[DC 86]

SF is reportedly in the mix for Trevor Story.  Let’s hope Zaidi’s recent comments were a smoke screen.  I am in the group that believes a right-handed bat is needed to offset the loss of Posey.

I think SF is potentially in on anyone, but on their own terms. Rodon is a good example, high AAV but very short term commitment. If Story's market doesn't develop and he can be signed at what is perceived to be a bargain then I bet Zaidi strikes, in the scenario I mentioned in a previous post. But it's also possible that every remaining free agent will be an overpay and that SF will pass and fill out the roster with second or third tier value plays.

I still believe Castellanos and Story are the most likely signings since they fill the need of a strong right handed bat, but I would be shocked if SF stretched to sign either one or committed to a Bryant-length contract. The fact that they are still free agents at this stage is obviously promising for the Giants since unsigned players are presumably beginning to feel the pressure to find a team somewhere and are reducing their demands.


P.S. not sure where this belongs: but I believe Phogge has praised USF's MBB coach (Todd Golden) and he was hired to coach Florida today.

Philadelphia is focused on signing Castellanos.  As you noted in a previous post, the price of a draft choice (plus the money) may be too high for SF to consider signing him.

Story may be looking for a Rodon-like multi-year/opt out after the first year deal.  Story’s best bet is an opportunity to restore his value after a rough year in Colorado.  An opt out gives him one more chance at a big contract (he will be 30 going into the ‘23 season).

DC you probably have a better read than I on this, but I don’t get the sense Story is in the same ballpark as Bryant money wise.  And I’m talking about the real Bryant ballpark, not the massive overpay that the Rockies agreed to.

I truly hope the Giants position is not that they won’t sign anyone to a long term contract.  But that is how it looks to me.

If Story signs a long term contract I believe it will be in the Bryant range, meaning ~$25 million/year (although certainly not seven years.) And it's not inconceivable for someone like Seattle to make such an offer. I assume that the Giants are "in" on him in the sense that if his market collapses and he's open to a creative contract then they will step up as a fallback position, something along the lines of a Rodon deal (two years with an opt out after one year, but for more money of course), or a three or four year deal that's front loaded, also with an opt out. SF has a lot to offer: a respected coaching staff with proven results in helping players improve (relevant to Story coming off a bad year), the chance to play second base (relevant to Story who had elbow issues last year), a path to return to shortstop at some point, the opportunity to remain in the NL. Of course Boston offers some of the same things with the added feature of an excellent ballpark for right handed hitters.

It's the last chance this offseason for SF to add some right handed power, while upgrading at second and/or third base while providing cover at shortstop, without costing anything other than money. If the opportunity is there I have to believe the Giants would make an aggressive offer within their constraint of a short term deal, it just makes too much sense. Of course I think it makes even more sense for SF try to sign Carlos Correa for something like 8 years/$36 million AAV and it doesn't look like that's happening.


P.S. Kenley Jansen moving to Atlanta.

[DC 86]

SF is reportedly in the mix for Trevor Story.  Let’s hope Zaidi’s recent comments were a smoke screen.  I am in the group that believes a right-handed bat is needed to offset the loss of Posey.

I think SF is potentially in on anyone, but on their own terms. Rodon is a good example, high AAV but very short term commitment. If Story's market doesn't develop and he can be signed at what is perceived to be a bargain then I bet Zaidi strikes, in the scenario I mentioned in a previous post. But it's also possible that every remaining free agent will be an overpay and that SF will pass and fill out the roster with second or third tier value plays.

I still believe Castellanos and Story are the most likely signings since they fill the need of a strong right handed bat, but I would be shocked if SF stretched to sign either one or committed to a Bryant-length contract. The fact that they are still free agents at this stage is obviously promising for the Giants since unsigned players are presumably beginning to feel the pressure to find a team somewhere and are reducing their demands.


P.S. not sure where this belongs: but I believe Phogge has praised USF's MBB coach (Todd Golden) and he was hired to coach Florida today.

Philadelphia is focused on signing Castellanos.  As you noted in a previous post, the price of a draft choice (plus the money) may be too high for SF to consider signing him.

Story may be looking for a Rodon-like multi-year/opt out after the first year deal.  Story’s best bet is an opportunity to restore his value after a rough year in Colorado.  An opt out gives him one more chance at a big contract (he will be 30 going into the ‘23 season).

DC you probably have a better read than I on this, but I don’t get the sense Story is in the same ballpark as Bryant money wise.  And I’m talking about the real Bryant ballpark, not the massive overpay that the Rockies agreed to.

I truly hope the Giants position is not that they won’t sign anyone to a long term contract.  But that is how it looks to me.

If Story signs a long term contract I believe it will be in the Bryant range, meaning ~$25 million/year (although certainly not seven years.) And it's not inconceivable for someone like Seattle to make such an offer. I assume that the Giants are "in" on him in the sense that if his market collapses and he's open to a creative contract then they will step up as a fallback position, something along the lines of a Rodon deal (two years with an opt out after one year, but for more money of course), or a three or four year deal that's front loaded, also with an opt out. SF has a lot to offer: a respected coaching staff with proven results in helping players improve (relevant to Story coming off a bad year), the chance to play second base (relevant to Story who had elbow issues last year), a path to return to shortstop at some point, the opportunity to remain in the NL. Of course Boston offers some of the same things with the added feature of an excellent ballpark for right handed hitters.

It's the last chance this offseason for SF to add some right handed power, while upgrading at second and/or third base while providing cover at shortstop, without costing anything other than money. If the opportunity is there I have to believe the Giants would make an aggressive offer within their constraint of a short term deal, it just makes too much sense. Of course I think it makes even more sense for SF try to sign Carlos Correa for something like 8 years/$36 million AAV and it doesn't look like that's happening.


P.S. Kenley Jansen moving to Atlanta.