A look into the Giants’ lack of acquisitions and what it means in the race for the division crown
Michael Shames | Co-News Editor
Just like every MLB offseason, the one of 2014 contained mind-blowing trades and free-agent signings, and gave us a pretty good understanding of who is trying to make a run this year (eg. Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox). In this piece, I will look at the lack of moves of our hometown favorite San Francisco Giants, as well as talk about the implications of the moves around them.
The defending champion Giants still have yet to add a Major Leaguer to their roster this year through free agency or the trade market, striking out on the re-signing of third base postseason savior Pablo Sandoval, and losing the sweepstakes on first-tier starter Jon Lester to the Chicago Cubs and Cuban left fielder Yasmany Thomas to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The fact that they could not sign the first two is less on the Giants and more on the players themselves, as they were able to match (or even overcome) the expensive offers that other teams were throwing at these players. Sandoval inked a 5 year, $95 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, Lester’s deal at 6 years for $155 million.
But now, the Giants are left with significant salary cap space and three major positions that they would like filled before the season: starting pitcher, third baseman (because we don’t want Joaquin Arias starting in the hot corner), and left fielder.
As far as starting pitching goes, there are still quite a few viable options at this point. At the top of this list is Max Scherzer, a guy who is demanding upwards of $200 million and is probably out of the Giants reach. More plausible, however, is Madison Bumgarner’s adversary in the 2014 World Series: “Big Game” James Shields. Shields has been very consistent and solid the past four years, finishing near the top in innings pitch each year while boasting an ERA hovering around 3.20. He could become a very valuable two-three starter on this pitcher-first team. Topping the list of other options is re-signing veteran Jake Peavy, who played well down the stretch for the team. Another possible fit includes re-signing Ryan Vogelsong, a less solid and less consistent player.
That brings us to the big whole on the right side that the Panda left at the zoo: third base. The options at this position are very slim, with Chase Headley being the only other pure third baseman left in the market. Headley had a fairly disappointing season last year for the San Diego Padres and later the New Yankees, only hitting .243 with a low 13 home runs for a power hitting corner player. However, he still finished the season as an above average player, with a 3.5 wins above replacement (WAR). The ceiling for this guy at this point in his career is probably no more than 25 home runs with a .280 batting average, but anything really would be better than the waning production that Joaquin Arias has given the team the past three seasons. Other options could include a trade for an infield utility player, such as long-time veteran Martin Prado, who is on the decline, or perhaps a switch from first base to third base for power hitting prospect Adam Duvall.
The team has yet to re-sign Michael Morse, whose production dropped off towards the end of last season, leaving an open spot in front of the AT&T’s Glove and Coke Bottle. There are three guys left on the market that I could see fitting into this situation with the Giants. These players include former Toronto Blue Jays Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus, and former Kansas City Royal Nori Aoki. Cabrera seems like the best fit for the Giants. However, it looks like the Chicago White Sox might snag Melky sooner or later. But considering that he is already familiar with the organization (played his 2012 season with the team), as well as being the only experienced left fielder, I believe he would make sense as a relatively cheap sign for the Giants. Cabrera also batted over .300 for all of last season when he was off steroids (presumably), so he is still a very valuable asset.
Now let’s take a look at the other teams in the NL West and see how their moves could impact the fate of the division. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who finished in the NL West doghouse last season, made one big splash in the free agent frenzy, landing Yasmany Thomas out of Cuba. Thomas could match up very well for this team alongside young superstar Paul Goldschmidt. But the D-Backs might be handcuffed by the trades that sent veteran catcher Miguel Montero to the Cubs and left handed starter Wade Miley to the Red Sox.
The Colorado Rockies haven’t really done much to be noted this offseason, but might trade for New York Mets starter Dillon Gee. The Rockies have some dangerous hitters in that lineup, with Troy Tulowitzki, Corey Dickerson, Nolan Arenado, and Charlie Blackmon, but their pitching is still a long way off from having success at Coors Field. I don’t see either the D-Backs or Rockies contending for a division crown anytime soon.
The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers improved the most in the division, and I will expect both to be able to compete this year with the defending champs. The Padres improved their outfield hitting immensely by trading for Matt Kemp. All they had to give up to the Dodgers was catcher Yasmani Grandal (who was having major growing pains) and two prospects, so overall, the Padres found a nice, short-term deal. I expect the Padres’ starting core of Ian Kennedy, Andrew Cashner, Jessie, Hahn and Odrisamer Despaigne to continue to improve.
Aside from that trade with the Padres, the Dodgers were able to steal second baseman Howie Kendrick from the Los Angeles Angels and veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies in a flurry of jaw-dropping trades. Other than Kemp, their main loss was Dee Gordon, but Kendrick is actually an improvement at the second base position. Furthermore, dealing Kemp gave them more room to play exciting prospect Joc Pederson, who is sure to make an impact with significant playing time in the majors. The Dodgers were also able to snag Brandon McCarthy in a four year deal, which is definitely an improvement to their Kershaw-led starting rotation.
This will be yet another exciting race in the NL West, but don’t count the Giants out just because it’s an “odd year”. We will see if they can come up with anything, considering their excess of money in this last stretch of free agency. But do expect Brian Sabean to make at least one, if not two or three, big acquisitions before the regular season.
