According to the great Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, the Giants have informed Randy Winn, their starting right-fielder for the past 4+ seasons, to seek employment with another team. Winn, now 35 years old, just finished playing out a 3-year, $23.25 million contract he signed with the Giants after the 2005 season, when he hit .447 in the month of September following his acquisition from the Seattle Mariners. Winn was never flashy in the power department, but he hit .300 or better in two of his seasons as a Giant, stole 92 bases, and played an excellent right field. However, in the 2009 season, Winn's numbers went down. He hit only .262 with only 2 HR, and struggled mightily batting right-handed, batting only .158.
A native of Danville and an San Ramon Valley High School graduate, Winn intimated that he wanted to remain a Giant, but the team, as they should, plans to evaluate their younger outfielders such as Nate Schierholtz and John Bowker. The Giants may have considered bringing Winn back as a fourth outfielder, but as Baggs so aptly put it, Bruce Bochy loves Winn to the point that he might have played him too much.
Winn has the dubious distinction of having played the most games without a playoff appearance. He drew the ire of many Giants fans, but overall, he was a very good Giant who played hard every game. He deserves a shot at the postseason, and let's hope that he signs with a contender.
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