MLB rumors: 3 teams that lost out on Rafael Devers and their likely backup plan
By Tim Boyle
2) MLB rumors: What the Giants can do at third base next winter instead
The San Francisco Giants were hoping to make some sort of big free agent splash this offseason. MLB rumors about their interest in Aaron Judge began well before he hit 62 home runs for the New York Yankees. They lost out on him and when they pivoted to Carlos Correa, they walked away after his physical.
The Giants have added a few pieces this offseason but none at the level of Rafael Devers. With him off the table, there is an obvious target for them to out and sign.
Manny Machado of the rival San Diego Padres is expected to opt out of his contract this offseason. The Giants, with money to burn and a need to improve, should be the first team to give him a call once it does become official that he has hit the open market.
Machado has already gone from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Padres. It’s only natural for him to go up the West Coast and spend some time with the San Francisco Giants. The team will have a need at the hot corner. They could do much worse than stealing him from the Padres.
Machado was the runner-up in the MVP race in 2022. He remains one of the best players in the game. Brilliant on both sides of the ball, he’s the guy the Giants cannot let leave the ballpark.
As for 2023, expect Wilmer Flores and a few others to play third base in San Francisco.