The San Francisco Giants are across the country in New York to kick off the 2023 season, but that hasn't stopped them from making an Opening Day roster move that has some effect on Los Angeles Dodgers fans.
At the buzzer, right before SF's opener against the Yankees, the Giants announced their roster with a surprise addition thanks to a last-minute trade.
Former Dodger Matt Beaty is now a Giant after San Francisco acquired him in a deal with the Kansas City Royals. And get this ... he'll be the team's fourth outfielder! What in the world is happening with the Giants?!
Last we heard from Beaty, the Dodgers sent him to the Padres in exchange for pitching prospect River Ryan. Beaty didn't last long in San Diego, then ended up with the Royals after being designated for assignment again.
He tore it up this spring, though, hitting .343 with a 1.007 OPS, two homers and seven RBI across 35 at-bats. Not completely surprising, because that's kind of how it's gone for the 29-year-old.
Former Dodgers Matt Beaty is now a San Francisco Giant
Though Beaty's performances in 2019 and 2021 weren't bad, they didn't necessarily move the needle. He was barely above average from an OPS+ standpoint and wasn't good on the defensive side of the ball (-2.3 career dWAR and -12 DRS).
It also says a lot that a team like the Royals, who are starving for any sort of production with a poor roster of their own, were eager to part with Beaty for whatever value they could get in return (uh, just cash).
We won't come down on the Giants too hard, though. They're missing Austin Slater, Mitch Haniger and Luis Gonzalez to begin the season due to injuries.
OK, maybe we will. Why not give Bryce Johnson a chance?! The former sixth-round pick is already 27 years old and just hit .310 with an .828 OPS and 12 stolen bases (!!!!) in 42 Spring Training at-bats. What's the wait? What more do they need to see before letting him sink or swim at the MLB level?
Beaty it is. Can't say we're confident that's the better choice, but fans will be wishing him well unless he's stepping into the batter's box against LA.