The Morse the Merrier

Giants find their slugger in Morse - The last time we checked up on the San Francisco Giants following their free-agent signing of pitcher Tim Hudson as well as the re-signing of reliever Javier Lopez, the club still had high hopes of acquiring a power-hitting left-fielder to add to their busy offseason. On Monday, the Giants were able to complete their Christmas shopping a little early, agreeing to terms with the 31 year old, right-handed Michael Morse. Better known for his stint with the Washington Nationals, Morse split his 2013 campaign with the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles where he posted a .215 batting average with 13 home runs and 27 RBI before undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist in mid-October. Pending a physical, the deal is reportedly worth $5 Million with incentives over one year.

Though coming off an injury, Morse is more than capable of supplying the Giants with the power bat in left field they so desperately need. After watching his team finish last in the Majors among left fielders in runs, home runs and OPS, Giants skipper Bruce Bochy and general manager Brian Sabean are hoping they've found a solution to that problem with the acquisition of Morse. In 2011 while with the Nats, Morse had a breakout year in which he hit .303 with 31 home runs, 95 RBI and an OPS of .910. Morse saw his numbers regress the following season but he still managed to produce quite well despite missing the first few months with back problems. Whether or not those numbers will translate to the pitcher-friendly AT&T Park is yet to be seen but in the limited action he's had in San Francisco as a visitor, Morse has hit .316 (6-for-19) with three doubles, a homer and four ribbies. While he won't likely be a guy making highlight reel catches day in and day out, Morse should hold his out in left field and can provide a security blanket at first base if and when Brandon Belt needs a day off. 

With Morse expected to be the everyday left fielder, joining an outfield that consists of Angel Pagan in center and Hunter Pence out in right, Gregor Blanco should still see frequent action as a late-inning substitute. Granted the deal is only for one year, the Giants won't be obligated to hang onto Morse past 2014 if the signing doesn't work out. But if it does, both sides will win as Morse looks to bounce back meanwhile Sabean hopes to have found a diamond in the rough given how thin the market has been for outfielders this offseason. Still in need of another arm or two to add to the Giants' bullpen, this will likely be the last move on the offensive side of things by Sabean and company before spring training. 


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