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San Francisco Giants: 3 Burning Questions Entering Spring Training

By Andrew Greenblatt

Sep 30, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) heads to the dugout after being pulled by manager Bruce Bochy (not pictured) during the eight inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) heads to the dugout after being pulled by manager Bruce Bochy (not pictured) during the eight inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. The Giants defeated the Dodgers 9-3. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /
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  1. Who Will Play The Outfield?

san francisco giants
Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants center fielder Denard Span (2) celebrates scoring on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Brandon Belt (not pictured) with right fielder Hunter Pence (8) in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs during game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco Giants have had a lot of options in the outfield for the last several years, but almost no consistency. Let’s break it down:

2010 World Series Game 1 Outfield

2012 World Series Game 1 Outfield

2014 World Series Game 1 Outfield

While there are some repeat names, like Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco, there are really no consistent options in the outfield going into 2017. Blanco has hardly been a consistent or daily force, and recently signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pence, who played in 162 games in both 2013 and 2014, only appeared in 158 total games total in 2015 and 2016 due to injuries. Pagan, who also has been a consistent starter over the last several years, is old and injury-prone, and really can’t be relied on for the future.

Pence, who played in 162 games in both 2013 and 2014, only appeared in 158 total games total in 2015 and 2016 due to injuries. Pagan, who also has been a consistent starter over the last several years, is old and injury-prone, and really can’t be relied on for the future.

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4 under the radar Phillies prospects named Organization All-Stars by MLB Pipeline
4 under the radar Phillies prospects named Organization All-Stars by MLB Pipeline /

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    • Last year, the Giants brought in Denard Span to play the outfield, but quickly learned that he is not a long-term solution either. He is only a few years younger than Pagan and while he is a better arm in the outfield, his hitting left something to be desired last year.

    Span posted a .266 average, but only a 1.0 Wins Above Replacement rating, which puts him extremely far down on the list of outfielders. For some perspective, a ‘good’ WAR for a starter is just about anything more than a 2.0.

    Lastly, the Giants will need to look at their two biggest question marks when it comes to outfielders. Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson are both prospects who are young and inexperienced but have displayed glimmers of hope throughout the last several seasons.

    The two had nearly identical years statistically, playing in 63 and 54 games respectively in 2016. While they have had flashes of greatness in their time with the Giants, they are both over 25 and have yet to prove they are an everyday option in the outfield.

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