“We expect
Eduardo Nunez has been one of the few bright spots for the San Francisco Giants during their abysmal start to the 2017 season. Nunez has put together a .299 / .323 / .413 line, while also leading the team with 17 stolen bases, good for fifth most in the major leagues.
The third-baseman, who was an All-Star with the Minnesota Twins last season, is slated to become a free agent next year, and was asked by reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game if he has any plans on sticking with the last place Giants beyond 2017. Nunez seemed optimistic.
“We expect to win,” Nunez told Andrew Baggarly of the Bay Area News Group. “We have these type of players. For every tough moment, we’re still good. It’s been all of the players slumping at the same time. It’s unbelievable. But I hope yes. I hope yes (to return next year). I really like the team. I really like the group we have here. I like how they treat me here. It’s first class, everything, the coaches – they’re all unbelievable.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Nunez believes the Giants still have to talent to be a contender in the immediate future. Nunez said he wants to surround himself with other great players.
“When you’re around a lot of great players, you want to be better,” Nunez said. “With (Brandon) Crawford, these guys don’t make errors. You want to make all the plays that they do. They make you work to get better. I came up with the Yankees. (Derek) Jeter, (Mariano) Rivera, (Andy) Pettitte, all those guys talk about is winning. That’s what I want to do. I love it here. We can win, and if not this year, then next year.
The question is, will the Giants want to sell out the cash to bring Nunez back next season, especially with top prospect Christian Arroyo waiting in the wings. That remains to be seen, but at the very least manager Bruce Bochy seems to be a fan of the eight-year veteran.
“He’s a good athlete and he’s a lot of fun to be around, has a great sense of humor,” Bochy said. “He plays the game with passion. He worked hard to play left field and he has what you love in a good athlete. He runs well, he’ll steal a base, he has some pop, he has a good arm and he’s a good defender.”