3 reasons why the SF Giants should sign Cody Bellinger this offseason
The SF Giants are looking to make an FA splash this off-season, that much is clear. Yet, there is a difference of opinion amongst the fan base as to who that player should be. One of the most connected names to the Giants is Cody Bellinger. This is the case for why Cody Bellinger would be a perfect fit.
The SF Giants have been connected to center fielder Cody Bellinger this winter. In fact, they have been considered co-favorites by one MLB insider. We looked at the reasons against signing Bellinger, but what are the reasons to sign him?
3 reasons why the SF Giants should sign Cody Bellinger this offseason
The left-handed bat had a resurgent campaign after being non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers last winter. He joined the Chicago Cubs on a one-year, $17.5 million with a $25 million mutual option for 2024.
However, he declined his portion of the mutual option after slashing .307/.356/.525 (133 OPS+) with 26 home runs, 97 RBI, and 95 runs in 556 plate appearances. This includes a 7.2 percent walk rate, 15.7 percent strikeout rate, and a .218 ISO.
The Giants are very much in need of a center fielder and Bellinger checks that box
1. Fills Immediate Defensive Hole
The SF Giants have one of the most expansive outfields in all of baseball. This places a large emphasis on defense in both CF and RF. Since 2022, the Giants have run a platoon in CF with Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater with mixed results.
Over that time, Yaz and Slater managed 3 and 2 outs above average (OAA) in CF, respectively. Meanwhile, Bellinger has produced 11 OAA in CF since 2022 and that is while spending 59 games at 1B in 2023.
The Giants finished last season -15 in defensive runs saved, only seven teams had a lower total. Bellinger would immediately give the Giants an elite defensive CF allowing Slater and Yastrzemski to move to their more natural RF positioning while allowing Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger to split time in LF.
This would likely see an improvement in defense in both corners immediately making the Giants a much better defensive team. The addition of Cody Bellinger would not only provide the Giants with an elite CF but would set up the rest of the OF for increased defensive success.
3 reasons why the SF Giants should sign Cody Bellinger this offseason
2. Provides a Rare Combo
Something Cody Bellinger can provide is something the Giants haven't had in a long time. Last season, Bellinger finished the season with 26 HR and 20 SB.
Since 1999, only one Giant has managed a season where they hit at least 26 HR and stole 20 or more bases and that was Hunter Pence in 2013 when he finished with 27 HR and 22 SB. It took Pence 162 games to get to his total, Bellinger got to his in 130 games.
The last time the Giants had a player hit 26 HR or more and steal 20 or more bases in fewer than 130 games was Barry Bonds in 1994 when he hit 37 HR and stole 29 bases in 112 games. Bellinger provides a unique power-speed combo the Giants haven't had since a rare Pence season and prime Bonds. This would represent a massive boost in power and speed the Giants have sorely missed in their lineup since the Zaidi era began.
3. Represents a High Floor and High Ceiling
There should be no doubt that Bellinger is imperfect. He finished 2021 and 2022 with an OPS+ of 44 and 81, respectively (avg. is 100). There is an injury history as well as he missed large chunks of both of those seasons with various injuries.
Furthermore, Bellinger hit .239 and .210 in 2020 and 2022. That said, even in those seasons where he struggled to make contact he managed a 1.5 bWAR and 1.2 bWAR in each year. 2021 is the only season where Cody Bellinger finished below 1 bWAR. In 2023, the Giants had four position players finish with 1 bWAR or higher. That is Bellinger's worst years. His best years are astounding.
2019 may represent an outlier but he finished with a .305 BA, 47 HR, 15 SB, and an 8.6 bWAR with an MVP award. It is important to understand that 2019 was the year of the inflated baseballs so some of those numbers are likely bloated.
That said, Bellinger finished 2017, 2018, and 2023 with a bWAR of 3.9, 4.2, and 4.4, respectively. The last Giants outfielder to have a 3.9 bWAR or higher was Hunter Pence in 2014. Let's pretend like the 2019 season is not an outlier. The last Giants outfielder to finish with an 8.6 bWAR or higher was Bonds in 2004. Bellinger provides a combination of a floor of 1 bWAR, a median of 3.5-4.5 bWAR, and a ceiling of 8.6 bWAR. That is a range the Giants should be very interested in.