The San Francisco Giants and their Hunter Pence Dilemma

The San Francisco Giants have a dilemma on their hands, trying to find a place for the aging and declining right fielder Hunter Pence.

In some ways, San Francisco Giants’ outfielder Hunter Pence is still the same guy he was when the team acquired him in 2012. He’s still the guy who will give 110 percent every time he steps on the field. He’s still the guy who will run out every single groundball like his life depends on it, or run through a wall as he tries to catch any ball that comes his way.

Entering 2018, however, the wild-eyed Pence just doesn’t have the same 110 percent that he did just a few years ago. Age (35 years old next April) and a laundry list of injuries in recent years have left him just a shadow of the player that was a force for the team in 2013 and 2014.

2017 was Pence’s worst season as a big leaguer by many standards. Though he played 134 games, his most since 2014 (his last season as MLB’s Iron Man), he set career lows in on-base percentage (.315), slugging percentage (.385), and wRC+ (87). His 13 home runs matched his 2016 total, but came despite nearly 100 more plate appearances than the year before. Pence’s 31 extra-base hits were by far his full season low, falling behind the 37 he hit in 2016 (again, in almost 100 fewer plate appearances).

More from Golden Gate Sports

He took a big step back defensively in 2017, as well. He was worth -3 defensive runs saved, his sixth straight season without a positive number, and his 1.3 UZR/150 was his worst since 2012. Beyond the statistics, the eye test made it painfully obvious that Pence just doesn’t have the range to cover all that ground in AT&T Park’s spacious right field. Combine that with Denard Span, who was among the worst defensive players at any position in 2017, and life becomes a lot more difficult for Giants’ pitchers.

The Giants are likely stuck with Pence for one more season until his contract runs out. He’s due $18.5 million in 2018, and combined with his recent injury history and falling production, it becomes virtually impossible to offload him. He has a full no-trade clause anyway, so it would be extremely difficult even if there weren’t all these factors working against him.

So the Giants don’t have much of a choice. He’s not the same player who can be relied upon to play day in and day out while maintaining his presence as a threat in the middle of the order. But, it does seem that there is still a place in San Francisco for Pence. It shouldn’t be in right field, or the middle of the order, or probably even on an everyday basis, but there could still be a place.

General manager Bobby Evans said earlier in the week that, as the team tries to improve throughout the offseason, Pence could be shifted to a more part-time role. The Giants have been aggressive in the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes, and has also been linked to J.D. Martinez, with either one probably taking over as the everyday right fielder. That would, of course, push Pence out of right field and most likely move him over to left field.

If that becomes the case, Pence could become a platoon player with Denard Span, who almost certainly won’t be the team’ center fielder on Opening Day in 2018.Moving Pence to left field would probably be a good move for him, giving him less room to cover without the huge Triple’s Alley behind him. That could help preserve his legs and reduce the risk of injury throughout the year.

If there’s anything to glean from Pence’s season in 2017, it’s that maybe there’s still a little bit of life left in his bat. He finished the year strong at the plate, hitting .291/.360/.467 with seven home runs and a 120 wRC+ over his last 51 games. It wasn’t enough to completely outweigh the first two-thirds of the season, but it is a promising sign.

The team has to fix the outfield defense, particularly in center field and right field. They also need a steady presence out in left field, and they need more thump in the lineup. Getting those things straightened out can force Pence to diminish his role, but he will still have a role as long as he’s a Giant.

Next: Giants CF Trade Options: Bradley, Jr.

Pence’s role shouldn’t be the same as it was in previous years, but there can still be a role for him. It won’t be easy, but as the front office has said, tough decisions will need to be made this offseason. Pence can still be a productive player, and his reputation as a teammate as second-to-none, so he can still help the team. If the team wants to get back to contention next year, they’ll need some contributions from him.

Home/San Francisco Giants