Austin Wynns could have left the Giants when they designated him for assignment in January. But instead, the veteran catcher chose to get outrighted rather than test free agency, demonstrating loyalty to a franchise that hadn’t done anything special to earn it.
“This was in my heart,” Wynns said on Feb. 28. “I was just like, you know what, I want to be a Giant still. I’m happy they wanted me back.”
Wynns performed well in spring training — in a four-man race for three roster spots — but nonetheless found himself the odd-man out. Roberto Pérez, Joey Bart and Blake Sabol made the Opening Day roster.
“I did everything that I can,” Wynns, 31, told KNBR on March 26.
Then when the Giants needed him, with Bart and Pérez simultaneously on the injured list, Wynns got another chance at the bigs. He played one game before getting designated for assignment once again.
This time, after clearing waivers, Wynns elected free agency. The five-year veteran signed Major League deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending his tenure in San Francisco.
Wynns, 32, played 66 games with the Giants. He was often lauded for his game-calling instincts and ability to manage the pitching staff. Late last season, some pitchers — most notably Carlos Rodón — preferred working with Wynns over Bart.
With the Dodgers, Wynns has an immediate chance to contribute as starter Will Smith is on the concussion IL.
In his Giants career, Wynns hit .256 with a .663 OPS. He went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in his final game with the club.
San Francisco’s catching situation has been muddled this season. Pérez, the Opening Day starter, is out for the season due to rotator cuff surgery on his throwing shoulder. Bart has missed time with a back injury but has swung the bat well in his limited sample. Sabol is still learning the position at the highest level, but has the added security of the Rule 5 Draft designation; the Giants believe in Sabol’s potential and will try to avoid having to return him to Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, veteran Gary Sánchez is in the organization and will likely make his season debut this month.
They were all above of Wynns on the pecking order.
Wynns’ ceiling was always lower than the Giants’ other options. But the club had promised him a chance to compete for playing time while maneuvering to prevent that possibility.
A day after Wynns made his season debut, the Giants DFA’d him again. It was always Wynns’ fate. Now he may get the chance to stick it to his former team as a rival.