GIANTS MULLING FREE AGENT OPTIONS AT MEETINGS
LAS VEGAS — As their vision for 2019 continues to take shape, the San Francisco Giants hope to meet with Scott Boras, the agent representing free agent superstar Bryce Harper.
Even with veteran starters returning on the left side of the infield, the Giants also plan to meet with Dan Lozano, the representative for power-hitting shortstop Manny Machado.
Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi has an extensive offseason shopping list and a busy itinerary in Las Vegas, but he’s indicated he’ll check in on two of the most coveted free agents in baseball history.
Would Zaidi aggressively pursue either player? That appears highly unlikely. Instead, he’ll aggressively pursue meetings with agents and general managers around the sport as he begins constructing the next iteration of the Giants roster.
Though the Giants haven’t given a public indication they’re willing to spend to contend next season, Zaidi acknowledged there are roster voids he must fill. With no outfielders who have ever been full-time major league starters on their 40-man roster, the Giants are scouring the market for potential trade candidates and also evaluating free agent fits.
“It’s a high priority,” Zaidi said of the outfield. “To your point, it’s a pretty inexperienced group. I do expect by Opening Day we’ll have at least a couple of additions there. It’s been a pretty slow-moving market. We’re still assessing trade options and free agent options.”
Several Giants including Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Belt have had been discussed in the media as possible trade candidates, but they may not be the likeliest members of the club to be on the move this offseason. A rumor circulating Mandalay Bay resort Tuesday connected the St. Louis Cardinals to Giants reliever Will Smith.
Zaidi said Monday that bullpen depth was an area of strength for San Francisco and admitted acquiring more power was important to boost the team’s offense, especially in the outfield. After St. Louis traded for former Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt last week, the Cardinals may view right-handed hitter Jose Martinez or young outfielder Tyler O’Neill as expendable.
The Giants may be reluctant to part with Smith because he’s still arbitrationeligible, but fellow left-hander Tony Watson is under contract for the next two seasons and could be another asset for teams in need of relief help.
Though the Giants figure to receive calls on a number of different players this month, Zaidi said Monday the market for trades and free agents is still developing.
“There’s a little bit of a feeling out process there,” Zaidi said. “There’s some names that are being talked about in trades that are holding up the free agent market a little bit. As much or even more than in past years, the free agent and trade markets and teams weighing those alternatives, that dynamic seems to be creating a little more tentativeness in the market.”
While the Giants may not have much interest in inking Harper to a long-term deal, Boras also represents star Japanese left-hander Yusei Kikuchi who must sign with a team by January 3 if he wants to pitch in the major leagues next season. It’s unclear what Kikcuhi would command from a salary standpoint, but the Giants might be willing to commit to the 27-year-old starter because he’s younger than nearly every other free agent pitcher available.
Aside from searching for opportunities to acquire outfield depth and rotation help, Zaidi emphasized a desire to add versatile players who can handle multiple positions. Though the Giants already have a handful in Austin Slater, Alen Hanson and even Pablo Sandoval, Zaidi may look for players who project more as everyday regulars that can fill a variety of needs.
“That’s going to be a priority for us in kind of filling out this roster and even looking at the outfield and adding to the outfield, certainly if we can get guys who can play all three outfield spots, that would be terrific,” Zaidi said. “To the extent that we have outfield options who could also play the infield, even just first base, that’s a huge benefit.”