SF Giants News: Veteran left-handed bat becomes a free agent after clearing waivers

The SF Giants designated Matt Beaty for assignment last week to activate Luke Jackson from the injured list. They confirmed that the veteran bat cleared waivers and elected free agency.

SF Giants News: Veteran left-handed bat becomes a free agent after clearing waivers

It is not a surprising decision for Beaty. The 30-year-old likely wants to see a path to playing time and that is just not the case with San Francisco.

He plays primarily left field and right field with the former being his better position. The Giants have too many options in the outfield on the major league roster, including Mitch Haniger, Michael Conforto, Austin Slater, Blake Sabol, and Mike Yastrzemski. Plus, they have both Bryce Johnson and Brett Wisely as depth options.

And, Luis Matos is tearing up Triple-A pitching while he waits for his first opportunity. For Beaty, there were just too many names in front of him on the 40-man roster.

That is not entirely his fault as the Giants swung a last-minute trade to acquire the corner outfield bat from the Kansas City Royals prior to the start of the season. He was immediately added to the 40-man roster and added to the Opening Day roster.

It was a surprise since he was not slated to make the Royals' roster. Plus, he temporarily blocked Johnson from being added back to the 40-man roster.

Perhaps, the Giants saw him as a potential platoon option against right-handed pitching. The lefty bat has slashed .251/.323/.410 with a 7.2 percent walk rate against a 16.2 percent strikeout rate. That type of production would not do well in the middle of the order, but could be a tough out lower in the lineup.

However, that skill set likely became redundant with the emergence of Blake Sabol, who bats from the left side as well and has a .760 OPS with seven home runs in 151 plate appearances. Beaty did appear briefly with the Giants, recording one hit in five at-bats. Plus, he completed one inning on the mound in a blowout against the Chicago White Sox.

Beaty should have no problem landing his next gig as he tallied an .853 OPS with four home runs in 129 Triple-A plate appearances this year.