This past winter's free agent market was stacked with talent, particularly in the outfield.
That seemed like good news for the Giants, who were sorely needing a power threat in left field.
However, once they shelled out contracts to Hunter Pence, Tim Lincecum and Tim Hudson, it was apparent that the team wouldn't be targeting a big name outfielder in free agency.
While huge contracts were given to the top names on the market, the Giants waited patiently, eventually taking a calculated risk on oft-injured, yet powerful Michael Morse.
That patience looks to have paid off in the early going, as Morse has produced extremely well through the first quarter of the season.
To make things even sweeter, many of those big name free agents the Giants passed on have gotten off to rocky starts thus far.
So how much value did the Giants end up with in the Morse deal compared to their counterparts?
Here's a look at the off-season's biggest outfield signings, ranked in terms of value, on a scale of one to Morse (ten):
Jacoby Ellsbury – The crown jewel of the winter's outfield market, Ellsbury traded his right to facial hair for a seven year, $153 million deal with the Yankees.
Despite the move to a hitter-friendly park and a stacked lineup, Ellsbury has disappointed in his first 41 games in pinstripes.
Outside of his 11 steals, Ellsbury has done little offensively – amassing just one home run and 14 RBI's, along with a mediocre .276 batting average.
While the lack of power isn't a total surprise, considering Ellsbury has hit double-digit home runs only once in his career (a fluky 32 in 2011), it's still a concern that he hasn't taken advantage of Yankee Stadium's short right field porch.
At this point in his career, the 30-year-old has the ability to be at least a four-tool player, but for almost $22 million annually, the Yankees have to be expecting more out of their new center fielder.
On a scale of one to Morse: Five
Shin-Soo Choo – Choo's first free agent contract was a big one – seven years, $130 million – as Texas rewarded him after seven productive seasons in Cleveland and Cincinnati.
The 31-year-old left fielder has found success hitting atop the Rangers powerful lineup, posting a very Choo-like .311 average/.435 on-base/.474 slugging line.
Choo has chipped in with four home runs and 12 RBI's, as well as 22 runs scored.
While those numbers are on point, he will be hard-pressed to live up to his $18.5 million annual salary – but that reflects more on the Rangers' over-aggressiveness in signing him, rather than his ability.
That's not to say he isn't a great player (because he is), but regardless of what his contract suggests, Choo is a few notches below a super star.
On a scale of one to Morse: Seven
Carlos Beltran – Yet another Yankee free agent acquisition, Beltran collected a cool $45 million on a three year deal to come to the Bronx.
There are no surprises when it comes to the Yankees' spending habits, but Beltran's addition to an outfield that already hosted Alfonso Soriano, Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Ichiro Suzuki, is a head-scratcher.
The 37-year-old recently went on the disabled list with bone spurs in his elbow and could be facing in-season surgery to remedy the situation.
Prior to the injury, Beltran was hitting .234 with five home runs and 15 driven in across 128 at bats.
With his immediate future in doubt, Beltran looks like one of the worst signings of the outfield class so far, and given his age, the Yankees may regret this signing very soon – deep wallets and all.
On a scale of one to Morse: Three
Curtis Granderson – The man Ellsbury replaced, Granderson switched New York uniforms when he signed a four year, $60 million deal with the Mets.
Despite Granderson's plummet in production in 2013, the Mets jumped at the chance to add some much needed pop to their lineup.
Unfortunately, last season's regression has carried over to the start of 2014, and Granderson is hitting an unsightly .192 with 44 strikeouts in 143 at-bats.
The power is there a little bit – he has five home runs and 19 RBI's – but the Mets payed for what Granderson did in his prime years of 2006-12, while ignoring the alarming trend in his strikeout and contact rates.
At 33, Granderson hasn't lost the ability to hit for power, but at this stage in his career he isn't going to improve his plate discipline.
That means the Mets are likely looking at a .230 hitter with 20-25 home run potential from here on out – not terrible, but certainly not what they payed for.
On a scale of one to Morse: Three
Nelson Cruz – After sitting out the final 50 games of 2013 for a PED's suspension, Cruz was one of the last free agents to sign this off-season, doing so on February 22nd.
Baltimore gave him a 'prove it' contract – one year, $8 million – to become their starting left fielder.
He has rewarded the Orioles' risk, posting one of the most impressive stat lines in the major leagues so far: 12 home runs (tied for 2nd in AL), 37 RBI's (tied for 3rd in AL), .873 OPS (10th ) and a .273 batting average.
Cruz has not only hushed the doubters who claimed his production would falter as a clean player, but he's also proven that he can stay healthy; starting 40 games in left field.
Performance and cost considered, Cruz just squeaks past Morse as the best signing among the outfield class so far.
On a scale of one to Morse: Cruz just barely breaks the scale, but for the sake of the rankings, he equals a perfect Morse.
Michael Morse – The man himself, Morse signed a one year, $6 million deal to help fill a massive void in the Giants outfield.
Numerous injuries over the past few seasons knocked down his price tag and the Giants picked him up at a bargain.
Morse has provided a lot of what the Giants expected – 10 home runs and 28 RBI's, with an .863 OPS – and a little bit of what they didn't – no errors on 40 defensive chances.
Brandon Belt's injury has further increased Morse's value, as he's now bouncing between first base and left field on a daily basis.
Considering Morse has more home runs and RBI's than Ellsbury, Choo, Beltran and Granderson (for a fraction of the cost), Brian Sabean once again looks like a genius.
There's no telling where the Giants would be without Morse, but it probably wouldn't be first place in the NL West.
On a scale of one to Morse: Morse equals Morse...that sounds like something he would tweet.
For more content by Chris Kersevan, check out his writer’s page and on Twitter @cker7
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