One surprising area of the SF Giants roster that they should look to upgrade

While the SF Giants are expected to pursue upgrades at second base and the rotation, there is another surprising area that should be upgraded. The outfield does not have any standout performers, nor does it have a true weakness, but that unit needs a player with a higher ceiling.

One surprising area of the SF Giants roster that they should look to upgrade

The current iteration of the outfield consists of Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and Mike Yastrezmski. Luis Matos has worked as a fourth outfielder as well. They all bring something to the table, but either have an extreme flaw or no standout tools.

Ramos is the best hitter of the group. He is hitting .270/.341/.428 (118 wRC+) with 14 home runs, 50 RBI, and 54 runs in 449 plate appearances. Those are quality numbers, but he ranks among the worst defensive outfielders in baseball. It is why he has put up only 1.1 fWAR this season. While his offense is comfortably above average, his baserunning and defense are considered negatives.

On the other hand, Lee and Yastrzemski have generated similar value, but the overall package is slightly different. Both offer quality defense and baserunning. Yastrzemski offers more power potential, whereas Lee brings a better hit tool and contact to the table. Lee has put up 1.6 fWAR, whereas Yastrzemski is tied with Ramos at 1.1 fWAR.

The good news is that upgrading from that should be relatively easy, with Yastrzemski being the most vulnerable from the group. That said, none of the three is performing in a way that makes them invaluable. They have all been more fine than good.

Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins and Ramón Laureano of the Baltimore Orioles are two names that could be moved at the trade deadline. Both hold an option for 2026, with Bader's being a mutual option. Mutual options are rarely exercised by both parties, so it is a good bet that he becomes a free agent at the end of the year.

Bader offers a solid skill set, consisting of good offense, defense, and baserunning. Laureano is having one of his best seasons at the plate, with an .846 OPS in 271 plate appearances. They would represent upgrades to the Giants' outfield alignment.

The problem with either option is that they are short-term fits. Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels could be moved at the trade deadline. He has one more year of team control after this season, so he would represent a longer-term fit. The right-handed bat also offers considerable power upside. He already has 24 home runs this season, and has reached 20 home runs in three of the last four years.

The Giants need a higher ceiling in the outfield. With Mike Yastrzemski set to reach free agency at the end of the year, that is one area they could look to upgrade. Jung Hoo Lee is in the second year of a six-year, $113 million deal and Ramos has not reached arbitration yet. Lee is not going anyway, but it might be time for the Giants to recognize that this outfield unit is not getting it done.