Giants free agency: Three power hitters to target this offseason

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 09: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals in his second at bat of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game five of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 09, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 09: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals in his second at bat of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game five of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 09, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 22: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium on August 22, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 22: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium on August 22, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images) /

OF Marcell Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna is undoubtedly one of the premier free-agent outfielders on the market this offseason. He has been an effective hitter since his time in Miami, where he earned back-to-back All-Star nods in 2016 and 2017.

The 2017 season was his best to date, as he hit .312/.376/.548 with 37 home runs and 124 RBI. That level of production is what made the St. Louis Cardinals eager to trade for him prior to the 2018 season.

He didn’t quite match those numbers during his two seasons with the Cardinals, but he remained an above-average offensive producer. This past season, he hit .241/.328/.472 with 29 home runs and 89 RBI. His batting average wasn’t ideal, but if he is able to hit 20-plus home runs in a Giants uniform, that would go a long way for the often power-starved lineup.

He would slot in as the team’s left fielder, and if the Giants choose to retain Kevin Pillar or replace him with someone of equal talent, they would have a rock-solid outfield with Mike Yastrzemski penciled in as the right fielder.

Ozuna will not come cheap and the Giants will not be the only team vying for his services.

That doesn’t mean the Giants shouldn’t inquire, though. If the price is right, he could be the power bat they’ve been searching for to anchor the middle of the lineup.

However, since it has historically been difficult for the Giants to bring in big-time free agents, let’s examine some other free agents who the Giants may actually have a better chance at acquiring.