3 moves for the San Francisco Giants this offseason
The San Francisco Giants were one of the biggest surprises in baseball in 2021. Expected by most experts to finish a solid third in the NL West, they shocked everyone to win a major league best 107 games and find their way back to the postseason.
Even though the season ended in disappointment, it was still an impressive showing. But now the Giants have plenty of questions and holes on their roster. Virtually the entire starting rotation is gone. Buster Posey, the heart of their franchise, has retired. Despite being in the postseason, the Giants’ roster needs to be completely rebuilt.
Three moves for the San Francisco Giants this offseason
The future can still be bright. The Giants have plenty of money to spend this offseason and should be players for several top free agents. They have an emerging star in the rotation in Logan Webb which makes fixing the rotation a bit easier, and have had solid contributions from several unheralded players. It may be difficult, but the Giants may not be going anywhere.
The San Francisco Giants are looking to prove that 2021 was not a fluke. Here are three moves they can make to return to the postseason.
Bring in a veteran catcher
Joey Bart has been considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball for years. It is time for the San Francisco Giants’ youngster to show why at the major league level.
Bart had a chance to cement his place going forward in 2020. Posey had decided to sit out the season due to COVID, opening the door for Bart to make an impression. Instead, he fell flat on his face, showing minimal power while striking out at a 36.9% rate.
His defense has not done him any favors either. He was considered to be an excellent defensive prospect in the minors, but has saved just one run while throwing out only 18% of would-be base stealers. Bart has a strong arm and plenty of power when he connects, but he is starting to look a lot more like Mike Zunino than a future star.
This puts the Giants in a difficult spot. They have to give Bart a chance to prove himself at the major league level and show that he can be the player they envisioned. But they also cannot trust the position to him immediately. Bringing in a veteran catcher, such as a Yan Gomes, who Bart can learn from in 2022 could make a major difference for the future of the team.
Joey Bart likely has the first chance to be the San Francisco Giants’ new starting catcher. They should still bring in a veteran backup just to be safe.
Re-sign Kevin Gausman
The San Francisco Giants had a great deal of success with reclamation projects in their rotation. Kevin Gausman was the start of that process.
That process started in 2020, when Gausman put together a strong enough season where he was given the Qualifying Offer. He accepted it, betting on himself to improve in 2021, showing that his performance the previous year was not a fluke. If he could back up that showing, Gausman could position himself for an impressive payday the following year.
He certainly did his part. Gausman posted a 2.81 ERA and a 1.042 WHiP in his 192 innings, striking out 227 batters with 50 walks. He was the ace that the Giants needed, finally showing the potential that had made him such a highly regarded prospect.
Gausman timed his career year perfectly. He is certain to pick up a sizeable contract in free agency, especially as he does not have the QO attached this year. However, the Giants have a great deal of payroll to bring him back. That may be their biggest priority of the offseason.
Kevin Gausman was a major part of the San Francisco Giants’ success last season. They have to bring their staff ace back for the future.
Keep Kris Bryant
The San Francisco Giants needed a big bat in the middle of their lineup. Kris Bryant gave them the piece they needed.
Although he was not the same player he had been during his time with the Cubs, Bryant was still a solid piece in the middle of the lineup. He produced a 113 OPS+ with seven homers and 13 doubles in his 212 plate appearances, stealing six bases. Bryant also appeared at all three outfield positions and third during his time in San Francisco, proving to be a versatile piece of the lineup.
Given the holes in the Giants lineup, Bryant would be a perfect fit. He can slot in wherever needed in the outfield while filling in at third when Evan Longoria needs a day off. He would be that presence in the middle of the lineup that they not only needed last season, but will need going forward as well.
Bryant would also serve as protection from regression. The Giants received surprisingly strong seasons from Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt, both of whom may be hard pressed to replicate that success going forward. If Bryant can return to the form he showed in Chicago, he would be the perfect buffer in case those seasons turn out to be a fluke.
Next. Belt a rarity in the offseason. dark
The San Francisco Giants need a big bat in the middle of their lineup. Kris Bryant can fill that void once again.