On Thursday, the San Francisco Giants made several changes to their roster, and one of the more notable moves involved claiming outfielder Justin Dean off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. While Dean is not yet a household name, many baseball fans will remember a key moment he delivered on the sport’s biggest stage. His alertness and quick decision-making during Game 6 of the World Series may have played a critical role in keeping the Dodgers’ championship chances alive.
During that game, Dean entered as a late-inning defensive substitute, taking over in center field. Not long after he entered the game, the Toronto Blue Jays hit a ball deep into the outfield. The ball eventually bounced into a gap and became lodged between the bottom of the outfield fence and the warning track dirt. Recognizing the unusual situation immediately, Dean raised his hands to signal to the umpires that the ball was unreachable and stuck. His quick reaction was crucial because this action correctly identified the play as a ground-rule double under MLB rules.
Because of Dean’s awareness, the baserunner who had been on first base was not allowed to advance home, and instead was required to stop at third. Had Dean not reacted instantly and clearly, the runner may have attempted to score and change the momentum of the game. His attention to detail in that moment potentially preserved the Dodgers’ position in a high-pressure, must-win scenario.
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SF Giants claim Dodgers outfielder who helped them win the World Series
Despite having a prime scoring opportunity—runners on second and third base with nobody out—the Toronto lineup could not push a run across. The Los Angeles Dodgers, facing enormous pressure, managed to escape the jam unscathed. That pivotal escape allowed them to preserve their lead, secure a victory in Game 6, and force a decisive Game 7. The momentum from that inning carried into the final game, where the Dodgers ultimately finished the job and captured the championship.
A week earlier, Giants fans viewed Justin Dean as one of the unexpected villains of the postseason. His alert play in the outfield during the World Series was frustrating for San Francisco supporters, especially since it helped the Dodgers extend their title hopes. Yet baseball has a funny way of reshaping alliances and perspectives. Now, those same fanbases that were angry at him might soon find themselves cheering when his name is announced at Oracle Park. With San Francisco claiming Dean off waivers, he could be wearing orange and black next season, and Giants fans may be rooting for the very player who irritated them when he wore Dodger blue.
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Dean will be 29 years old in 2026, and he is very early in his journey at the major-league level. The speedster made his MLB debut with Los Angeles in the 2025 season. His opportunities were limited—he appeared in 18 games, yet only logged two plate appearances. He did not register a hit, but he did contribute by stealing a base. His appearances were almost exclusively in late-game situations, usually as a pinch-runner or as a defensive substitute in center field. The Dodgers valued his speed and defense enough to trust him in high-leverage moments, including the postseason, even if he was not used as a hitter.
His minor-league track record, however, shows that there may be more to his game than what fans saw during his short time in the majors. In Triple-A during the 2025 season, Dean stole 27 bases, demonstrating that his speed is legitimate—not just in scouting reports, but in tangible results. Speed is something you cannot teach, and he possesses it in abundance.
Beyond his baserunning, Dean had a solid offensive campaign in Triple-A in 2025. He finished the season with a .289 batting average, a .378 on-base percentage, and a .431 slugging percentage. Those numbers reflect a player with a good approach at the plate, one who can get on base, create pressure on the defense once he’s there, and occasionally drive the ball with extra-base power. He also hit six home runs and drove in 33 runs that season—respectable production for someone not known primarily for his bat.
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With the Giants, Dean is not projected to be a front-line starter or an everyday fixture in the lineup. Instead, his value lies in how he could support the roster. San Francisco could use him as a depth option in the outfield should injuries occur or if they need a spark from the bench. His speed would give the team a weapon they currently lack. In late innings of close games, he could enter as a pinch-runner to immediately impact the tempo and scoring potential of an inning.
Managers often covet players like Dean in the postseason or in crucial late-season games—players who can steal second, go first-to-third, or chase down a ball in the gap to preserve a lead. He also offers defensive flexibility and could be deployed as a late-inning defensive replacement for Heliot Ramos, who is currently expected to be a major part of the Giants’ outfield going forward. Ramos has made progress defensively, but Dean could provide elite range in the outfield on nights when protecting a lead is the highest priority.
Dean was not the only roster move San Francisco made. The Giants also designated pitcher Mason Black for assignment, meaning they removed him from the 40-man roster. It’s a move that suggests the team reached a point where they no longer believed he was a fit for one of the organization’s valuable roster spots. Black had shown flashes of ability during his stints with the big-league club, hinting at potential that had once made him a promising prospect.
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However, despite those spurts of optimism, he struggled to consistently deliver at the major-league level. Every time he seemed to be gaining traction, inconsistency found its way back into his outings, making it difficult for the organization to commit long-term. In the end, while he demonstrated intriguing talent, he didn’t do quite enough to convince the Giants that he should remain on the roster heading into offseason planning.
To replace him, San Francisco claimed pitcher Reiver Sanmartín off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. Sanmartín brings a different skill set—he’s a left-handed pitcher with major-league experience. He has had moments of effectiveness and fits the type of profile that teams like to take chances on. Left-handed arms are always in demand, and Sanmartín’s background suggests he could contribute either as bullpen depth or, depending on how he performs in spring training, potentially earn a larger role.
In the big picture, none of these roster moves seem headline-grabbing at first glance. Fans typically get excited about blockbuster signings or marquee trades, the kinds of transactions that involve star players and create immediate buzz. These, by comparison, feel small. A speedy outfielder with limited big-league experience. A pitcher designated for assignment. A waiver claim. They read like simple bookkeeping items on a front office transaction list.
But baseball history is full of examples that show how seemingly insignificant decisions can transform into some of the most impactful moves a team makes. The postseason often highlights the importance of contributions from unlikely heroes—the backup catcher who gets hot, the minor-league journeyman who comes through with a clutch hit, or the defensive specialist whose presence changes the outcome of a game.
The Dodgers trusted Justin Dean with postseason innings for a reason: speed and defense matter, especially in October. A single stolen base or a single catch on the warning track can swing a game, a series, or even a championship.
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Dean’s alert defensive play during the World Series—raising his hands to signal a lodged ball and preventing runners from advancing—demonstrated not just athletic ability but baseball IQ. It was a split-second decision that helped the Dodgers extend the series and eventually win the title. Even players with limited playing time can leave dents in baseball history.
Giants fans may have watched that play and groaned, frustrated that someone so inexperienced could affect the biggest stage. But now that he is coming to their team, that same quality—being prepared, aware, and ready for anything—could make him a surprisingly valuable asset.
When teams build rosters, especially for the long grind of a baseball season, stars get fans through the gates, but depth pieces often determine how successful a team can be when adversity strikes. Injuries are inevitable. Slumps happen. Bench players get called into action. Having someone like Dean stashed away on the roster or at Triple-A could prove extremely beneficial. He brings a skill set that many teams wish they had more of: legitimate speed, defensive capability at a premium position, and the ability to change a game without needing multiple plate appearances.
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So while these current transactions may not lead the front page of Giants news, they show the team is actively reshaping the edges of the roster. Sometimes championships are built quietly—with decisions that go unnoticed. Dean’s involvement in the Dodgers’ championship run is evidence of how a supporting cast member can create momentum that changes everything.
In the wake of these moves, the message becomes clear: small details matter. Minor acquisitions can eventually lead to major results. Today, Justin Dean might simply look like a depth piece for San Francisco. But if the opportunity arises—late in a game, with tension high and the season on the line—he could become another example of how a quiet roster move turns into a game-defining moment.
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