Top 3 non-tender players that the SF Giants should sign

Top 3 non-tender players that the SF Giants should sign

3. Outfielder Rafael Ortega

Rafael Ortega may not be a name that resonates with many Giants fans but his profile is one that likely appeals to the front office. The Chicago Cubs non-tendered the 31-year-old outfielder rather than pay a projected $1.7 million salary for 2023.

The left-handed bat has appeared in parts of six seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, and the Cubs. His most extensive experiences has come for a rebuilding Cubs team, but he performed adequately during that time.

In two seasons with Chicago, Ortega has slashed .265/.344/.409 (108 OPS+) with 18 home runs, 68 RBI, and 79 runs in 701 plate appearances. He posted a really strong 121 OPS+ in 2021, but followed this up with a less-than-stellar 95 OPS+ last year.

During his time with the Cubs, the six-year veteran recorded a very strong 10.6 percent walk rate against a 20.5 percent strikeout rate. That type of mix between plate discipline and contact skills is the type of skill that the Giants target with position players. Plus, he has a 29.7 percent chase rate as a major leaguer, so he does not expand the strike zone that often.

The Giants could use help in the outfield. Ortega has been an average outfielder with the glove but with slightly better marks in right field. The Giants' defense struggled to badly in 2022, that a league-average glove would be a considerable improvement.