Some predictions for final weeks of Giants’ offseason
Under normal circumstances, San Francisco Giants fans would be counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the team’s first spring training workout.
It’s been a long time since circumstances were normal.
It’s entirely possible the Giants are only about five weeks away from opening camp, but Major League Baseball has provided no clarity on whether spring training will start on time. With the coronavirus pandemic raging throughout the United States, especially in Arizona, it’s uncertain whether it will even be feasible for teams such as the Giants to begin practicing in Maricopa County without posing significant health and safety risks to players, coaches, staffers and the greater community.
Without any guidance from the league, we’ll continue to operate under the assumption the Giants will report to Arizona in midFebruary. And with time potentially running short for the Giants to make more changes to the roster, we’re bringing you predictions on how the remainder of the offseason will unfold. THE GIANTS FINISH SECOND OR THIRD IN THE TREVOR BAUER SWEEPSTAKES » The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner is a free agent and the Giants are one of the teams that have been consistently mentioned as a potential landing spot for Trevor Bauer throughout the offseason.
The connection makes sense. Bauer will command a massive contract, the Giants are one of the teams best positioned to pay highprofile free agents and the organization is in dire need of an elite starter. It all adds up, except Zaidi has never shown a tendency to want to sign starting pitchers to long-term deals.
The guess here is that Bauer will remain a free agent into February and the number of potential suitors eventually thins out. If the Giants think they can sign Bauer to contract they perceive as reasonable, my sense is they’d make an offer, but I also doubt they’d be willing to engage in a bidding war because they’d probably prefer to use the money they’d need to sign an ace and spread it out to three or four quality starters in future offseasons.
THE LEFT-HANDED HITTER THE GIANTS ACQUIRE HAS CENTER FIELD EXPERIENCE » Both Zaidi and Harris have indicated the Giants want to add another lefthanded bat to the mix this offseason, but neither has elaborated on the specific role another position player might fill.
The Giants seem willing to consider all kind of left-handed hitting players from those who project mostly as outfielders, others who are better suited to the infield and of course, super utility options ready to play all over the diamond. From a roster construction perspective, however, it seems the club would benefit most from adding a left-handed hitter with experience playing center field.
Whether that player is a true center fielder such as Jackie Bradley, Jr. or a parttimer who has made cameos in center such as former Rangers switch-hitter Danny Santana, manager Gabe Kapler would have more flexibility with creating lineups and sending in substitutions with a center field who hits from the left side.
The Giants have tried using Mike Yastrzemski in center field, but he’s clearly more comfortable in a corner. Alex Dickerson is exclusively a corner outfielder, so he’s not an option. Some in the organization still believe Steven Duggar has room to improve and take on a platoon role in center, but there are still questions about his plate discipline and durability.
ZAIDI SIGNS MULTIPLE PITCHERS BUT NONE WILL RECEIVE MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRACTS » The Giants have overhauled the group of right-handed relievers on their 40-man roster this offseason, adding six pitchers who should have a chance to contribute to the 2021 bullpen. Free agents Matt Wisler and John Brebbia, Rule 5 draft choice Dedniel Núñez and prospects Gregory Santos, Camilo Doval and Kervin Castro are all candidates to pitch in relief for the Giants this year, but only Wisler is assured of a job in the Opening Day bullpen.
With Brebbia recovering from Tommy John surgery and four others never having thrown a pitch above High-A ball, it seems unlikely the Giants will thrust multiple rookies into the mix at the beginning of the season. Doval may have the best chance of helping immediately, but the thought here is that the Giants will sign a handful of veterans to minor league contracts and give them opportunities to secure jobs in spring training.