Giants Trade for Hunter Pence

By Kalen Patrick

In the closing hours before the trade deadline arrived, the Giants loaded up the Outfield with a trade for Hunter Pence. In the trade the Giants sent OF Nate Schierholtz, prospects C/1B Tommy Joseph and P Seth Rosen. Ultimately I think this was a great deal for the Giants and I will explain why.

Tommy Joseph was the Giants Number 2 prospect, however, the Giants have great depth at that position with Buster Posey, Hector Sanchez at C, Belt at 1B, so he was definitely expendable. Schierholtz will never be better than a 4th OF at best. His hitting is very sporadic although he does have a rocket of an arm and he moves well so he was solid defensively. The Giants have Gregor Blanco who is a better player than Nate, I really don't see the Giants missing him too much.

GIANTS NEW RF - HUNTER PENCE

Now on to the man of the hour, Hunter Pence. He immediately has by far the best power numbers on the Giants now. Pence has 17 HR's on the year and the closest to that is Posey who has 13. Pence can be the big bat the Giants have sorely needed, especially with Pablo Sandoval missing significant time this season. Not only this, but Pence is a career .290 hitter, although he is only at .271 right now, he is due to get hot and surprisingly with the Giants he has much better protection in the lineup with Melky Cabrera, Buster Posey and soon Sandoval will be back.

Having Cabrera, Posey, Pence and Sandoval one after another is pretty scary, then add in solid hitters like Angel Pagan, Marco Scutaro and Brandon Belt around that and you got yourself a good lineup. For the Giants to compete with the Dodgers and make the playoffs the pitching, especially the relief pitching must do a better job. Yes I'm talking about you Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla.

Over and Out.