By that metric, nobody is "necessary." Silly word, which I assumed you meant to mean "useful.'
The level of useful varies from player to player and from team to team but any big leaguer could be useful. Doesn't make it necessary for the team to sign them. I don't see a glaring need for the Giants to sign a league average hitter to play the middle infield, especially one coming off a serious injury to his throwing shoulder.
I agree it's not "necessary." But it would be pretty "helpful," depending upon his health.
Okay, changing the word to "helpful", I don't see how it would be "helpful" for the Giants to sign a league average bat whose specialty is his glove work and his shoulder could or could not affect said glove work. Why spend the money and create a roster jam in the middle infield when that is not the biggest area of concern for improving the roster?
Kim was hurt a good portion of last year. And even then put up 2.6 WAR. When healthy he's a 5 WAR player. Will he be healthy? I can't say. But if he IS healthy a 5 WAR guy isn't clogging up the infield...he's a borderline All-Star.
This is the one reason I say offer a 1 year contract to prove himself. I think he will take it to be with his buddy Lee and his old manager. Fitz will be the full time 2nd baseman for a couple months as Kim heals and then slowly starts backing up the infield. I really don’t think it is a bad choice to have many options. Casey will be the backup for the first two months. If the Giants don’t believe Kim has it anymore release him and continue what we have.
