The MLB offseason has been a wild one so far, with surprising trades and stars on the move. While guys seem to flying off the market, there's quite a bit of players still out there unsigned, including Max Scherzer, Jon Lester, and James Shields. The Giants were the 2014 World Series Champions and what they've done in most recent years is try to keep their championship teams together. This season it is a little bit different with a little more holes to fill. Pablo Sandoval's decision to not return to San Francisco caught fans and baseball by surprise. Michael Morse was brought in as a risk/reward type of contract, with the Giants not knowing what he would provide. Morse flashed signs of his Washington Nationals days and it certainly bumped up his value in the market, making it seem less-likely he returns to the Bay Area. Sergio Romo was demoted to set-up man mid-season, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because he went on to having a solid finish to the year with his slider back in order. As much as San Francisco would want a big fan favorite and solid reliever back in Sergio Romo, I am wondering if his value would be too high for what the Giants would want to pay him. With a stocked minor league system in bullpen help (regardless of what experts rank the farm system), Giants have Brett Bochy, Hunter Strickland (who showed signs of a future closer for the Giants), Derek Law who is coming off Tommy John surgery, Cody Hall, and Erik Cordier who are ready when they are called up. With letting Romo walk, that would open up a spot this year, and next season, Jeremy Affeldt and Javier Lopez could open two more spots. Focusing onto 2015, this could be a year where the Giants look in-house to replenish their roster and fill the voids, or maybe it is time to spend some money. It is no secret the Giants are well-off as a franchise who could place themselves Top 5 in team payroll in all of baseball. These are players I feel with the money to spend, Giants should look at all possibilities.
SP Justin Masterson (7-9, 5.88 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 116 K's) - When you look at these numbers, you wonder why would this player even be considered, especially even on a minor league deal? Coming off a career year in 2013 for the Indians, what he couldn't do in Boston, it had looked like Masterson had found his stuff. Indians looked like they possibly had a solid starting pitcher. 2014 came along and it was awful to say the least. It was an apocalyptic-like type of season which made us forget about 2013, back to where Masterson originally was, mediocre seasons and overlooked, not what he probably imagined. St. Louis thought they would give it a try at the trade deadline to bring in Masterson and the awful season continued there. Masterson dealt with an array of injuries, his command was off, and was left off the playoff roster. It was just not a great year. What Masterson did two years ago is encouraging that it is still not too late for the 29 year old to build some value up for a team on a risk/reward type contract. Masterson will not earn a lot in 2015, and that should fuel the fire for him to produce again. Dave Righetti is one of the great current pitching coaches in baseball and probably might be in a list among some of the greatest pitching coaches of all-time. Righetti would love to have a type of player with something to prove, and what better way than to bring Masterston to San Francisco. For a pitcher who puts a lot of balls in play, a vast pitchers park, AT&T park , would be ideal for Masterson to build some confidence. Defensively, the Giants don't possess a bad defense, and they are above average. Giants have worked with journeymen Ryan Vogelsong and Yusmiero Petit and turned them into good pitchers, most notably Petit who filled in for Matt Cain and took advantage of the opportunity. With a guy trying to prove his worth, and a team looking to continue on their success, Justin Masterson might be the Giants "San Francisco Treat".
RF Alex Rios (.280 BA, 4 HR, 54 RBI, 17 SB) - What has looked like for years, the Giants have been keeping their eye and trying to acquire Alex Rios via trade. A trade is no longer necessary for the 33 year old. To some, what may seem like a down year is a guy who was constantly moved around the Rangers lineup that can never be determined. What might be his last big contract of his career, Rios would probably be looking to settle somewhere for the rest of his career with a contender. Rios has been with the Blue Jays, White Sox, and most recently the Rangers. Rios has hit for power in the past but has balanced out his game and has seen the home runs take a dip. Back in 2008, the Giants pressed hard for Rios, but it would've come at the expense of losing a Cy Young winning pitcher at the time, Tim Lincecum. Rios now can be looking where he would like to play. Giants are tired of a platoon in left field between Blanco and whoever they can find. Rios has never played left field in his career, but an athletic player that Rios is, playing in left should be a nice transition. Giants stole little bases last season, and Rios can produce that. For being a gap-hitter, the Giants should be able to court Alex Rios who still can play at a high level minus the power numbers, would be a nice right-handed bat addition and the platoon can be dropped. Rios clubhouse leadership would also be a benefit to the World Series Champions.
3B Chase Headley (.243 BA, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 7 SB) - Pablo Sandoval was a large surprise leaving San Francisco for Boston changing the landscape at third base. Sandoval was the fan favorite, but his decision has left a thin third base market for the Giants to pursue, since resigning him was expected. Life after Pablo is here, and Giants have options in-house with Joaquin Arias, Adam Duvall, and a wild notion of moving Buster Posey to third base. Those two don't look ready to man the bag full-time. The top remaining third baseman on the free agent market is Chase Headley. 2013 and 2014 was injury plagued for Headley who may look to perform and get his numbers back up. In reality, Chase Headley and Pablo Sandoval have similar numbers and Headley is a better defender. Familiar with the NL West, having played for the Padres, Headley has played at AT&T park a handful of times, Giants would be silly not to pursue Headley with a thin free agent pool and a lack of people on the trade market. Headley would be a great voice and what he provides as a switch hitter, just like Pablo was. Headley may not sell Panda hats, but he can sell that he is a perfect fit for the San Francisco Giants. Yankees look to be the Giants biggest threat.
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