The Giants have agreed to a minor-league deal to bring back infielder Gordon Beckham, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). He’ll earn at a $1.25MM annual rate if he cracks the MLB roster, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets.
Beckham, 30, landed in San Francisco late last year — September 27th — as the team sought to bolster its depth down the stretch. Though he didn’t manage a hit in six plate appearances, and wasn’t eligible for the postseason, he left a good impression on the organization, per Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area (via Twitter).
Before that, Beckham turned in a .217/.300/.354 batting line in his 273 plate appearances with the Braves, who had signed him to a one-year deal last winter. The former first-round draft pick had spent the vast bulk of his career to that point with the White Sox, though he also had a brief stint with the Angels.
For the Giants, Beckham figures to enter a camp battle for roster spots and playing time in the infield. Though Joe Panik will likely command the bulk of the reps at second, he did struggle against left-handed pitching last year. And there’s plenty up for grabs at third, with Eduardo Nunez perhaps best suited to a utility role. Beckham could end up jockeying for position with fellow right-handed hitter Jae-gyun Hwang, with lefty swinging Conor Gillaspie also representing a factor.
I still wish Beckham was a pitcher so that I could compliment his curveball: “No one can bend it like Beckham”
He hasn’t pitched since probably high school he never was a pitcher
….Did you hear a whooshing sound when that went over your head?
Google “Bend it like Beckham” as I think you missed the joke. Bad joke, yes, but a joke.
I thought it was pretty funny.
Another ‘but why though’ move from the Giants. Pretty much cornered the market.
As much as I say ‘meh’ and question it, their “throw sh*t against the wall and see what sticks” strategy has worked surprisingly well in the past.
Why though? Because it is a minor league signing with very little impact on the budget if he makes the club. If he makes it, great. He goes to the bench. If he doesn’t make it, great. He’ll go to AAA. There is very little risk in this signing.
White Sox could have got Adrian Gonzalez for Beckham after his rookie year. Should of made that trade Kenny
Agreed CHW should have cashed in on Beckham, like Giants cashed in on Duffy.
I just wish Giants had cashed in after Cain’s Perfect Game
He put up an .800+ OPS in his first season (103 games) after being a top draft pick out of college while playing a solid third base (and could play a good second base as well). Nobody could’ve predicted that he’d fall off a cliff after that. Once pitchers found out his weaknesses, he could never make the necessary adjustments. He’d show flashes, and then he’d revert back to old form shortly after. It sucks, but it happens. As much as I dislike Kenny, I don’t blame him for holding onto Beckham after that first year.
Really, it’s not too dissimilar to what the Astros/Braves/Nats are doing (or not doing) this offseason with Bregman/Swanson/Turner… If those 3 suck next year, I’m sure their teams/fans will regret not moving them while their value is high too. But as it stands, nobody is blaming them for holding onto their young talent at this point.
Overkill with infielders…… How about a outfielder
Beckham a very popular player with Giants. After season ended
Grr. Posey went in and asked for Beckham to be resigned. Other guys wanted him as well. Great all-around influence, bench guy and mentor. Very popular with teammates!!
He is a former teammate of Samardzija, Peavy and Conor Gillaspie. During summer way back in Cape Cod league, Beckham and Posey played together and became buds.