Brandon Belt Coming Back at Perfect Time for San Francisco Giants

Brandon Belt is expected to come off the disabled list on Tuesday and return at first base for the San Francisco Giants, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

Back on July 25 when Brandon Belt hit the disabled list for the second time this year, the San Francisco Giants were just 4.5 games out of the division lead and the second wild-card spot.

When he comes off the disabled list on Tuesday, the Giants will be in a much different situation fighting just to stay in the postseason discussion.

Now whether or not the Giants can still make the postseason this season is left to be seen, but regardless, having Belt back is great for a lot of reasons.

For one, the offense for the Giants has been hard to watch since his departure. Outside of those first two games against Pittsburgh, they’ve scored four runs or less in each of their last nine games and are 3-6 in that stretch.

While I’m on the side of the fence that doesn’t think Belt gives you what you need production-wise as a first baseman, I do agree that the Giants need his bat in the lineup — desperately.

Before going down for the second time, Belt was hitting a solid .278 this year with a .372 on-base-percentage. He has also scored 44 runs with 16 doubles, 14 home runs, and 43 RBI.

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The left-handed bat will be a welcomed site to the middle of the Giants order and should help them produce more runs consistently.

The other great reason for Belt coming back now is for his trade value. I know, half of Giants fans love Belt and never want him to leave, but I’m not one of those.

I am, however, one of those that believes it’s time for the Giants to tear it down and rebuild the farm system.

While it’s highly unlikely the Giants would find a suitor before the August waiver trade deadline, a good end to the season could lead to some interest in the offseason.

Belt’s contract — three years left at $17.2 million a year — will be a huge drag on a team that needs to rebuild.

While the Giants would have to eat a good bit of money in any deal involving Belt, if they can get a return — one or two prospects in a team’s 8-30 range — then it’s worth it to me because it would boost the farm system and open you up financially.

Outside of Andrew McCutchen possibly being traded soon, Brandon Belt is the most intriguing name to watch for me with the Giants down the stretch as I think it could decide his future with this team.