Who Will Fill the Giants’ Left Field Void?

Jun. 9, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: San Francisco Giants outfielder Juan Perez hits an RBI single in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training in less than 90 days, and the speculation for who will start in left field continues.  With the news that the Giants are re-signing Ryan Vogelsong pending a physical, thoughts filter back to the pocketbook- how much do the Giants have left to spend? And who else is available for left field? If the Giants are going to make a move, they need to not only make a move to fill the void in left, but someone who can bring more to the plate as well. There was talk at first of Shin-Soo Choo, the South Korean Free Agent from the Reds.  Over 9 years Choo has averaged .288 BA, with with a high of .309 in 2008 and a low of .259 in 2011, climbing back up and had .285 last year.  He landed 12th on the list for NL MVP for 2013, 4 spots ahead of our own Hunter Pence.

Some have also talked about bringing Carlos Beltran back to AT&T, and hell, if we’re going to essentially keep the same team we had, why not.  Or, we could make new pitcher Tim Hudson feel more at home and bring over Atlanta Braves Free Agent Brian McCann. Both started with the Braves in 2005, and have played on the same team together ever since.  Or maybe we keep a committee of left fielders, as Bochy seems so fond of doing.

Before Angel Pagan’s injury last season, I was rooting for a “Triple P” outfield, with Hunter Pence in Right Field, Angel Pagan in Center, and Juan Perez in Left Field.  Sure, the kid has talent, and room for improvement, but who doesn’t?  We wouldn’t love the Giants half as much if they were perfect all the time. The more I see him play, the more I like the kid. The way he scales the left field wall making a catch, I’d even be tempted to nick name him Spiderman.  He’s 5’11”, which is by no means short, but he makes the 8′ wall look like nothing when he hustles to make a play.  He seems to be taking lessons from Pence when it comes to playing with heart, and that’s something we won’t complain about.  With Francisco Peguero DFA’d, there’s more room for Perez in left. He also brings a better bat to the plate, batting .258 in 2013,  slightly better than Andres Torres, and without the incredibly tight pants.  Torres is also a free agent in 2014, and is recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs in his heel with an expected six month rehab.

Another option is Rajai Davis, as mentioned in Friday’s AtF Podcast.  (Side Note: If you haven’t been listening to the Podcasts, you’re absolutely missing out!) Davis had two brief stints in San Francisco from 2007-2008, playing a total of 63 games, and would need a new number if he returned to the bay.

Would you leave the LF to be filled by platoon, and if so what would your rotation be? Or would you make a trade? What would your dream out field look like? Leave your comments/ideas below!