Jackson provides depth in outfield
3rd hitter added this offseason
The Giants found a center fielder at a relatively low price Monday, agreeing to a twoyear, $6 million contract with free agent Austin Jackson.
Jackson, who turns 31 on Feb. 1, is the third experienced hitter the Giants have added to a lineup that struggled mightily last season. They also traded for third baseman Evan Longoria, 32, and outfielder Andrew McCutchen, 31.
A priority after the 98-loss season was improving the outfield defense, and Jackson made one of the most memorable catches of 2017, flipping over the wall of the bullpen in right-center at Fenway Park to rob Hanley Ramirez. Jackson figures to be an upgrade over Denard Span, who was sent to Tampa Bay in the Longoria deal.
Jackson also could fill a hole at leadoff after hitting .318 with seven homers and a
.387 on-base percentage in 85 games for Cleveland.
Giants general manager Bobby Evans called Jackson a “talented and versatile player who will strengthen our roster and provide additional depth at all three outfield positions.”
The Giants are getting no younger — once Belt turns 30 in April, the only player in the projected lineup in his 20s will be Joe Panik, no spring chicken himself at age 27 — but they anticipate a more potent offense and better defense.
McCutchen will be the right fielder with Hunter Pence moving from right to left.
Bringing Jackson aboard could allow the Giants to return Steven Duggar, a 24year-old center-field prospect, to Triple-A Sacramento and ease him into the majors at some point in the summer.
Jackson was an everyday player his first six seasons in the majors but played 54 and 85 games his past two seasons. He was on the disabled list twice in 2017 with toe and quadriceps injuries.
Jackson’s two-year contract will keep him around in 2019 after McCutchen’s and Pence’s contracts have expired.
Jackson, who has played for the Tigers, Mariners, Cubs, White Sox and Indians, is a .275 career hitter — .279 against righties, .267 against lefties — and was particularly effective last season against lefties: .352.
He made 38 starts in center, 29 in left and 12 in right. In his career, he has made 888 starts in center and 49 in the corners.
The contract calls for a $3 million guarantee each season plus as much as $2.5 million in incentives — $1 million extra in 2019 based on 2018 performance, plus $1.5 million extra based on 2019 performance — making the total contract worth as much as $8.5 million.
The Giants remain under the $197 million luxury-tax threshold, but not by much. Their next focus is pitching depth, in both the rotation and bullpen, but they can’t spend significantly on a pitcher without exceeding the threshold and facing penalties as a four-time offender.