ODD MAN OUT?
McCutchen sits amid rumors Giants want to trade him to play younger outfielders
NEW YORK >> The Giants entered Wednesday’s game with the lowest batting average (.220) and the worst slugging percentage (.312) in the National League during the month of August, and elected to play with their top power hitter on the bench.
But while manager Bruce Bochy said he just wanted to give Andrew McCutchen a “much-needed” day of rest, the off day was anything but typical for the Giants right fielder.
McCutchen didn’t make an appearance during the Giants’ 5-3 loss to the Mets, but he was spotted at the top step of the dugout in full uniform at the start of the game. It was the first time McCutchen was seen at Citi Field Wednesday as he was not available to reporters in the visiting clubhouse prior to the game and did not take pregame batting practice with the Giants.
His afternoon absence fueled speculation the Giants were looking to execute a waiver wire trade for McCutchen, but according to a report from The Athletic, McCutchen went unclaimed on revocable waivers.
“I’m not on the same team that I was for the same amount of years that I was with the Pirates,” McCutchen, who was acquired by the Giants in January, said. “It makes it a little easier when something like this happens and when your name pops up.”
Though 29 clubs passed on an opportu-
nity to acquire McCutchen, the Giants can still trade the pending free agent through the August 31 waiver deadline.
“I have a better chance understanding trigonometry,” McCutchen said of the complicated waiver process.
Trading the right fielder could free up opportunities for San Francisco to evaluate young, homegrown outfielders in starting roles in September, including Austin Slater who finished with two hits and his first home run of the season Wednesday.
Slater was one of only a few bright spots for the Giants (62-66), who guaranteed a losing trip and fell four games below .500 for the first time since May 30.
“We’ve got a few guys as you know that are in a hitting funk right now,” Bochy said. “We are seeing good pitching but it’s going to take us to come out of this to get things rolling.”
Slater’s solo shot to lead off the seventh inning cut the Mets’ 4-2 lead in half, but the early advantage New York staked out was too difficult to overcome for the Giants.
The Mets scored three runs in the second against Giants starter Casey Kelly including two unearned runs after shortstop Brandon Crawford committed his second error of the game. Crawford misplayed a two-out grounder hit by Mets right fielder Jose Bautista, which extended the inning for rookie second baseman Jeff McNeil.
McNeil’s single on a 3-0 pitch marked his seventh hit in seven at-bats against the Giants in the series and
set the table for Todd Frazier who doubled home a run.
“I just need to make better pitches with two strikes,” Kelly said. “Frazier got me in the gap with two strikes. There’s some positives to take out of this but at the end of the day I’ve just got to get better.”
Kelly made his second start for the Giants and lasted six innings while allowing just two earned runs in an outing that could earn him an opportunity to pitch again even after rookie Dereck Rodríguez returns from the disabled list Friday.
“I’m just going to go about my business every day and try to get better for my next start or come out of the pen, whatever they need me to do,” Kelly said. “In September, everything else will take care of itself.”
The Giants began an immediate comeback bid as Slater led off the third inning against Noah Syndergaard with a single and scored on a groundout by fellow rookie Steven Duggar. A Joe Panik RBI single cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Mets led the rest of the night.
Because the Giants are now free to trade McCutchen to any team, Slater, Duggar and top hitting prospect Chris Shaw could earn extended time in the outfield in September if general manager Bobby Evans is able to execute a deal. Failing to trade McCutchen before the waiver deadline could stunt the development of the Giants’ younger talent as the team may be less inclined to audition outfielders in starting roles if McCutchen continues to play in right field.
• Right-hander Jeff Samardzija began another rehab assignment Wednesday as he attempts to return from a shoulder injury that has forced him to the disabled list three separate times this season.
Samardzija threw four scoreless innings and allowed one hit for Double-A Richmond and is expected to make one additional rehab start before returning to the Giants rotation.