San Francisco Giants Offseason Options
What are the offseason options for the San Francisco Giants?
San Francisco celebrated a World Series win in 2014, but the Giants are losing key pieces and need to begin adding pieces back to put a championship-winning roster back together.
Switch-hitting third baseman Pablo Sandoval was a free agent this offseason and signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox on Nov. 25th worth over $100 million with incentives over five years. Sandoval could have won World Series MVP if it weren’t for the outstanding performances by ace Madison Bumgarner.
Outfielder Mike Morse’s contract expired making him a free agent this offseason. Morse contributed hitting .279 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI’s in 131 games. A right-handed power threat could be re-signed, however Morse will turn 33 in May and isn’t an ideal fit with the Giants.
Pitcher Jake Peavy was acquired by the Giants at the trade deadline from the Red Sox. One year removed from winning a World Series, Peavy knows that he has to perform better than his 2014 campaign where he went 7-13 with a 3.73 ERA. Peavy performed much better in the National League with a 2.71 ERA. A free agent, Peavy could return to the Giants.
The Giants have several needs entering this offseason that they could add to the team. Losing Sandoval was a big loss because of the production he provided from both sides of the plate and defensively. Needing a third baseman, the Giants also lost the trust of Sergio Romo as their closer late in the season and gave the nod to Santiago Casilla. Casilla may be the answer at closer, but the Giants could be in the market for a new closer as well.
Starter Matt Cain will be back from injury in 2015, but the Giants could look to add a top-of-the-line starter with the money they saved from Sandoval, or they could go after a backend starter to strengthen the rotation that way. After using a platoon system in 2014, the Giants could go after an everyday starter in the outfield after losing Morse to free agency. A speedy outfielder would help to put in centerfield, or stick a power-hitting outfielder in left field to replace Morse.
The first need the Giants need to address is signing or trading for an everyday third baseman. Their best option is signing Chase Headley. Headley, like Sandoval, is a switch-hitting third basemen who has a good glove. With the Padres and Yankees in 2014, Headley hit .243 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI’s in 135 games. Headley was offered a four-year, $65 million deal, but the team who made the offer is unknown, according to Jeff Passan.
Sources: Clubs being told Chase Headley has a four-year offer for ~$65M. @JonHeymanCBS says Marlins interested. Unclear if that's the team.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 4, 2014
Pitching is of need in both the rotation and the bullpen. Jon Morosi reported on Thursday that the Giants are interested in starter Ervin Santana. Santana spent his first eight seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, but is now in search of his fourth team in as many years. The right-hander went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA last season with the Atlanta Braves. The Giants could also pursue a deal with Justin Masterson, who was less than impressive last season.
The Jamaican-born right-hander went 7-9 with an atrocious 5.88 ERA in 2014 with the Indians and Cardinals. To improve the backend of the bullpen, the Giants could approach closer David Robertson who saved 39 games with a 3.08 ERA with 63 appearances for the Yankees last season. However, Robertson’s price may be too high, which the Giants could then look to go after Rafael Soriano who saved 32 games for the Nationals with a 3.19 ERA in 64 appearances in 2014.
Jon Lester is hardly the only starting pitcher #SFGiants are pursuing. They are showing interest in Ervin Santana, among others.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 5, 2014
Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy has been known to use a platoon of outfielders, sometimes due to injuries, but they need to lockdown an everyday left fielder that will bring offensive production that will be missed from Sandoval and Morse’s departures. Perhaps the best option on the free agent market is Jonny Gomes who hit .234 with six home runs and 37 RBI’s in 2014 with the Red Sox and Athletics. Signing Gomes would likely mean the Giants would continue to use a platoon system in their outfield.
Trading for an everyday left fielder would be the best option for the Giants. With winter meetings right around the corner, a deal may get done over the next week. Depending on what the Red Sox are looking for, which they have proven it is to win-now, there may not be a deal available as the Giants look to get back to the World Series. The Giants should pursue an opportunity to deal for the All-Star. In time with the Athletics and Red Sox, Cespedes hit .260 with 22 home runs and 100 RBI’s. Don’t forget the throw of the year he made in a game against the Angels. Cespedes is a five-tool player that will give the Giants extra star-power.
This offseason is an exciting time and with winter meetings beginning early next week, deals are about to be made. Giants fans can be optimistic after losing Sandoval because of the potential moves they can make this offseason.