MLB Rumors: Nick Markakis Is a Perfect Fit For San Francisco Giants
By John Shea
@real_johnshea
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco Giants have yet to pull the trigger on a free agent acquisition this offseason, but they could be on the verge of busting open the checkbook. According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Giants are reportedly one of four teams that have substantial interest in veteran outfielder Nick Markakis.
Markakis has played in at least 147 games in eight of nine big league seasons. He’s slashed a career .290/.358/.435 batting line while averaging 17 home runs per season. Markakis also flaunts a solid glove, recording a .994 fielding percentage en route to two Gold Glove awards. The combination of Markakis’ hitting prowess and strong outfield defense makes him a perfect fit for the Giants, an organization which prides itself in playing fundamentally sound baseball.
For the Giants, Markakis would be an upgrade over defensive liability Michael Morse, who’s also extremely injury prone. Morse missed 74 games with a wrist injury in 2013 and was also sidelined for the final month of the 2014 campaign with an oblique strain. His power is undoubtedly an asset, but his severe lack of outfield range makes him a less than ideal for San Francisco’s spacious outfield, despite being beloved by teammates and fans. Ironically, the Baltimore Orioles have displayed interest in Morse, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).
The Giants’ top two priorities this offseason are unofficially etched in stone: The club needs to bolster its starting rotation, hence the Jon Lester rumors, and also replace Pablo Sandoval‘s offensive production, which will likely occur in the outfield. The Giants appear more apt to plugging a stopgap at third base in the upcoming season, and given the lack of suitable replacement options on the open market, they could resort to a platoon consisting of Matt Duffy and Joaquin Arias at the hot corner.
The hypothetical additions of Lester and Markakis could very well fill out the Giants’ capacity for big spending this offseason, considering the club has tendered contracts to all arbitration eligible players. This includes Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford, who could be in the mix for sizable pay increases and potential long-term contracts.
Signing Markakis to a contract in the range of four years, $65 million would be ideal for the Giants. That deal would result in an annual average value of $16.25 million and would also lift the contracts of both Markakis and Hunter Pence following the 2018 season. The addition of Markakis would also bolster the Giants’ bench, because it would allow Gregor Blanco to readopt a reserve role.
The Giants’ interest in both Lester and Markakis indicates the club is ready to spend, but whether they’re able to convince both free agents to play for a city that has won three titles in five years remains to be seen.
John Shea is an MLB writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @real_johnshea. Like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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