Giants re-sign Moore as veteran relievers become free agents
Team picks up Moore’s option; doesn’t renew Lopez, Romo, Casilla
As Chicago prepares for a citywide holiday, the Giants front office got back to work on the first day of baseball’s offseason.
In a move so obvious that it merited no discussion, the Giants on Thursday picked up a $7 million option on left-hander Matt Moore.
It was also no surprise that eight Giants players became free agents: core bullpen members Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla as well as outfielder Angel Pagan, right-hander Jake Peavy, infielder Gordon Beckham, outfielder Gregor Blanco and righthander Joe Nathan.
The Giants are not expected to make any early overtures to re-sign any of the eight, although someone like Blanco or Beckham could be a back-burner priority depending on how the offseason shakes out.
They also made one minor roster move, outrighting backup catcher Tony Sanchez off the 40-man roster while activating players that had been on the 60-day disabled list. And they signed former AllStar pitcher Josh Johnson, who hasn’t thrown a pitch in three years, to a minor league contract.
Of greater importance, Giants G.M. Bobby Evans confirmed that the club will have representatives present in the next few days when free agent and former Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland holds a showcase to demonstrate his health following Tommy John surgery in October, 2015.
The Giants this winter will prioritize improving the back end of their bullpen – a major failing last season, when they blew a franchise-record 30 saves and lost nine games in which they led entering the ninth inning. They will have premium choices at premium prices on the free-agent market, including Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon.
But Evans left every impression that the Giants would give serious consideration to Holland, who turns 31 in November and was one of the game’s top closers in 2013 (1.21 ERA, 47 saves) and ’14 (1.44 ERA, 46 saves).
“We know enough about Tommy John surgeries to feel a level of confidence that the risk level is not the same as perhaps other injuries,” said Evans, asked about Holland but speaking in general terms. “Especially when it’s a guy who’s throwing for you in early November as opposed to having a showcase in January or February. The Giants picked up the $7 million option on Matt Moore, who was acquired before the trade deadline.
“Not to isolate on him, but in general, you look at the body of work first and foremost, and then the medical aspect. You have to have a pretty strong confidence in the body of work.”
The Giants need to have strong confidence in someone to handle the ninth inning. Their season ended with a tidy summary of their shortcomings, when they failed to protect a three-run lead in the ninth inning and lost Game 4 of their N.L. Division Series to the Cubs.