SF Giants reportedly eyeing power-hitting outfielder according to MLB insider

While much of the legwork for this offseason is complete, the SF Giants could have one more move to make. Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Giants are eyeing power-hitting outfielder Randal Grichuk.

SF Giants reportedly eyeing power-hitting outfielder according to MLB insider

The Pittsburgh Pirates are another team listed as a potential suitor in that report. Grichuk would bolster the Giants' bench and add a much-needed fourth outfielder to the mix.

The Giants current outfield alignment will be left-handed heavy with Jung Hoo Lee and Mike Yastrzemski in center field and right field, respectively. The right-handed-hitting Heliot Ramos will hold down left field after an impressive All-Star campaign in 2024.

The Giants could use another right-handed bat in the outfield and Grichuk checks that box. Earlier this month, we looked at the internal options for the fourth outfielder role. Each player brings something to the table, but no one hits from the right side and can capably play center field.

Typically, the fourth outfielder can handle all three outfield positions. In that sense, Grant McCray makes the most sense but he will need to bring down his 43.1 percent strikeout rate.

On the other hand, Grichuk is capable both offensively and defensively. The righty bat is coming off one of his best years where he slashed .291/.348/.528 (139 wRC+) with 12 home runs, 46 RBI, and 40 runs in 279 plate appearances for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This includes a 7.2 percent walk rate, 16.5 percent strikeout rate, and .236 ISO.

Grichuk has reached double-digit home runs every season since 2015, so he brings modest power to the table. While his .875 OPS in 2024 was well above his career mark of .768, he is still a quality hitter if he cannot repeat last season's production.

In the field, Grichuk only saw time in the corners with the Diamondbacks but he has considerable experience at all three outfield positions. The defensive metrics are no longer as favorable of his work with the glove as they once were but he continues to be fine in the corners and below average in center field. That is often the tradeoff you can make with his type of bat.

Of course, the Giants will want to thread the needle between upgrading the bench and not blocking playing time for someone like Luis Matos. Bob Melvin does not leverage the bench as aggressively as many other managers, so does adding a veteran player like Grichuk make sense? He would certainly make the bench better but is he the right type of fit?