2014 was once again a fun ride for the San Francisco Giants, with three championships in the last five years. The last thing you want to do is disband a team that seems to have a flow going on. Pablo Sandoval has left, Michael Morse looks to be gone, and two starter spots have opened with Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong in free agency. There is definite openings the Giants need to address. Here are some wild assumptions, but honestly don't seem too unrealistic.
San Francisco Giants trade P Kyle Crick, P Chris Stratton, and 3B Adam Duvall to the Kansas City Royals for 1B Eric Hosmer: Hosmer was Kansas City's top draft pick in 2008 straight out of high school from Florida and was looked at to be their next star. Royals may be a little hesitant to trade Hosmer now or in the near future since they sent Wil Myers their other top prospect to Tampa Bay to acquire James Shields. Shields is most likely gone and it is a bat the Royals lost. Royals are a small market team and Hosmer's price will eventually rise to a sum I don't think the Royals will be able to support. Hosmer is a great defender, finds a way to put the ball in play, and is athletic with a lot of upside. Hampered by injuries and inconsistencies, Hosmer has not become the player they have hoped so far. While he is young and total value isn't up yet, Giants could part with three of their prospects to acquire Hosmer. Why bring Hosmer in? Brandon Belt was originally an outfielder in the minor leagues and was moved to first base. He is athletic enough that they could move him to left field just like they did with Travis Ishikawa. Belt and Hosmer are both great defenders but bringing in Hosmer and shifting Belt to left field would allow the Giants to stop the platoon in left field and have their every day player. Hosmer is 25 and has a lot of ball left and should be entering his prime in the next 2-3 years and would be a nice addition to the Giants, while still allowing them to spend money on free agents to sign a pitcher and third baseman.
San Francisco Giants trade P Kyle Crick and P Derek Law to Kansas City for P Greg Holland:
Another Kansas City player showing up on my list, but it is for a pretty important reason. The money their top players will be requiring, they can't pay all of them. Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera, and Greg Holland formed one of baseball's fearful trios in 2014, and all are going to demand to be paid at some point. Davis and Herrera look more valuable to skill and age, and Holland is the odd man out. Still fairly young and in his prime, Greg Holland would be a big boost to an aging and dominant bullpen in San Francisco. Jeremy Affeldt, Javier Lopez, and Santiago Casilla all look to be gone in the next two to three years due to age, and Giants have young-and-ready guys to come up, and Holland would be a nice mentor to them. Holland is consistent with his high fastball and stellar with his slider which is hard to hit. Giants have the money and experience, adding Holland would just continue to their brilliance in the bullpen and take over for Casilla.
San Francisco Giants trade P Kyle Crick, 3B Adam Duvall, and P Chris Heston to Kansas City Royals for OF Alex Gordon:
Alex Gordon looks like the ideal San Francisco Giants player. He was the guy who nearly helped the Kansas City Royals win with one swing of the bat in the World Series in Game 7. Alex Gordon took awhile to develop into the player he is today but better now than never. Gordon is a gap hitter, smart base-runner who knows how to score, and arguably one of the best defenders in the game today. Gordon plays all out and hustles, solid arm, and makes acrobatic catches to save runs. Already playing in a pitcher's park in Kansas City, the shift would not be difficult and would help contribute to solid defensive group already fielded in San Francisco. His competitiveness fits well with this ball club, and the Giants would be able to meet his demands for a contract extension, as opposed to the Kansas City Royals. If this is not a move that could occur this offseason, maybe during the trade deadline, or next offseason. I would approve much of this move.
San Francisco Giants trade P Kyle Crick, 1B Brandon Belt, P Ty Blach to the Tampa Bay Rays for 3B Evan Longoria:
Highly admired since being drafted by the Rays, Evan Longoria has had high expectations every season. He has performed well or he doesn't seems to be the pattern. At age 29, Longoria is in his prime now, and possesses a big bat at a position where the Giants currently have a vacancy. Giants have won three World Series, and have plenty of money to spend and belong in the big market talk. San Francisco is a great city and is a sports city. Longoria signed a large extension with Tampa Bay, but their future is looking bleak with being stuck in Tampa Bay and Longoria is one of their most valuable assets. Giants need another right handed power bat in the line up and Longoria is that guy. Longoria has above average defense too and is athletic to make big stops. If he can continue to show he can stay health like he did in all 162 games in 2014 games, this a trade the Giants should bug the Rays with, as it would be good for the Giants and the Rays and a player who teams have not decided to contact yet. Giants would be ahead of the game and should continue to see themselves in playoff contention. Losing Belt would hurt, but receiving Evan Longoria back in return is not a bad move.
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