An impatient and anxious Giants fanbase let out a collective sigh of relief last night as word quickly spread that Giants ownership finally made good on their postseason promise to sign either Aaron Judge or one of the elite shortstops on the free agent market. Technically they didn't promise that but they certainly raised the expectation with their fans. These are signings GM's and owners should not take lightly. They can make or break a franchise. You don't sign just any player to such a contract and you don't do in in reaction to one bad season or to win in any one year. It is a longterm investment in a player who you build a long term team structure around, who will be the "Face of the Franchise" if you will. There are usually not more than one or two such players available in any single year, some years none are available. Bryce Harper was such a player. The Giants seriously tried to sign him. Aaron Judge is such a player. They seriously tried to sign him. Carlos Correa is such a player. They signed him! While you could make a case that Trea Turner is a better player than Correa right now, I believe Correa was the premium player at the premium position available, both in last year's market and this years. He is younger than Turner and I think his size will allow him to more successfully transition to a less premium position when the inevitable time comes for that. In short, it was a smart signing by the Giants and one that will define the franchise for at least the next 10 years.
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Correa's signing creates an awkward situation for Brandon Crawford who is by far the best shortstop in the modern history of the franchise and someone who deserves deference and respect from the organization. The problem for the Giants after Judge spurned their offer was that next year's free agent market in general and at SS in particular is nowhere near comparable. They had to make their big move this year or wait for some future year that might not come. Fortunately, it sounds like this was all worked out with him ahead of time and the plan is for Crawford to move to 3B for what will likely be his last season as a Giant and possibly as a MLB player. While there is no doubt Crawford can handle 3B defensively and will probably be a defensive upgrade, his bat was a liability at SS last year and will likely be more so at 3B, so it's not a perfect solution by any stretch. This likely means J. D. Davis starts at 1B, David Villar starts the season with an option to AAA Sacramento with Crawford and Wilmer Flores in a L-R platoon at 3B. Doest that mean they keep Casey Schmitt in AA for more seasoning or would they consider using the option to move Villar to the OF? Whatever they have to do, I want to see Villar's bat get a fair chance for the Giants at the MLB level.
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While there is still talk of pursuing Carlos Rodon and another OF, I think the heavy lifting of the offseason is done and Farhan will sit back and let the market come to him for any additional moves. I do not see any available dramatic upgrades to the OF. The starting rotation seems set and with more than adequate depth. The one area where FZ should try to upgrade is the bullpen, but again, I think he can let the market come to him there too.
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On a personal note, this news triggered an existential crisis last night when folks started posting how old they will at the end of Correa's 13 year contract. Me? I will be 79 years old, God willing. OMG! I had to face the real possibility that I may not even be around to see the end of the contract! The corollary is why would I be fret about what what the contract looks like by then? It's not my money and I might not be here to worry about it being a drag on the roster.
Has there been any indication about whether the front office is considering bringing back Belt? Don't recall if there had been dialogue between the team and Belt on how or if he is in the team's future plans. Know that the Giants have a reputation for doing things right by their players, especially homegrown players who are endearing to the fanbase.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the Giants would consider bringing Belt back for the right price but Belt has said he will only accept a guaranteed contract and won't "play for free." Not sure there is a fit there under the circumstances.
DeleteI am a Belt fan but IMO, the Giants have already done more than right by him and don't owe him anything at this point.
DeleteI will say I think the Giants are still short a lefthanded bat and Belt just might be the best available IF he is healthy. Coming out of surgery and saying your knee feels better than it has in years is one thing, playing a MLB game on it is quite another.
DeleteI believe they will keep him in their radar. I can see Belt being reluctant about riding the AAA shuttle, but he can also be flexible in how much he wants. He will make a difference if he is healthy
DeleteI am happy with the Carlos Correa signing which opens further optimism for the future (wouldn't it be great if it leads to other signings next year?). I am a year younger than you Doc, and this gives me hope for some interesting baseball I can get behind as a Giant fan. I should not have to pay to see a Kevin Padlo at 3rd base. I can get behind a lineup that has Correa, Joc, Haniger, Villar, JD, Slater/Yaz, Joey Bart, Thairo in it. The pitching also holds interest for me. Kind of a LIMA strategy. 60 days until catchers and pitchers report.
ReplyDeleteYou never know when Kevin Padlo might turn into the next YtY or LMJ but I feel your pain. The Donovan Walton era was difficult to watch.
DeleteReply to - I will be 79 years old, God willing. OMG! I had to face the real possibility that I may not even be around to see the end of the contract!
ReplyDeleteYou will still be here DrB still writing and entertaining us Giants fans with your awesome comments!!! Always enjoy what you write even if this is only my second time commenting
Thank you for the kind words.
DeleteIt's my humble opinion that Geriatricians live longer, and we need to keep going to San Jose Giants games for the next 13 years... On another note, I have a feeling that future free agent contracts will follow the economic inflationary trend and the only way to remain competitive is to spend once in awhile. Our season became much more fun because of these free agent signings, as others are saying. We still have enough money to fill out the bullpen a little, rather than just spend $1 on the rest of the roster. I guess Belt won't be accepting a Split Minor/Major league contract arrangement?
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about these mega contracts. I think the ideal scenario is to keep 2-3 on the books at all times but stagger them at 3-4 year intervals so there is always one expiring every 3-4 years.
DeleteMy understanding is the Giants still have $30 mil to spend before they hit the 1st tax line of $230 mil, which makes me wonder that they could still fill more holes such as 1-a 2nd closer in the bullpen to lessen Dovals workload, smart idea. How about Taylor Rogers as a great fit. 2-a good defensive center fielder probably via trade or another outfielder who can hit. Michael Comforto is interesting as a hitter. 3-another catcher to split time with Bart. They talked to Curt Casilli. improving up the middle at center field and catcher would be huge.. another question is will they move Marco Luciano to play outfield since Correa plays shortstop for the next decade.
ReplyDeleteI am thinking FZ wants to leave some room for a midseason addition or two. Taylor Rogers seems like a great fit. I read his asking price is still sky high. There are several options still out there so FZ can afford to let the market come to him. Ditto Conforto. 2021 was not such a great season for him. I am OK with seeing if LMJ can bounce back or if Blake Sabol can step up and go get an OF by trade only if those two aren't cutting it. I think there was always better than a 50-50 chance Luciano would move off SS anyway.
DeleteDoes Taylor Rogers @ $10M and his brother on the same team projected @ $1.8M seem out-of-balance, especially considering Tyler arguably had a better 2022 though Taylor's problems were very flukey?
DeleteProbably would be OK with our Rogers, having his brother, ya'think? Or is that just not something to consider?
I think the Rogers bros would love to play together and would be a great fit. I think they understand that if Tyler keeps pitching like he has, he will make a nice stash from playing MLB by the time his career is finished.
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