Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Ohtani have been the two names at the center of every discussion and report regarding the Giants offseason thus far. This of course makes sense, as Stanton is the reigning NL MVP and Ohtani is being tabbed as a generational talent on the mound, that can also hit well enough to be an everyday player. Landing either would be franchise altering for the Giants, and just about anyone else.
But coming off a 98 loss season, the Giants have more than just one or two holes to fill. At the very least, San Francisco needs to add a third baseman, a couple relievers and another outfielder even if they land the likes of Stanton. Acquiring an outfielder that can also lead off would kill two birds with one stone, and that’s exactly what Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow endorsed to when asked about the possibility of the Giants replacing Denard Span with free agent centerfielder Lorenzo Cain.
“He’s an intriguing option for centerfield,” Krukow said of Cain on Murph & Mac. “They’ve got some decisions to make regarding the outfield. We’re all completely absorbed right now with Stanton, but the bigger question I think if you’re a pitcher is the defense in centerfield. You know Denard Span’s range it was less than what we’ve seen before in previous seasons, and that happens to an older player, but the Giants need to fix that, and Lorenzo Cain certainly is an option.”
Cain, 31, is coming off another stellar season with the Royals where he finished with a line of .300/.363/.440 while playing solid defense and stealing 26 bases. Cain also wouldn’t be too expensive, with Spotrac estimating his market value at $17.1 million per year. Though not a traditional leadoff hitter, Cain would give the Giants the best combination of speed and contact they’ve had in years at the top of the order.
Listen to the full interview below, to hear Kurkow’s comments on Cain, start from the beginning.