San Francisco Giants outfielder Nate Schierholtz is disgruntled about his playing time. Playing a bench role behind Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan, and Gregor Blanco, he only sees action as an occasional starter, pinch hitter, or defensive replacement. Likely only playing a minor role with the team in the second half of the season, Schierholtz indirectly hinted at welcoming a deal to a team willing to give him a larger role.
"I think whatever the best fit for the team and me is would be ideal," Schierholtz said. "I can't really make those decisions. It's all up to them. Whether I'm here or not I'm going to give my best effort everyday and bust my tail."
Despite being a member of the Giants organization since he was drafted in 2003, Schierholtz has failed to gain an everyday role with the team. While he has been afforded opportunities to claim the role, including at the start of the season, he has been inconsistent and his production and has been passed in the depth charts by players like Blanco.
With Justin Christian serving as a backup outfielder who can play all three outfield positions and Aubrey Huff soon returning from the disabled list, Schierholtz's role on the team has become diminished. While it's great to have a sure-handed fielder like Schierholtz playing the difficult AT&T Park right field, his hitting has been streaky throughout his career and the Giants may be looking to move him given his frustration for a lack of playing time.
As an outfielder who could draw some interest at the non-waiver trade deadline, Schierholtz is one of the few trade pieces currently on the Giants major league roster who could help the team bring in bullpen depth. Since closer Santiago Casilla has had some shaky outings as of late and an unproven George Kontos currently holds the last bullpen spot, the Giants would like to find some sort of middle relief help before the end of the month as they push towards the playoffs. If they find the right trade suitor, the Giants may find reason to trade Schierholtz.
While Schierholtz is an expendable player who could be seen as a commodity because he is still cheaply under team control for at least one more year, the Giants will have a difficult time trading him. As a fourth or fifth outfielder with an unreliable bat, not many teams will be calling the Giants for Schierholtz. Plus, even if there are teams that want him, the Giants would likely have to add another piece to the deal in order to bring in a player that can help their cause for the rest of the season.
Source:
Giants' Schierholtz not happy, SF Gate
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Austin Chang is a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area native, baseball fan, and supporter of the San Francisco Giants. Follow this Featured Contributor on Google+ and Twitter @_austinchang.
