Blogger's Note: Poll Results

I appreciate the engagement of the 20 people who responded to the poll.  The question was, Should We Keep the Google AI Links in the Posts?  The final tally is....

Yes:  12

No:  6

Of the 12 who answered Yes, 2 said they don't personally use it but think we should keep it. Of the 6 who answered No, 3 said they don't use it or like it but it's OK to stay if other's want to keep it. 

The final verdict is we will keep it for now.  I will see if I can tinker with it to make is more user-friendly and relevant.  I have long wanted for readers to be able to link to a Bio/Stats page by clicking on the name of a player but was never able to figure out how to do it on Blogger.  When Blogger offered this free option I saw it was an easy solution to that wish.  I admit I was a surprised at some of the links, especially ones that tell me some clever phrase I made up or borrowed is not really a thing.  I am also surprised that many players who do have bios and stat pages on sites like Baseball Reference, MLB or Fangraphs don't link.  What's that about?  I am not sure what readers see when they click on the links but in addition to a Google AI summary, I also see links to player's bio pages on multiple websites and readers can choose which site they prefer to use.  To me that's enough of a plus that it's worth keeping and trying to improve it.  

I do want to assure readers who are dismayed at what AI has done to social media this is not that.  I am NOT using AI to write my posts.  Every word I write is mine and mine alone.  If I borrow a clever phrase like "shopping the Brebbia Aisle" I always try to give credit where it's due and tell you where I got if from.  But yes, I hate AI generated content as much as all of you and you can generally spot it from the first sentence or two.  The sentences are too cleverly written with lots of "flowery" language but extremely superficial content with little to no useful or new information.  I can assure you won't see that on this blog. I will shut it down before I resort to that lazy content production.  

Again, thanks to everybody who reads and comments.  You all are a big part of what makes this blog great.

Hot Stove League Update: Roster Churning On Rule 5 Draft Protection Day

Yesterday was the last day to players to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 Draft which goes down on the last day of the Winter Meetings.  It's a happy day for players who get added and a scary one for players who get dropped into the DFA death loop.  While it's not unheard of for a DFA'd player to find a better situation and thrive in it, for the vast majority, this day essentially marks the end of their hopes for a career in major league baseball.  The process itself contributes to that.  I'm not saying Carson Ragsdale RHP's MLB career hopes are over but bouncing around to the fringes of the system getting claimed, dropped and reclaimed harms his development. 

It's way beyond the scope of this blog to review the myriads of 40-man roster adds and DFA's from yesterday but some of the recognizable names dropped include J J Bleday OF(A's), Christopher Morel OF(Rays), Jake Fraley OF(Rays), Taylor Saucedo LHP(Mariners), Jason Foley RHP(Tigers) and Ramon Urias IF(Astros).  Of that group I could see the Giants being interested in Foley who earned 28 Saves with a 3.15 ERA last season and has a MLBTR Projected Salary of $3.15 M in his first season of arbitration eligibility.

The Giants did not make any moves which either means they do not see any of their Rule 5 Draft Eligible prospects worthy or protection or that they really don't want to lose anyone currently on the 40-man roster without some type of compensation.  Don't forget top prospect Bryce Eldridge 1B/DH and Drew Gilbert OF were added late last season although Eldridge would not have needed protection had he not already been added.  The Giants 40-man roster is full so they won't participate in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 draft.  They have something like 25 Rule 5 Draft Eligible players in their system so are at risk for losing some of those.  Off the top of my head none of those at-risk players are likely to stay on a MLB roster for a full season so are unlikely to be lost to the Giants forever.  They could lose some in the minor league phase but could also select some players from other teams to help fill out minor league rosters.

Tuesday was the deadline for players to accept Qualifying Offers.  Four players accepted:  Trent Grisham OF(Yankees), Gleyber Torres 2B(Tigers), Shota Imanaga LHP(Cubs), Brandon Woodruff RHP(Brewers).  All four play positions the Giants can use upgrades in.  Nine players declined their offers:  Kyle Schwarber DH(Phillies), Kyle Tucker RF(Cubs), Ranger Suarez LHP(Phillies), Framber Valdez LHP(Astros), Bo Bichette SS/2B(Blue Jays), Dylan Cease RHP(Padres), Edwin Diaz RHP(Mets), Zac Gallen RHP(D'Backs), Michael King RHP(Padres).  While several of those players would look great in a Giants uniform, there are plenty of free agents who can help the Giants next season without a QO attached.

While the Giants continue to fill out their coaching staff for next season, several teams got a jump on the Hot Stove League with trades and signings:

The Angels traded Taylor Ward OF, who was an arbitration non-tender candidate, to the Orioles for Grayson Rodriguez RHP.  Ward hit 36 home runs with 100 RBI's but that came with a low BA and high K rate.  His MLBTR predicted arbitration salary is $13.7 M.  Rodriguez was a rising star before missing the 2025 season with arm injuries and underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in the elbow.  The Angels expect him to be ready for spring training.  I am less sure of a pitcher returning to full strength after this surgery than with Tommy John surgery so the Angels are taking a risk here but the upside is huge.  Rodriguez is still pre-arbitration.

The Astros traded Forever Giant Mauricio Dubon UT to the Braves for Nick Allen SS.  Dubon is a better hitter and more versatile than Allen, but Allen is a superior defensive SS.  Both players are eligible for arbitration with MLBTR projected salaries of $5.8 M for Dubon and $1.5 M for Allen.

The Braves re-signed Raisel Iglesias RHP to a 1 yr/$16 M contract.  Where this move impacts the Giants is it sets the market for veteran Closers, something the Giants are in desperate need of.  Iglesias was terrible for the first two months of last season but was one of the best Closers in MLB over the final 4 months.  He is probably the floor of what the top available closers will get on the free agent market.  When Buster Posey was asked point blank if the Giants were going to target an established Closer or leave the position open to competition, Buster said probably more the latter.  Perhaps the Mark Melancon RHP experience is still fresh in his mind?

Blogger's Note: Poll

 Hey Team!  I got a note from a concerned reader who is not diggin' the AI links.  I was hoping the links would make it easier for folks to look up stats ons specific players but I agree sometimes the links are to things that are irrelevant or show contempt for our reader's level of knowledge and it often fails to link to less well-known players who are more likely to be the ones folks want to look up.  So, I am going to use a rudimentary poll to help guide decisionmaking.  In the comments please post Yes if you would like to see the links continue and No if you want them to go away.  It's OK to add some comments as to why you have your opinion.  Please try to avoid long rants.

As always, thanks for reading and commenting, everybody!

Scouting the 2026 MLB Amateur Draft: Drew Burress

Drew Burress OF, College(Georgia Tech).  DOB:  12/5/2004.  B-R, T-R.  5' 9", 175 lbs.  

2024:  .381/.512/.821, 25 HR, 8 SB, 58 BB, 37 K, 285 PA.

2024(CCBL):  .125/.282/.219, HR, 3 SB, 13 BB, 22 K, 78 PA.

2025:  .333/.469/.693, 19 HR, 10 SB, 53 BB, 42 K, 290 PA.

Lots of power in a compact, athletic frame.  Not much to dislike in those stat lines.  Second team All-American as a freshman, first team in his second season.  Probably fast and athletic enough to be a true CF.  Could challenge Roch Cholowsky for #1 overall selection.

Scouting the Hot Stove League: Hitter Trade Targets

 The Giants need to add at least one hitter, better yet two, in this year's Hot Stove League.  Trades are notoriously hard to predict but here are some players who may be available per MLBTR.  We will limit the positions to 1B/DH, 2B and RF as the Giants seem set at other positions.

Brendan Donovan UT(Cardinals).  DOB:  1/16/1997.  B-L, T-R.  5' 11", 210 lbs.  MLBTR Projected Arbitration Salary $5.4 M(controlled through 2027).  .287/.353/.422, 10 HR, 8.2 BB%, 13.0 K%, 515 PA.  

If there is one player the Giants could acquire who solves most of their positional player problems in one move, it's Brendan Donovan.  Can play a better than decent 2B and OF, though has been limited to LF.  Hits well enough to DH.  Doesn't add to any logjams because of his versatility.  Maybe adding his excess value to a Sonny Gray trade makes Gray's value deficit more palatable?

Brandon Lowe 2B(Rays).  DOB:  7/6/1994.  B- L, T-R.  5' 10", 190 lbs.  10.5 M club option for 2026.  .256/.307/.477, 31 HR, 6.9 BB%, 26.9 K%. 553 PA.  

More of a power hitter than Donovan but Buster Posey might balk at the K rate.

Jarren Duran OF(Red Sox).  DOB:  9/5/1996.  B- L, T-R.  6' 1", 205 lbs.  $8 M club option for 2026, arbitration controlled through 2028.  .256/.332/.442, 16 HR, 24 SB, 8.6 BB%, 24.3 K%, 696 PA.

BoSox have a logjam in the OF and could be looking to unjam with a trade or two but will be looking for a lot in return.  Trade discussion would likely start with Bryce Eldridge, but the Giants would get a darn good player for at least 3 years in return.  Can play all 3 OF positions but mostly played LF.

Wilyer Abreu OF(Red Sox).  DOB:  6/24/1999.  B-L, T-L.  5' 10", 215 lbs.  $8 M club option for 2026, arbitration controlled through 2029.  .247/.317/.469, 22 HR, 6 SB, 9.6 BB%, 24.2 K%, 417 PA.  

Similar player to Duran but more of a true RF which may make him more attractive to the Giants and he has 4 years of arbitration control vs Duran's 3.  Again, trade talks would start with Bryce Eldridge.

Steven Kwan OF(Guardians).  DOB:  9/5/1997.  B-L, T-L.  5' 8", 170 lbs.  MLBTR Projected Arbitration Salary $8.8 M controlled through 2027.  .272/.330/.374, 11 HR, 21 SB, 7.9 BB%, 8.7 K%, 693 PA.  

Super high contact guy with little power.  Highly rated defensive LF.  A challenge trade for Heliot Ramos might make some sense here for both teams.  

Taylor Ward OF(Angels).  DOB:  12/14/1993.  B-R, T-R.  6' 0", 200 lbs.  .228/.317/.475, 36 HR, 11.3 BB%, 26.4 K%, 663 PA.  MLBTR Projected Arbitration Award $13.7 M control through 2026.

1 yr rental power bat.  Buster may not be keen on the K's and low BA/OBP.

Jo Adell OF(Angels).  DOB:  4/8/1999.  B-R, T-R.  6' 2", 215 lbs.  .236/293/.485, 37 HR, 5.8 BB%, 26.4 K%.  

Perennial trade candidate who never gets traded.  It's even a joke on many baseball-oriented websites.  Another raw power bat with low BA and high K's.  Maybe not Buster's cup of tea?

Adolis Garcia(Rangers).  DOB:  3/2/1993.  B-R, T-R.  6' 0", 205 lbs.  .227/.271/.394, 19 HR, 13 SB, 5.1 BB%, 24.7 K%, 547 PA.  MLBTR projected salary $12.1 M controlled through 2026.

Outstanding defensive RF but bat has fallen of dramatically since 2023.

Randy Arozarena OF(Mariners).  DOB:  2/28/1995.  B-R, T-R.  5' 10", 185 lbs.  .238/.334/.426, 27 HR, 31 SB, 9.0 BB%, 26.9 K%, 709 PA.  MLBTR Projected Salary $18.2 M controlled through 2026.

Nice power speed combination.  More high K's.  

Triston Casas 1B(Red Sox).  DOB:  1/15/2000.  B-L , T-R.  6' 4", 244 lbs.  .182/.277/.303, 3 HR, 9.8 BB%, 24.1 K%, 112 PA.  MLBTR Projected Salary $1.7 M controlled through 2028.  

Got off to a slow start mostly due to bad BABIP luck then went down with a ruptured patella tendon.  

Jake Burger 1B(Rangers).  DBOL. 4/10/1996.  B-R, T-R.  6' 0", 230 lbs.  .236/.269/.419, 16 HR, 3.2 BB%, 24.7 K%.  

Streaky hitter with some power.  Doesn't take walks but strikes out a lot.  Not much here to tempt Buster.

J. J. Bleday OF(A's).  DOB:  11/10/1997.  B-L, T- L.  6' 2", 205 lbs.  .212/.294/.404, 14 HR, 10.5 BB%, 26.5 K%, 344 PA.  MLBTR Projected Salary $2.2 M controlled through 2028.  

Former first round draft pick who lost his starting position last season.  Regressed from a strong 2024.  Maybe worth a flyer as a cost-controlled bounceback candidate if the trade cost is not too high. Again, K's are an issue.

Alek Thomas OF(D'Backs).  DOB:  4/28/2000.  B-L, T-L.  5' 9", 175 lbs.  .249/.289/.370, 9 HR, 7 SB, 4.5 BB%, 26 K%, 469.  MLBTR Projected Salary $2.2 M controlled through 2028.  

Once an elite defensive CF.  Bat never developed and his D metrics have regressed.  Not much here to favor over Drew Gilbert.

Nick Castellanos OF/DH.  DOB:  3/4/1992.  B- R, T-R.  6' 3", 203 lbs.  .250/.294/.400, 17 HR, 5.4 BB%, 22.6 K%, 589 PA.  Under Contract 1 yr/$20 M.  

MLBTR thinks Castellanos has played his last game for the Phillies and will either be cut or traded.  Phillies would have to eat most of his contract in a trade or take a bad contract back.  Might be a nice 1 yr, RH DH option for the price but doesn't hit LHP's any better than RHP's.  

Christian Walker 1B(Astros).  DOB:  3/28/1991.  B- R, T-R.  5' 11", 208 lbs.  .238/.297/.421, 27 HR, 6.3 BB%, 27.7 K%, 640 PA.  Under Contract 2 yr/$40 M.  

Pricy but the Astros have a logjam and might be willing to pay down salary obligation.  Longtime thorn in Giants side when he was with the D'Backs.  K rate ballooned with Astros.

Comment:  There are several players in this list who make attractive trade targets for the Giants.  Brendan Donovan in particular seems like a perfect fit but that's true for a lot of teams.  He won't come cheap unless he's traded in a package with Sonny Gray to get the acquiring team to take on more of Gray's contract.  A straight up challenge trade of Ramos for Steven Kwan would put Buster's ballpark fit theories to the test. But then Buster would still need to find a RF.

Scouting the 2026 Amateur Draft: A. J. Gracia

A. J. Gracia OF, College(Virginia).  DOB:  10/27/2004.  B-L, T-L.  6' 3", 195 lbs.   

2024(Duke):  .305/.440/.559, 14 HR, 5 SB, 48 BB, 55 K, 278 PA.  

2024(CCBL):  .267/.421/.467, HR, SB, 4 BB, 4 K, 19 PA.

2025(Duke):  .293/.449/.558, 15 HR, 8 SB, 57 BB, 36 K, 285 PA.  

Smooth swinging lefty hitter and thrower who uses the whole field and is more of a hitter with power than a power hitter.  Plate discipline can cross the line into passivity.  Plays CF well in college but projects as a corner OF in MLB.  Transferring to Virginia for 2026 along with his coach from Duke.  

Scouting the Hot Stove League: Free Agent Hitters

 I think we all agree that as presently constructed, the Giants roster needs at least one more bat and probably two in order to be competitive in 2026.  Short of a major roster makeover, there are several positions where a bat could be added including 1B/DH(assuming Bryce Eldridge isn't quite ready), 2B and RF which still leaves a fairly long list of potential additions.  We'll start with some of the top free agent bats on the market:

Kyle Tucker RF.  DOB:  1/17/1997.  B-L, T-R.  6' 4", 212 lbs.  .266/.377/.464, 22 HR, 25 SB, 14.6 BB%, 14.7 K%.  MLBTR projected contract:  11 yr/$400 M.

Top player on the market but coming off a down season featuring two injuries and an extended midseason slump.  This is the second season in a row he missed significant time with injuries.  Is that in itself a red flag?  The Giant most glaring hole is in RF so he is a perfect fit, albeit not a great defender there, but can they or should they take on another long term mega contract, especially one with some obvious negatives?

Bo Bichette SS/2B.  DOB:  3/5/1998.  B-R, T-R.  5', 11", 190 lb.  .311/.357/.483, 18 HR, 4 SB, 6.4 BB%, 14.5 K%, 628 PA.  MLBTR Projected contract:  8 yr/$208 M.  Nice bounceback season after a disastrous, injury-marred 2024, but missed time at the end of the season with a PCL sprain.  Performed well in the World Series.  Does not grade out well on defense at SS but the Giants would want him to play 2B anyway where he would form a dynamic up-the-middle pairing with Willy Adames.  MLBTR projects him to be considerably more affordable than Kyle Tucker but I wonder if they are selling him short?

Munetaka Murakami 3B/1B.  DOB:  2/2/2000.  B-L, T-R.  6' 2", 213 lbs.  JPCL:  .273/.379/.663, 22 HR, 32 BB, 64 K, 224 PA.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  8 yr/180 M(plus posting fee).  

Slugging corner IF who is probably only a fit for the Giants if Bryce Eldridge is traded for cost-controlled pitching.  Namesake of the first Japanese MLB player who played for the Giants.

Cody Bellinger OF.  DOB:  7/13/1995.  B-L, T-L.  6' 3", 204 lbs.  .272/.334/.480, 29 HR, 13 SB, 8.7 BB%, 13.7 K%, 656 PA.  MLBTR projected contract:  5 yr/140 M.  

If MLBTR's projection is close to accurate, and they have an excellent track record of accurate projections, Bellinger is way more affordable than Kyle Tucker and you could make a case he is a better all-around player.  Athleticism and versatility make him an obvious great fit for the Giants OF.  Buster should be kicking tires on this one.

Kyle Schwarber DH.  DOB:  3/5/1993.  B-L, T-R.  5' 11", 229 lbs.  .240/.365/.563, 56 HR, 10 SB, 14.9 BB%, 27.2 K%, 724 PA.  MLBTR projected contract:  5 yr/$135 M.  

Power, power and more power!  Positional limitations make him a fit only if Bryce Eldridge is traded.  But man!  Could the Giants ever use a power bat like that in the lineup?  Eldridge should be so lucky as to ever hit like that!

Pete Alonso 1B/DH.  DOB:  12/7/1994.  B-R, T-R.  6' 3", 245 lbs.  .272/.347/.524, 38 HR, 8.6 BB%, 22.8 K%, 709 PA.  MLBTR projected contract:  4 YR/$110 M.  

Again, probably only a fit if Eldridge is traded, but would make a nice R-L 1B/DH combo with Devers and with power numbers Eldridge can only dream on.

Josh Naylor 1B/DH.  DOB:  6/22/1997.  B-L, T-L.  5'10", 235 lbs.  .292/.360/.447, 20 HR, 5.2 BB%, 16.2 K%, 604 PA.  MLBTR projected contract:  5 yr/$90 M.

More of a contact hitter with power than a pure power hitter, but Buster likes contact.  Affordable contract projection.  Same situation with Bryce Eldridge.  Hey! I am starting to like the idea of trading Eldridge for pitching!  

Trent Grisham CF.  DOB:  11/1/1996.  B-L, T-L.  5', 10", 221 lbs.  .235/.348/.464, 34 HR, 14.1 BB%, 23.6 K%, 581 PA.  MLBTR projected contract:  4 yr/$66 M.  

Coming off a career year with the Yankees so we are buying high here.  Did the short porch goose his power?  If Buster is really looking to upgrade OF D, he is an elite defender in CF if the Giants are willing to move Jung Hoo Lee out of the position.

Kazuma Okamoto 3B/1B.  DOB:  6/30/1996.  B-R, T- R.  6' 0", 212 lbs.  JPL: .322/.411/.581, 15 HR, 33 BB, 33 K, 314 PA.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  4 yr/$66 M.

Kind of a poor man's version of Murakami.  Older, B-R, Not as much power.  Probably not a fit for the Giants.

Jorge Polanco 2B/3B, DH.  DOB:  7/5/1993.  B-S, T-R.  6' 0", 208 lbs.  .265/.326/.495, 26 HR, 6 SB, 8.0 BB%, 15.6 K%, 524 PA.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  3 yr/$42 M.  

More of a DH than position player by now but a B-S DH with some power who doesn't K a lot would be an asset.....again, assuming Eldridge isn't ready or trade bait for a pitcher.

Ha Seong Kim SS/2B.  DOB:  10/17/1995.  B-R, T-R.  5' 10", 200 lbs.  .234/.304/.345, 5 HR, 6 SB, 8.2 BB%, 16.3 K%, 191 PA.  MLBTR projected contract:  2 yr/$30 M.

Missed 2/3 of season recovering from shoulder surgery then got traded at the deadline.  Would playing on the same team as his buddy, Jung Hoo Lee, help both players?  Is he enough of an upgrade over Schmitt or Koss to warrant the contract?

Harrison Bader OF.  DOB:  6/3/1994.  B-R, T-R.  5' 11", 210 lbs.  .277/.347/.449, 17 HR, 11 SB, 7.8 BB%, 27.1 K%.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  2 yr/$26 M.  

Solves the CF defense problem but not the strikeout problem.  Signing team will buy high on his best season since 2021.

Luis Arraez 1B/DH.  DOB:  4/9/1997.  B-L, T-R.  5' 10", 175 lbs.  .292/.327/.392, 8 HR, 11 SB, 5.0 BB%, 3.1 K%, 675 PA.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  2 yr/$24 M.  

Throwback to when BA was king.  Rarely walks, never strikes out.  If Buster is serious about reducing K's, Arraez is a perfect fit.  Probably limited to DH on the Giants.

Gleyber Torres 2B.  DOB:  12/13/1996.  B-R, T-R.  5' 11", 205 lbs.  .256/.358/.387, 16 HR, 13.5 BB%, 16.1 K%, 628 PA.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  1 yr/$22.5 M.  

Probably looking for another 1 yr contract to try to recapture the 38 HR's in 2019 which are rapidly fading in his rearview mirror.  Once one of the most hyped prospects ever in the Yankees system, has settled into a good, not great, 2B.  Oracle Park is notoriously not a destination for hitters looking for one big season.

Willi Castro UT.  DOB:  4/24/1997.  B-S, T-R.  6' 0", 206 lbs.  .226/.313/.366, 10 HR, 9 SB, 8.8 BB%, 24.4 K%, 454 PA.  MLBTR Projected Contract:  2 yr/$14 M.  

Numbers cratered after a deadline trade to the Cubs.  Versatility is his calling card.

Bargain Bins:

Paul Goldschmidt

Josh Bell

Rhys Hoskins

Austin Hays

Max Kepler

Starling Marte

Yoan Moncada

Cedric Mullins

Marcell Ozuna

Miguel Rojas

Mike Yastrzemski

Dominic Smith

Comment:  You have to squint really hard to see any of these players being a fit for the Giants.  A lot of the scenarios would block Bryce Eldridge.  Trading him might be a good baseball decision but would be a bitter disappointment to large segment of the fanbase.  I'm thinking Cody Bellinger makes the most sense but Giants seem set on prioritizing pitching.  Hard to see anyone else improving D while not sacrificing hitting.