3 reasons why the SF Giants should sign Cody Bellinger this offseason

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.