You might have missed it during the offseason shuffle, but the SF Giants briefly had outfielder Joey Wiemer on their roster. They ultimately let him go, but after his standout Opening Day performance, the Giants might be second-guessing that decision just a bit.
Now with the Washington Nationals, Wiemer was instrumental in their 10-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. He went 3-for-3 at the plate, drew a walk, and launched a home run in the second inning off Matthew Boyd. That homer was a rocket, clocking in at 110.5 MPH, setting the tone for the Nationals on Opening Day.
Wiemer's known for his prowess against left-handed pitchers, boasting a career slash line of .264/.307/.509 against them, compared to .181/.272/.292 against righties. The Nationals made a savvy move by putting him in the lineup against the lefty Boyd.
The Giants had picked up Wiemer in the offseason, trading cash considerations to the Miami Marlins for him. He seemed like a solid depth option or a potential platoon bat.
However, he was designated for assignment by the Giants in December to make room for relief pitcher Jason Foley. The Nationals claimed him off waivers in January.
San Francisco did sign Harrison Bader, a move that made sense given Bader's overall superior play. Bader, known for his stellar defense and decent hitting, was secured for over $20 million for two years. While Wiemer shares some similarities with Bader, including strong defense and speed, Bader's track record gives him the edge.
But if Bader struggles with injuries and Wiemer shines in Washington, the Giants might have some regrets. For now, though, based on career performance, Bader is the safer bet over a full season.
Still, Wiemer's hot start is intriguing and makes you wonder about what could have been if he was in the Giants' lineup against a pitcher like Max Fried. It's a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in baseball.