As of February 19, San Francisco’s starting lineup appears set, headlined by Arraez’s bat at second and Bader’s glove in the outfield. Bleacher Report cites Jung Hoo Lee, Heliot Ramos, and Bader as likely starters in the outfield, while rookie Bryce Eldridge is expected to slot in as the designated hitter.
Despite Bader’s signing, the outfield isn’t considered top-tier, prompting management to explore a veteran option who can serve as extra outfield depth or a DH. Marte, who spent the last four seasons with the Mets, remains a strong candidate given his recent production and left-handed hitting success.
Marte, 37, posted a solid .270/.410/.745 OPS line with limited playing time in 2025 and has been notably effective against left-handed pitching. The Giants historically struggle against lefties, ranking near the bottom in OPS against southpaws, which Marte could help address.
Adding Marte would not preclude other roster moves; the plan could still involve rotations or spot starts for Lee or Ramos, with Marte stepping in as needed and potentially serving as a DH. Oracle Park’s hitter-friendly debate aside, Marte’s left-handed bat could provide meaningful pop in a lineup that otherwise ranked mid-pack in runs and home runs in 2025.
Overall, Marte’s fit with the Giants centers on adding veteran depth and on-base/slugging upside to complement an aging outfield and to bolster the lineup against left-handed pitching, while keeping room for flexibility in the early-season roster.
