Giants making moves at brisk clip
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The hardestworking Giant at spring training is the employee responsible for updating the camp roster, which is like the weather in the tropics. If you don’t like it, wait 15 minutes.
This week alone the Giants reached minor-league deals with catcher Stephen Vogt, outfielders Gerardo Parra and Craig Gentry, and, on Friday, former Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte. They also traded for Nationals reliever Trevor Gott.
This was bound to happen in a slow free-agent market, as president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi followed through on his promise to tap into a buyer’s market for experienced help.
The minor-league deals largely are formalities for some of the newcomers, particularly Parra and Solarte. Barring any strange developments, both should be on the Opening Day roster.
Power-starved fans should welcome
Solarte, 31, whose 17 homers for Toronto last year would have led the Giants by one. Solarte hit 16 before the AllStar break. His season went downhill with an oblique injury and a late-season Blue Jays youth movement that limited him to 103 at-bats after the All-Star break.
Zaidi likes Solarte because he can play all over the infield and is willing to work in left field. Solarte was so excited about the prospect he offered to play center, too. Zaidi laughed as he relayed the story and said, “Ah, OK, we’ll wait on that.”
Moreover, Solarte rarely strikes out and can draw a walk.
“You don’t see that with double-digit power that much in the game anymore,” Zaidi said. “So it’s some hitting ability with some power and some contact, and a nice all-around package to be put in our lineup.”
Zaidi probably is not done. Yes, the Bryce Harper pursuit remains alive. So are potential contingency signings and trades the club has discussed for months that could significantly alter the roster.
But the river of journeyman signings will slow. The Giants believe competition is valuable, but they also want younger players such as infielders Alen Hanson (who is out of minorleague options) and Abiatal Avelino, and outfielders Austin Slater and Drew Ferguson, to feel like they have a legitimate chance to make the team.
“We want competition, but we don’t want this to be a reality show or a tryout camp,” Zaidi said.
Solarte does not have a good defensive reputation, although Zaidi called him a “very competent defender.”
“He’s a good hitter,” Giants catching hopeful and former Padres teammates Rene Rivera said, noting the dimensions at Petco Park did not faze Solarte even before the fences were moved in. “He has a good approach, and he has a good strike zone.”
Manager Bruce Bochy said the club was “excited” to get Solarte, who, like Parra, brings familiarity with the National League West. Solarte was a Padre for more than three seasons after his 2014 acquisition from the Yankees in a deal for third baseman Chase Headley. Duggar’s progress: Center fielder Steven Duggar took a big step in his comeback from a dislocated shoulder when he took batting practice on the field for the first time.
Bochy was about to install Duggar as the everyday leadoff hitter when he sustained the injury diving for a ball on Aug. 28. If Duggar makes the team as expected, he probably will hit first or second.
Duggar batted in a group with Ryder Jones, who also hit outdoors for the first time since a September operation to repair a dislocated kneecap. Briefly: Gentry, 35, will report to minor-league camp. He has played in 10 big-league seasons, including 2014-15 in Oakland . ... Just three days into workouts, the pitchers got a day off from throwing bullpen sessions. The Giants are serious about preserving arms with a long Cactus League and regular-season schedule ahead.