giants

Apr 1, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean attends the 2013 season-opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants’ offseason has not gone as intended, but the Giants’ front office is not discouraged. While the team remains focused on adding a top-line starting pitcher, most notably James Shields, there are other areas of need for the defending World Series champions.

Third base is a void, and the market for third baseman is probably the softest market in the game. However, the Giants have a myriad of options at the hot corner already on their roster. Besides that, the most glaring hole is in left field.

Gregor Blanco is the internal option that makes the most sense, but he seems to be best suited as a fourth outfielder, and Angel Pagan‘s injury replacement. Travis Ishikawa is a first baseman-turned-left fielder who performed admirably in the postseason in his first taste as an outfielder. An offseason and spring training full of work in the outfield can only help Ishikawa improve. Then there’s Juan Perez. He had some big at-bats in the World Series, but has struggled offensively in the major leagues. On the other hand, he is a career .282 minor league-hitter, and his speed and defense are greatly valuable assets.

These options don’t quite strike fear into opponents, so there are some outside options the Giants can consider.