Giants Sign Veteran Shortstop Paul DeJong
After a month of waiting, the San Francisco Giants have finally acquired veteran shortstop Paul DeJong. According to sources, the Giants reached an agreement with DeJong just days after he was designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal was first reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Giants had shown interest in DeJong prior to the trade deadline, but the Blue Jays swiftly made a move to secure him amidst uncertainties surrounding Bo Bichette’s knee. However, once DeJong became available, the Giants circled back and are now set to add him to their roster on Wednesday in Philadelphia.
The Giants had initially turned to Mark Mathias at the deadline and later signed veteran Johan Camargo to fill the shortstop position. However, Camargo has struggled at the plate since his arrival. With DeJong’s addition, he is expected to either replace Camargo or Casey Schmitt as the Giants patiently await Brandon Crawford’s return from the injured list due to a forearm strain.
While Camargo has managed a 4-for-17 performance since being called up from Triple-A, DeJong struggled significantly during his brief time with the Blue Jays. In just 13 appearances, DeJong recorded a meager 3-for-44 with 18 strikeouts, resulting in a dismal .136 OPS.
Despite his recent struggles, the Giants remain optimistic that DeJong will rediscover his form from his time in St. Louis. Before being traded in July, DeJong had notched 13 home runs and a .710 OPS. In 2019, he had a breakthrough season with 30 homers and an All-Star selection. However, his OPS has dropped to .632 in the subsequent years.
Throughout his career, DeJong has consistently been rated as an above-average shortstop and this season is no exception. Statcast’s Outs Above Average ranks him in the 94th percentile. Although he primarily plays shortstop, DeJong also has experience at second base.
With DeJong’s arrival, the Giants hope that he can provide stability and contribute both offensively and defensively. The addition of his veteran presence may prove crucial as the team looks to solidify their position in the playoff race.