NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Giants general manager Bobby Evans reiterated Monday at the Winter Meetings that he's leaning toward reserving left field for a Spring Training competition featuring Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson, instead of pursuing a proven Major League outfielder through free agency or trade.
Evans did not completely rule out making a deal to bolster left field, where the Giants statistically ranked in the middle of the pack or worse among National League clubs last season. San Francisco was 13th in home runs (14) and RBIs (64) while finishing eighth in runs (87) and ninth in OPS (.720).
Asked whether the Giants explored the possibility of signing free agent Yoenis Céspedes, who recently received a four-year, $110 million deal to stick with the New York Mets, Evans said, "We check in on everything." But, he added, "your farm system's there for a reason."
That reflected Evans' preference to leave left field to the left-handed-hitting Parker, who batted .236 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 63 games last season, or Williamson, a .223 hitter with six homers and 15 RBIs in 54 games during 2016.

Evans also cited non-roster players such as Austin Slater and Chris Marrero as potential left-field candidates. Slater, the Giants' 22nd-ranked prospect by MLBPipeline.com, batted .305 with 18 homers, 67 RBIs and an .893 OPS while dividing last season between Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento. The Giants obtained Marrero this offseason after he hit .284 with 23 homers, 71 RBIs and an .838 OPS with Boston's Triple-A Pawtucket outpost.