The Giants hot stove heated up as the day started with a rumored free agent signing and ended with an actual signing of a different player and word of a near signing of yet a different player. The move and rumored moves would go a long way toward solidifying a near-empty starting rotation and bring back two key pitchers from the 2021 campaign. Here's the breakdown:
Signed: Anthony DeSclafani RHP. 3 years/$36 M. DOB: 4/18/1990. 6'2", 195 lbs. 13-7, 3.17, 167.2 IP, 8.16 K/9, 2.25 BB/9. DeSclafani needs no introduction to Giants fans as he was a workhorse starter last year. He was good enough to generate speculation the Giants would offer him a QO which they did not. This deal probably works better for both parties as the Giants get a much lower AAV and DeSclafani gets 3 years of security and about twice total payout than accepting a QO. The Giants now hope he can stay healthy and settle into a #3/4 starter role and a pitcher who will roll out there every 5'th game and give them a chance to win.
Near-signed: Alex Wood LHP. 2 year/$20 M(rumored). DOB: 1/12/1991. 6'4", 215 lbs. 10-4, 3.83, 138/2 IP, 9.87 K/9. 2.53 BB/9. Reports on multiple baseball news sites have Wood close to signing a new 2-year contract with the Giants for an AAV of $10 M. When Wood is healthy, he is a very good pitcher, but he has not always been healthy. On the other hand, none of his historical injuries seem particularly career threatening or likely to recur. The Giants would be thrilled if he turned in 2 more season just like 2021. Lets keep our fingers crossed on this one because this would be great for us fans.
Rumor: Alex Cobb RHP. DOB: 10/7/1987. 6'3", 205 lbs. 8-3, 3.76, 93.1 IP, 9.45 K/9, 3.18 BB/9(Angels). It's pretty clear that FZ considers injury history suppresses market value more than it should making pitchers with historical injures an undervalued commodity. Cobb's history is very similar to Alex Wood's in that both pitchers have missed considerable time to the IL but are very good when healthy. Rumors have the Giants pushing for a Cobb signing. If it comes to pass along with a Wood signing, it would fill 3 of the 4 empty rotation slots with 3 very similar SP's who when healthy are all solid #3 starters and could be #2's at their best. No numbers in the rumors but MLBTR's projected price for Cobb is 2 yr/$16 M.
Analysis: If all three of these signings come to pass, it would leave FZ with enormous flexibility for the remainder of the postseaon. Having immediately rectified the single biggest challenge of the Hot Stove League, lack of SP depth, he can now concentrate on landing a middle-of-the-order hitter and/or ace level SP with plenty of spending room to do both.
With DeSlafani signed, if Wood signs as looks likely, perhaps there isn't a strong Posey factor.
ReplyDeleteEspecially if Kevin Gausman signs, too.
Gausman had stated after his 2020 acquisition that BP had a lot to do with his decision, then Buster chose his family.
As a thinking man with enough bangs on the head, he knows what can happen if you whack your brain too often and made the right choice for himself. He's smart and wants to stay that way!
If he went to the Muncy Academy and became a 30+ HR hitter, he could be a legitimate 1Bman. Probably hit into fewer DPs, too. BB9 notwithstanding, you take less shots to the head at 1B.
I think Zaidi is shooting for 7 SP's, with a couple guys (Wood) who can mix in some long relief. Coupled with last years SP draft, we will have fresh options come playoffs. Nobody ever does, except hopefully the 2022 Giants...
ReplyDeleteBased on the profile of the pitchers the Giants have signed and the ones they are reported to be pursuing, including Steven Matz, it sure seems that signing Marcus Semien would make a tone of sense. The Giants figure to have a staff full of guys who induce ground balls, and an infield of Belt, Semien, Crawford and Longo would provide the pitchers with plenty of incentive to get ground balls. Add Semien's offense to the Giants lineup and you get another plus.
ReplyDeleteSign Marcus Semien.
Fangraphs says Wood is a done deal.
ReplyDeletehttps://blogs.fangraphs.com/in-one-day-giants-bring-back-two-key-starting-pitchers/
Matz signed with St Louis, and Cohen launched stink bombs at his agent. Cohen should be used to guys wanting to go somewhere else: How many choices for GM turned him down?
Many don't like Charles Johnson but would you rather have Steve Cohen?
Also, along with Desclafani being re-signed, Dickerson was released.
ReplyDelete