Harper, Giants: Both sides interested
Zaidi, Baer, Bochy go to Las Vegas to make a pitch to free agent
SAN FRANCISCO>> If there was any question about whether the Giants’ pursuit of free agent star Bryce Harper has validity, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi provided a firm answer Friday: “There’s obviously mutual interest on both sides,” he said.
Zaidi, manager Bruce Bochy and Giants chief executive Larry Baer met this week with Harper in Las Vegas while the right fielder remains unsigned as the offseason draws to a close. Though the Giants have yet to add a free agent position player this offseason, Zaidi doesn’t plan to recruit Harper, 26, from the comfort of his new office.
“We thought it made sense to get together,” said Zaidi, who added they talked to the player for a few hours. “He’s obviously got a lot of suitors and a lot of interest and he’s going to have some decisions to make. But I think that’s fair to say that was an expression of our interest level to make a trip out there.”
After winning 64 games in 2017 and 73 a year ago, the Giants are not publicly billing themselves as contenders in 2019. Zaidi has stressed patience and the importance of small, incremental improvements to the roster in his first year in San Francisco.
Team veterans said during a media day Friday that they understand Zaidi’s vision. But they’re also eager to add established talent.
“What team out there wouldn’t want a Bryce Harper or a Manny Machado or a lot of the free agents out there,” catcher Buster Posey asked.
Bochy wouldn’t mind having Harper in the lineup, either.
“It was a great meeting, really Harper
good to get to know Bryce,” Bochy said. “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen but I enjoyed the meeting with him.”
The six-time All-Star and his agent, Scott Boras, are reportedly seeking a longterm contract in the $300 million to $400 million range. Even in a slow market, it’s possible Harper is one of the few free agents who will find a deal that meets or exceeds his expectations.
Though the Giants haven’t committed more than $7 million to a free agent this offseason (Derek Holland), they were prepared to take on the near$300 million owed to current Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton last winter.
“There are circumstances that you might be more flexible for,” Zaidi said with regard to the Giants’ payroll. “Then circumstances that have to fall within the broader framework of what you set out for. Any time you’re talking about making a major addition that’s going to be a significant financial commitment, you may have to rework your plan a little.”
• Buster Posey expects to be ready for opening day next month after undergoing hip surgery in August.
Posey, who had a microfracture in his right hip repaired, began swinging a bat three weeks ago and plans to take the field
Wednesday for the first spring workout in Scottsdale, Arizona, he said.
“I’m optimistic that I’ll be able to play and have the same workload that I have had,” Posey said. “Take away last year, but that’s my mindset.”
Posey said he’ll coordinate a workout regimen with trainer Dave Groeschner, but is confident he will be a regular participant throughout the spring.
Zaidi and Bochy plan to bring the catcher along slowly — if necessary.
“I’m sure it’s going to help, that hip, he’s going to be able to release it on the swing,” Bochy said. “I listen to our medical staff and they’re confident that this is really going to help Buster out as far as catching
and throwing and on the hitting side.”
Posey couldn’t pinpoint exactly when his hip began to deteriorate but he needed additional rest days as early as May. After catching 122 games in 2016 and 97 in 2017, Posey appeared in 88 games behind the plate last season because of the injury.
At this year’s winter meetings in Las Vegas, Bochy said he remains hopeful Posey can return to catching about 120 games. But Zaidi said the Giants might ease the workload at the beginning of the season.
“We’re going to be smart about it, careful about it, not just going into camp but even going into the season,” Zaidi said. “If things go super well and even if he’s ready to carry a full
catching load to start the season, I’m not sure that would be the prudent course for us.”
Aramis Garcia is the early favorite to serve as Posey’s primary backup, but the Giants have signed veteran catchers Cameron Rupp and Rene Rivera to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.
“I am hopeful that we are in a position where we say, yeah, we’re making those improvements and that we think we’ve got a chance to be there at the end of this long season,” Posey said.
• When the Giants signed reliever Mark Melancon in 2017, the intent was for him to be the anchor of a bullpen that would be pitching deep into October every season. In the two years before signing a four-year, $62 million contract with San Francisco, Melancon saved 98 games. In his two years here, he has saved 14 games.
“Obviously it wasn’t the first two years that I envisioned or wanted,” Melancon said. “Bad timing, but you gotta get through it.”
Injury and inconsistency are to blame for Melancon’s precipitous slide but heading into year three of his Giants tenure, the reliever is optimistic that he can start to re-write his legacy.
“I’m feeling great,” said Melancon, 33. “This offseason has been great. I haven’t felt my arm like this in a long time. I feel like I should. I feel normal. Not to feel it — it’s an extremely relieving feeling.”