Giants Lose Outfielder Justin Dean to Cubs in Waiver Claim, Continue Outfield Reshuffle
The San Francisco Giants made a roster move Tuesday that wasn’t exactly the splash fans were hoping for. Outfielder Justin Dean, known for his speed and defensive prowess, was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs. The move came after the Giants designated Dean for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for newly signed pitcher Tyler Mahle.
Mahle, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal with San Francisco, can earn up to $3 million more through performance incentives. He brings veteran experience to a rotation that could use some stability, but his arrival came at the cost of depth in the outfield - an area the Giants had been actively trying to upgrade this offseason.
Dean was one of two glove-first outfielders brought in to help shore up what had been a shaky defensive unit in 2025. Along with Joey Wiemer, Dean was part of a clear effort to improve the Giants' outfield coverage.
General manager Zack Minasian had even singled out Dean’s defensive ability earlier this winter, praising his range and instincts. But with Mahle’s signing, the Giants were forced to make a tough call - and Dean was the odd man out.
If spring training opened today, the Giants’ outfield would look a lot like the one that wrapped up last season. Jung Hoo Lee is expected to hold down center field, with Heliot Ramos penciled into left.
Right field, however, remains wide open. Drew Gilbert, Jerar Encarnación, Grant McCray, and Luis Matos are all in the mix for playing time, either as starters or fourth outfielders.
It’s a group that, as it stands, still has plenty to prove. The Giants' outfield ranked 19th in MLB last season with a combined 4.1 fWAR - not disastrous, but clearly not where they want to be.
The front office made it clear they wanted to get more athletic and more reliable defensively, and Dean seemed like a step in that direction. Now, they’ll have to look elsewhere.
Dean’s path to the Giants began earlier this offseason when he was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers. While he didn’t see much action at the plate - just two regular-season plate appearances in 2025 - he made his mark in the postseason. Dean appeared in 13 playoff games as a defensive replacement and played a key role in Game 6 of the World Series, helping the Dodgers secure the title with a crucial late-game play in the outfield.
That kind of impact - even in a limited role - is what makes Dean valuable to teams with postseason aspirations. He’s not a bat-first outfielder, but his speed and glove make him an ideal late-inning option.
Across seven minor league seasons, Dean has slashed .252/.356/.368, showing solid plate discipline with a 12.1% walk rate, though his 26.8% strikeout rate and .116 ISO suggest limited offensive upside. Still, he’s a threat on the basepaths, having swiped 239 bags in 295 attempts - an 81% success rate that speaks to his game-changing speed.
For the Cubs, Dean is a low-risk, high-upside pickup - a player who can help tighten up their outfield defense and provide a spark off the bench. For the Giants, it’s a reminder that roster flexibility comes at a cost. They improved their pitching depth with Mahle, but they lost a piece that could’ve helped them in close games down the stretch.
As the Giants continue to shape their roster ahead of spring training, the outfield remains a work in progress. The talent is there, but so are the question marks. Whether the front office makes another move or trusts the current group to step up, one thing’s clear: the margin for error just got a little tighter.