Eduardo Nunez was a member of the San Francisco Giants for less than a calendar year.
But based on the reactions of Nunez, his teammates and Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy to the news that the team’s starting third baseman was traded to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday evening, the impact Nunez had was immense.
Though Nunez endured 102 games of what’s shaping up to be one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the news that he was heading to a contending ballclub was hardly enough to lift his spirits on Tuesday.
“You know, that’s sad,” Nunez said after Tuesday evening’s 11-3 Giants’ win. “That’s sad. You leave your family, you leave your teammates. And they didn’t even tell me where I was going. I was back here.”
When Nunez departed the dugout in the fifth inning of Tuesday’s contest, he had yet to learn where he was headed. After the game, though Nunez expressed excitement about joining a Red Sox team fighting for an American East title. Still, when asked whether he would consider returning to San Francisco this offseason when he becomes a free agent, Nunez didn’t hesitate.
“I would love to,” Nunez said. “I would love to. I have said multiple times, I love the organization, I love the group, the players, the staff, the fans, the city and we look forward. But we have to concentrate now and win this championship in Boston.”
Over the course of a year, Nunez quickly became one of Bochy’s favorite players, in large part because of the versatile production Nunez provided but also because of the life and energy he brought to a struggling ballclub. When the Giants began the day on Tuesday, they started a season-high 25 games below .500 and 31.5 games back of the first-place Dodgers in the National League West.
Nevertheless, Nunez carried a .307 batting average into the final week of July, and a smile and laugh that Bochy often praised amidst a dark season.
“Eduardo, I mean, just did a nice job for us,” Bochy said. “He was a lot of fun to have around on the club. He’s very talented and that’s why a lot of clubs wanted him. He can run, he’s a good hitter, he can play anywhere. Shortstop, third base, outfield. So he was getting a lot of calls. So I’m going to miss him. This guy was exciting, he gave me a lot of options with his versatility but just a fun guy. He played the game with a passion, was always laughing, smiling in the dugout, having fun with guys. So we’ll miss him. We really thought a lot of him and we wished him the best. Told him that when I had to take him out there and send him upstairs here. Great job he did for us.”
Bochy also didn’t close the door on a possible reunion with Nunez in 2018, who would provide the Giants with value because he can play any spot in the infield and also made appearances in both corner outfield spots for San Francisco this season.
“This is that time of year and you spend a lot of time with each other and it’s not easy for these guys,” Bochy said. “They know that something was probably going to happen. Especially with Nuni. They were kidding him everyday. You still here? You still here? But you know, he’s going to a place, going to a very good ballclub, he’s got a chance to get to the postseason, so I’m happy for him and he’ll help that ballclub and I can tell you that so hopefully our paths will cross again.”
After Tuesday’s game, starter Madison Bumgarner said Giants’ management will continue to do what’s best for the organization, and wished Nunez luck in his pursuit of a pennant in Boston. Still, even the Giants’ ace mentioned a possible return, and said how the team enjoyed having Nunez around the clubhouse.
“Well, he’s obviously a great player for us,” Bumgarner said. “But you know, this organization has got to do what they think is best to help us not only now but in the future and look out for the San Francisco Giants’ best interest. So that’s what they did. We all enjoyed having Nuni here and he was great for us and who knows, he might be back. But right now, he’s going to Boston and best of luck to him and that’s good for him to go and get in another playoff race.”