3 reasons for the SF Giants to bring back longtime first baseman Brandon Belt

The SF Giants have a decision to make this offseason on their longtime first baseman Brandon Belt. The left-handed bat finished the season on the injured list after undergoing knee surgery, but there could be more left in the tank for the 34-year-old.

3 reasons for the SF Giants to bring back longtime first baseman Brandon Belt

During his time in a Giants uniform, Brandon Belt has had quite the career. He helped the Giants win two World Series titles, was blamed whenever the team went through offensive slumps, and anointed himself captain just to name a few of his feats.

No matter what you think of him, he has been a fairly steady presence at first base for the past decade even with his numerous injuries.

After a disappointing, injury-plagued 2022 that ended with Belt getting knee surgery, some believed that Brandon Belt would retire, following in Buster Posey's footsteps. But it appears that Belt is intent upon giving it another go next season.

Belt has expressed a desire to come back to the Giants, the only organization he has known in his big league career. What remains to be seen is whether the Giants will reciprocate that interest.

There is some preliminary reporting that the Giants may be looking to move on from their longtime first baseman as he heads into his age-35 season.

On its face, this makes sense. Belt is getting older, has a lengthy injury history, and the Giants are looking to get younger and faster if they can.

They also have players on the roster who proved they can handle duties at first base and be productive at the plate like J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores.

Despite this, there is still a case to be made for bringing back Belt.

3 reasons for the SF Giants to bring back longtime first baseman Brandon Belt

Reason #2: He could come at a discount

Because Brandon Belt struggled so much in 2022, and because of his injury history, the Giants might be able to get him at something of a discount this offseason. Perhaps, he could be had on a contract with low guaranteed money with incentives. Belt might be motivated to remain in San Francisco given that this is the only organization that he has known.

The demand is likely not going to be too high for a 35 year old player coming off of a rough year, so the Giants would not have to break the bank for him. They may even be able to get him for less than the roughly $18 million he made in 2022.

Now, the Giants may decide that a discount on Belt may be more than they are willing to pay when 1) they already have other first base options and 2) they appear to be gearing up to spend big on other free agents.

However, if the team misses out on those big name free agents like they have in the past, then they may feel more comfortable bringing back Belt.

3 reasons for the SF Giants to bring back longtime first baseman Brandon Belt

Reason #3: He is the Captain

There is something to be said for leadership on baseball teams even in the age of analytics. The Giants do already have veteran leaders on the team going into 2023 like Brandon Crawford, but it may not hurt to bring the self-anointed captain back even as the team looks to get younger.

Belt can definitely serve as a mentor figure to a crop of young Giants players like David Villar who are trying to establish themselves at the big league level. The captain title may be tongue-in-cheek, but Belt is still a respected veteran who can impart wisdom to younger players.

In sum, the Giants do not have the easiest decision to make this offseason when it comes to Belt. Some fans will be more than thrilled to say bye to Belt while others will dearly miss seeing the Baby Giraffe over at first base.

No matter what, Belt is a great Giant who has helped the team tremendously in his decade-plus in a Giants uniform.