The San Francisco Giants have strengthened their outfield roster by acquiring outfielder Joey Wiemer from the Miami Marlins in exchange for cash considerations. The trade was announced on the morning of March 15, 2024, as the Giants continue to enhance their depth in this critical area.
In a separate move, the Giants designated catcher Andrew Knizner for assignment ahead of the non-tender deadline later that evening. MLB Trade Rumors projected that Knizner would earn approximately $1.3 million in arbitration. The decision to part ways with Knizner comes as the Giants look to reshape their roster for the upcoming season.
Wiemer, 26, was recently designated for assignment by the Marlins after a brief stint with the team. He has played over parts of three major-league seasons, also spending time with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. Throughout his career, Wiemer has participated in 180 major-league games, posting a batting average of .205 and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .638, with 16 home runs and 12 stolen bases.
Success in 2023
During the 2023 season, Wiemer showed flashes of success while with the Brewers, hitting 13 home runs and stealing 11 bases across 132 games. His value, however, largely stems from his defensive capabilities. Over 178 games in the outfield, Wiemer has recorded 11 defensive runs saved and +7 outs above average. According to Baseball Savant, he ranked in the 86th percentile for arm strength last year, demonstrating his potential to enhance the Giants’ outfield defense.
The Giants currently have an extensive group of outfielders on their 40-man roster, totaling ten players. This roster includes notable names such as Jung Hoo Lee, Heliot Ramos, Justin Dean, Jerar Encarnacion, Drew Gilbert, Marco Luciano, Luis Matos, Grant McCray, and Wade Meckler. The addition of Wiemer and the recent claim of Dean off waivers address the Giants’ defensive shortcomings from the previous season, where their outfielders ranked last in the majors for outs above average at -18, while also finishing with the third-fewest defensive runs saved at -21.
Future Decisions
With Knizner’s departure, the Giants must now decide whether to tender contracts to right-hander JT Brubaker and left-hander Joey Lucchesi before the non-tender deadline. Projections indicate that Brubaker and Lucchesi could each receive around $2.1 million and $2 million in arbitration, respectively.
Looking ahead, catcher Jesus Rodriguez, acquired in the trade involving pitcher Camilo Doval, emerges as the primary candidate to serve as Patrick Bailey’s backup catcher next season. The Giants are expected to seek additional catching depth as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
As the Giants continue to refine their roster, the focus remains on improving both offensive and defensive performance, particularly in the outfield, as they aim to contend in the highly competitive Major League Baseball landscape.
