David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
It would be an adjustment, but is the lure of Yasiel Puig starting to rival the antipathy for Yasiel Puig?
For Mike Krukow it is at least.
The Giants broadcaster is coming around on the polarizing right fielder, who’s still on the free-agent market as the Giants continue to look for a power-hitting corner outfielder.
“He’s energy. He’s strength,” Krukow told Dieter Kurtenbach and Bonnie-Jill Laflin on KNBR on Thursday, before referencing The Chronicle’s Henry Schulman’s argument for Puig. “Here’s a guy that’s got some credentials, got some power, got a great arm. How much fun would it be to watch that arm in right field?”
A lot of fun, although Farhan Zaidi — who has a Dodgers past that involves Puig — would more be targeting his bat. The Giants have been open about wanting to acquire more outfield power, and Puig’s right-handed bat and 20-homer-plus expectations would fit nicely. Puig, now 29, slashed .267/.327/.458 with 19 home runs and 19 steals last season, split between Cincinnati and Cleveland.
But there’s another factor that would interest Krukow, for a Giants team that isn’t expected to contend and could use any marketing boost possible.
“But he would also face Madison Bumgarner six times,” Krukow said of the new Diamondbacks starter. “The uniforms would be different, but it would be the same thing. It would be interesting to see how Giants fans would take to that matchup. … I thought that was intriguing.”
Other options include Nicholas Castellanos, Steven Souza Jr. and a flood of trade candidates, including Wil Myers.