The 2022 San Francisco Giants were definitely not as good as their 2021 version.
With an 81-81 record, they didn’t make the postseason and looked quite ordinary, a stark contrast to last year in which they seemed invincible.
Lots of things went wrong this year, and one of them was Brandon Belt.
The slugger had a fantastic 2021, but returned back to Earth in 2022 with a .213/.326/.350 line in 78 games and 298 plate appearances.
His strong 2021 made him $18.4 million in 2022, but he is already 34 and coming off a down season this year in which injuries, once again, played a part.
It’s safe to say that won’t be his salary in 2023.
As he tests free agency again, it’s fair to wonder if the Texas Rangers will make a run at him.
“Wondering out loud if Brandon Belt might reunite with Bruce Bochy in Texas,” Giants analyst Danny Emerman tweeted.
Wondering out loud if Brandon Belt might reunite with Bruce Bochy in Texas
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) October 21, 2022
Could The Rangers Look To Reunite Bochy And Belt In Texas?
Bruce Bochy, the new Rangers manager, was the Giants’ skipper from 2007 to 2019.
Belt has been a major leaguer since 2011, so Bochy had him for most of his playing career.
Together, they won two World Series rings in 2012 and 2014: Bochy also took the 2010 championship when Belt was a prospect.
Bochy has played a role in who Belt currently is as a hitter and player.
He might be interested in reuniting with his long-time manager.
It’s hard to say, however, which level of interest the Rangers will have on a player on the wrong side of 30 with a history of physical issues and who didn’t have a great 2022.
For now, the Rangers’ priority should be pitching, but given the long, successful history between Bochy and Belt, nothing can be ruled out.
NEXT: The Giants Start To Make Important Personnel Changes