The Giants announced Monday that they’ve signed veteran infielder Nick Ahmed to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training. Ahmed, a client of Excel Sports Management, has long been a division rival of the Giants, spending his entire big league career with the D-backs until now.
San Francisco has reportedly been mulling a variety of veteran options at shortstop. Ahmed will add a glove-first option to their spring group. He’ll compete with prospect Marco Luciano, 25-year-old Casey Schmitt and 26-year-old Tyler Fitzgerald for playing time at that position. Ahmed was recently linked to the Cardinals as well, where he’d also have been competing with a young prospect (Masyn Winn) for playing time, and the Marlins before that. It’s not clear whether St. Louis or Miami ever made an offer, but that’s largely moot now that Ahmed has signed on with the Giants.
The past two seasons have been a struggle for Ahmed, a two-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop. Shoulder surgery in 2022 limited him to just 17 games, and his already modest offensive production cratered upon returning in 2023. Ahmed hit just .212/.257/.303 last year, losing playing time to Geraldo Perdomo. In September, the Diamondbacks designated Ahmed for assignment and released him. It was an unceremonious end to a 10-season tenure as Arizona’s primary shortstop, but the veteran’s dwindling role and production prompted the organization to move on.
In the five seasons prior to his shoulder surgery, Ahmed had still been below-average at the plate, but not nearly to the extent he was in ’23. From 2017-21, Ahmed tallied 2057 plate appearances and batted .242/.300/.402 (83 wRC+). As is to be expected from a right-handed hitter, he’s been far better against lefties in his career, slashing .257/.309/.430 (93 wRC+).
Ahmed offsets his lackluster offensive output by playing defense as well as virtually any player in the sport. From ’17-’21, Ahmed’s 58 Defensive Runs Saved ranked fifth among all big leaguers, regardless of position. His 87 Outs Above Average, per Statcast, tied him with Francisco Lindor for the most of any player — shortstop or otherwise — in the big leagues.
Whether Ahmed can return to those heights in the field remains to be seen, though last year’s showing in a small sample was promising. He only logged 488 innings in the field but still tallied 1 DRS, 6 OAA and a 1.6 Ultimate Zone Rating. The typically surehanded Ahmed did make an uncharacteristic eight errors in that small sample, but his range remained excellent.
Ahmed will have some youthful competition as he looks to grab a roster spot. The 22-year-old Luciano currently ranks 56th on Baseball America’s Top 100 list. He didn’t hit much in a tiny sample of 45 plate appearances during last summer’s MLB debut, however, and also struggled in Triple-A following a promotion from Double-A (where he’d struck out in 29.8% of his plate appearances). Questions about his glovework and contact profile could lead Luciano to Triple-A to begin the season.
Both Schmitt and Fitzgerald made their MLB debuts last season as well. Schmitt is a plus defender at multiple infield positions but hit just .206/.255/.324 in 277 trips to the plate during last year’s debut effort. His .300/.346/.435 slash in Triple-A was a far sight better, but he’s not yet proven himself against MLB pitching. Fitzgerald didn’t play shortstop at all in the majors last season, but that’s been his primary spot in the minors. He went just 7-for-32 in 34 MLB plate appearances but connected on a pair of homers and doubles alike. Fitzgerald popped 20 homers and swiped 29 bags in Triple-A, but scouts see him as more of a utilityman than an everyday option at shortstop, in part for defensive reasons.
Cardinals desperately need SS depth. Best player Paul Goldschmidt wants team to sign FA SS Nick Ahmed. Ahmed signs *minor league deal* with Giants. Lame.
Yeah this is a huge miss by the Cardinals.
They have to get Andrus or Crawford now. No excuses.
I can’t see Andrus taking a minor league deal, and we’re already pretty lefty heavy without Crawford.
Seems like basically the only guy left who has played significant innings at SS that might also take a minor league deal is Jean Segura. And he hasn’t played SS in years, so he’s not a good fit either.
Only guys left on the market who’ve played any decent time at shortstop the past couple of years are Elvis Andrus, Brandon Crawford, Kike Hernandez (who is probably going elsewhere) and Adalberto Mondesi.
Segura has played all of 2 games at shortstop since 2020. I would agree he would not be a good fit for the Cardinals.
Should’ve signed Jose Iglesias or Nick Ahmed months ago. Even Danny Mendick, Kevin Newman, or Ehire Adrianza would’ve sufficed as all three took minor league deals. Astonishing how proactive they were at addressing the pitching staff and how asleep at the wheel they were at addressing SS depth.
Wish granted?
Giants making tiny deals
Cause Farhan has a tiny brain.
The success or failure of the 2024 St Louis Cardinals is not dependent on the success or failure of Masyn Winn. In 2022 they won 93 games with PDJ hitting .157. In 2023 they lost 91 with PDJ hitting .233. Winn will be fine even if he isn’t. What they desperately need is improved production from Arenado, Goldy, and obviously their pitching staff. A step up for Walker and Gorman, and health from Carlson, Noot, Donovan and now Edman will go a lot further in determining how their season goes.
Yes. But the concern is what happens if Winn gets hurt. They do not seem to have a viable replacement if he blew his knee out this afternoon, for example. They do need another warm body, especially with Edman hurt and supposedly the CF this year.
Cardinals now – theoretically – should be seeing if Crawford or Andrus are willing to take a reserve role. Andrus might, but doubtful that Crawford would.
Andrus had a decent year last season. I’m surprised he’s still there. He’d be a great stopgap for someone.
If Crawford doesn’t take a reserve role, then he’s retiring.
Who would give him a starting job at his age with his performance over the last few years?
I agree.
Crawford is done, he can’t play short anymore. The giants knew this two years to when they tried to sign Correa.
Crawford knows he will only get a reserve role at this stage, and he’s played so poorly on both sides of the ball the past two years, It would be best if he retired.
He might still be able to provide some value as a reserve player.
I’m hoping Fitzgerald beats him out in spring. He has power in his swing and can play outfield. Casey should stay at AAA to get more reps so he can take over at 3rd by trade deadline. Side note, No Chapman.
Grand slam today for Tyler !
Can’t believe nobody wants Andrus. He wasn’t bad at all last season. And if Rosario and Urshela got 1.5, Andrus won’t get more than them, I wouldn’t think.
Good move for Giants, who need some more depth behind Luciano. It’s too bad that old friend Brandon Crawford couldn’t be there to transition into the older mentor to the younger up-and-comer, but I don’t blame the Giants for turning the page. Ahmed is a good guy to have around as a backup in case Luciano struggles at the MLB level.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Crawford get a role with the club. Possibly a special assistant type. He is friends with an owner…
That aged poorly.
Anaheim could use his energy to keep this moribund franchise moving along.
Giants must be looking for the glove, because every fan knows Ahmed is not the one to depend on for the clutch hit, it is just not there. But if you just want a shortstop only and not a utility player Ahmed is the glove you go to, just please don’t give him a bat.
Big question: why Ahmed and not Crawford? Makes no sense to me. 4 years younger, and that’s all. Idk sometimes giants make me wonder if they really want to add or it’s all just smoke.
Because even if they are basically the same player at this point in their careers, it’s time to rip the Crawford bandaid off. If Luciano struggles, nobody is going to be clamoring for Ahmed to take over. Wouldn’t be the case if Crawford was the backup.
Crawford probably would not take a minors deal, and not enough room on the roster on the big league club. Best case scenario is Ahmed just hanging out in AAA in case of injuries to prospects.
Maybe he wants to be remembered as the 3x AllStar and 4x Gold Glove winner on great teams in a Giants uniform. Rather than the old broken down off the bench late inning defensive replacement on a minor league deal version w/ the Giants. Better off for his legacy & image to do that elsewhere.
You could go look at games Crawford played in last year. He was slow and wasn’t making the plays he once did 2 years ago. His body is breaking down from injury and the Giants know it.
Crawford is done, Ahmed can still field.
No chance they are offering Crawford a minor league deal. Way too much respect.
He would have to do a Sandoval and request it.
The G’s winning the offseason this year.
Gdodgers, lol. I know you were being sarcastic.
los anGeles dodGers
Yes, that’s what I said. There are two G’s in Los Angeles Dodgers.
San Francisco Giants only has 1 G.
Great pickup. They need a backup with a glove in case Luciano flames out. Costs nothing, can move later if need be. No need to trade for someone.
Ahmed did a great job for the Dbacks, and was well liked. In 2023, Geraldo Perdomo forced Ahmed to backup, as Perdomo became an All-Star. Then late in the season Jordan Lawler forced Ahmed off the roster when the Dbacks preferred Lawler’s speed on the base paths and his promise of SS of the future. Doesn’t mean Ahmed was washed up, just that younger and better prospects forced their way onto the roster. Not surprised a division rival, who knows Ahmed well picked him up. Best of luck to Ahmed, except when the Giants play the Dbacks!
Really hope the Giants give all of Luciano, Schmitt and Fitzgerald long looks in 2024. Schmitt got one in 2023 but is still worth another one. Luciano has long been the blue chip prospect. Let him sink or swim in the big leagues. Fitzgerald quietly flexed with the big league club when they (finally) gave him a chance. He deserves more time.
If the Giants can stick Ahmed in AAA in case all three stink badly, great. If not, they can find some other shortstop to replace that trio (plus Otto Lopez). Ahmed may have a world class glove but his bat almost completely neutralizes it.
It’s gotten to a point that I almost feel sorry for battery chucking Giants fans. Almost.
@leftcoaster
You’re starting to seem weak. Never give your rival an inch of sympathy.
Battery chucking Giants fans? Can’t say I’m familiar with any battery chucking incidents in San Francisco, but it would be silly to generalize any fanbase by what a few morons do. If we judged thousands of people by the actions of a few nincompoops, we’d all be nincompoops
“Battery chucking” goes back to the late 70s and some wild Dodgers/Giants games at the Stick.
It says a lot that he can’t come up with any newer material than that.
Dude. Worry about yourself. Outside of a few manchild fans, the Giants are just fine.
Wow. Someone that actually to play for them.
Make real sentences much ?
Ooooh what a dig. This aggression will not stand.
Says the dude that took time to troll. Harden up, princess. If you choose to enter the arena, be prepared for aggression.
Quit with the Ebonics you old codger.
It was a legitimate question, also look up ebonics and tell me how it relates.
Imagine having a user name taken from a movie as soul-influenced as Phantom of the Paradise and then writing something like this
@Winslow Leach,
You omitted your ‘wants’. Please try/troll harder!
Wouldn’t have minded the Dodgers signing Ahmed to play in Oklahoma as the backup to Miguel Rojas.
The Giants could trade him to the Dodgers but defer his playing time at AAA to 2034.
I remember when Nick Ahmed was the top available Ss in my nl auction a few years back. He went around 20 bucks and sunk it up. This is Luciano’s job baring injury. Give the giants fans a silver lining on this season and just play the kid.
At the pace Stearns is going for the Mets, I can’t believe he let this one slip away. Spring training is right now a walk-on to see who of the 125 minor league contract signings will stick.
Wish Nick Ahmed nothing but the best. Hope he has a great year and winds up on a 26-man roster again.
Good low key move and insurance policy on the up and comers
If San Fran is good enough for Ahmed, it’s good enough for JD.
Weak hitting, downside of prime years of 2018-19 even then he hit .251 at best and under 19 home runs. His defense has slipped some notches still serviceable just dont see a need here unless they think they got absolute zero prospects.