Panik out: Emotions flow as as infielder departs.
The emotions were real, as they are whenever longterm relationships cease because of a business decision.
The Giants designated Joe Panik for assignment Tuesday, ending a sixseason run for the second baseman that included a World Series championship, countless eyepopping defensive plays and one of the best contact rates in the game.
Pablo Sandoval said only, “I feel bad, I feel sad.” Brandon Belt said he’ll miss the daily exchanges: “Taking jabs at each other is something I’ll never forget.”
But for Brandon Crawford, the void is the most significant. They were doubleplay partners and buddies since 2014.
Panik’s fate was sealed at last Wednesday’s trade deadline when the Giants acquired Scooter Gennett from Cincinnati and second baseman of the future Mauricio Dubon from Milwaukee. Utilityman Donovan Solano can provide flexibility that Panik didn’t.
As a result, the championship era continues to lose its pieces. Just five players remain who won World Series rings: Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Crawford, Belt and Sandoval.
“That’s tough because you’re losing a guy I played up the middle with for (six) years and was a big part of our team,” Crawford said. “On top of that, he became a good friend and a great teammate.
“That part’s obviously tough. Probably one of the tougher parts of this business. The longer you’re in it, the more you’re going to see stuff like that. It’s definitely tough to lose somebody like Joe.”
Panik, 28, was the Giants’ top draft pick in 2011 out of St. John’s and made his majorleague debut June 21, 2014, just in time for the Giants’ third World Series run in five years.
Panik’s diving stop and backhanded flip to Crawford led to a momentumturning double play in Game 7, probably his signature moment, but his resume includes a slew of key plays and clutch hits that made him the primary second baseman despite injuries that detoured his career.
This year, however, Panik was hitting .235 with a .310 onbase percentage and careerlow .627 OPS. The Giants could afford to hold onto him after the deadline because they were using a fourman rotation. Once a fifth starter was needed (Conner Menez was promoted Tuesday), Panik was the odd man out.
“Unfortunate. I love Joe to death,” Belt said. “We wish him the best of luck. I’m hoping he can go to a little better hitterfriendly ballpark and tear it up and show people what he could do, because he’s a very good ballplayer.”
Panik received the news after Monday’s game from Bochy and president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. Several players hung out with Panik, who informed the Giants he wouldn’t accept an assignment to TripleA Sacramento, as was his contractual right.
Thus, he’ll be heading to another team.
“He was obviously upset, but I think in a way also excited to see what’s next, see what other opportunities he has,” Crawford said. “I’m sure he’ll get one. He’s still a really good player who deserves a chance somewhere.”
In a text to The Chronicle, Panik said, “I had a feeling this might have been coming but never know in this game.”
In a statement, he thanked Giants executives, Bochy, teammates and fans and added, “Nothing has driven me more than winning here in San Francisco. I am forever grateful for the Giants taking the chance on me and allowing me to live out my lifelong dream. It is time for me to start the next chapter in my career. But in my heart, I will always be a Giant.”
Zaidi doesn’t have much history with Panik but said he has appreciated his play over the years and compared him to Chase Utley as someone who puts his team ahead of individual play.
“I probably don’t have the license to say this as much as some of the guys who’ve been teammates with him for a long time, and Boch and some of the coaches,” Zaidi said, “but he’s been one of my favorite players over the last few years, watching him from across the way and being with him this year.”
Bochy spoke of the emotions shared with Panik during Monday night’s talk and said, “He’ll be playing somewhere, and I’ll always be pulling for Joe. I can’t thank him enough for all he did here for us.”