Why Jake Meyers Could Be the Perfect Fit for a Giants Team Desperate for Outfield Defense

The Houston Astros made a splash this offseason by signing Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $63 million deal-$54 million of which is guaranteed, with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. It’s a bold move that bolsters their rotation but also tightens the financial screws.

According to Fangraphs, the Astros are now sitting at $237.7 million in committed payroll against the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold of $244 million for 2026. That leaves them with just under $7 million in wiggle room-and that’s before arbitration figures become official.

With 11 arbitration-eligible players projected to earn various salaries, there’s not much margin for error. If any of those salaries come in higher than expected, Houston could find itself brushing up against the tax line sooner than it would like. That’s why we might see more cost-conscious roster maneuvering from the Astros in the coming weeks-and that’s where the San Francisco Giants could come into the picture.

Houston already gave us a preview of this strategy back in November when they dealt Mauricio Dubón to the Braves for Nick Allen. On paper, it looked like a swap of glove-first infielders.

But financially, the deal made plenty of sense. Dubón was projected to make $5.8 million in arbitration and ultimately settled at $6.1 million.

Allen, by contrast, comes in at a much more manageable $1.5 million. The Astros gave up a more versatile, better-hitting player for a cheaper alternative-clear evidence of a team trying to stay under the CBT line without gutting the roster.

If that’s the playbook, then more moves like it could be on the way. While the Astros would love to move Christian Walker and the final two years of his $60 million contract, his down year in 2025 makes that a tough sell unless Houston is willing to attach a prospect to sweeten the deal. So instead, we could see smaller, more strategic salary-saving trades-and that brings us to Jake Meyers.

Meyers is projected to earn $3.5 million in arbitration this season. That’s not a back-breaking number, but it’s enough to give Houston a little breathing room if they decide to move him. And for a team like the Giants, who desperately need to improve their outfield defense, Meyers could be exactly what they’re looking for.

Let’s talk about what Meyers brings to the table. The 29-year-old outfielder isn’t going to wow anyone with his bat, but he’s a solid contributor.

In 2025, he posted a .292/.354/.373 slash line with three homers, 24 RBIs, and 53 runs scored across 381 plate appearances. He also stole 16 bases in 21 attempts-an area where the Giants lagged behind last year.

In fact, Meyers would’ve led the Giants in steals in 2025.

But his real value lies in his glove. Meyers was one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball last season, racking up five Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), nine Outs Above Average (OAA), and eight Fielding Run Value (FRV).

Since his debut in 2021, he leads all center fielders with 41 OAA. That’s elite territory.

Now contrast that with the Giants, who finished dead last in OAA in 2025 with -18. San Francisco has made it clear they want to improve defensively in the outfield, but if they’re rolling into 2026 with Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee as starters, it’s hard to see how that happens without a shakeup.

Enter Meyers.

If the Giants were to acquire him, they could rework the outfield alignment in a way that makes a lot more sense defensively. Meyers could take over in center, pushing Jung Hoo Lee to right field-a position that may suit him better long-term.

Ramos would remain in left, where his glove is below average, but the overall unit would go from being a liability to something much closer to league average. That’s not a small leap.

Even in a lesser role, Meyers still holds value. He hits lefties respectably and could serve as a glove-first fourth outfielder, something the Giants lacked in 2025. They’ve yet to address their struggles against left-handed pitching this offseason, and Meyers gives them a chance to do that while also shoring up their defense.

For the Astros, this kind of move fits the pattern. Trading a player like Meyers won’t gut the roster, but it helps them stay under the tax threshold and maintain flexibility for midseason additions. For the Giants, it’s a chance to get better in an area that desperately needs improvement-without breaking the bank or giving up top-tier prospects.

Sometimes the best trades aren’t the blockbuster ones. Sometimes, it’s the smart, subtle moves around the margins that make a real difference. Jake Meyers to San Francisco could be one of those.