Baseball free agency is about to heat up, and it sounds like the Giants are finalizing their wish list. It could include two Los Angeles Dodgers.
MLB insider Jon Morosi is reporting San Francisco is “open minded” about adding Dodgers third basemen Justin Turner. Fellow insider Ken Rosenthal is reporting Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen would also be a fit in the Bay Area.
The Giants are in need of relief pitching more than anything else. Executive Brian Sabean admitted he was really embarrassed by the blown saves in September. Of course the season ended in stunning fashion when the Cubs scored four runs in the ninth inning in Game 4 of the NLDS at AT&T Park. Chicago went on to win the World Series.
But the lineup could use a jolt at third base. It’s unrealistic to think Conor Gillaspie will continue his postseason tear into 2017. Eduardo Nunez doesn’t feel like an every day option, either. Last season the Giants posted a cumulative .320 on base percentage at the third base position, ranking 22nd in baseball.
Turner clobbered a career-high 27 home runs and 90 RBI last season. He batted .275 and posted an on base percentage of .339. The 31-year-old is a career .282 hitter.
Jansen was also superb a year ago, converting 47 of his 53 save opportunities. The 29-year-old strung together a 1.83 ERA. The Giants have been reported to have interest in Nationals’s closer Mark Melancon.
In the case of these two players, poaching from the Dodgers seems like a good idea. Los Angeles would hate to see either their third basemen or their closer to head to San Francisco.
But knowing Sabean and Bobby Evans, the Giants will cast a much wider net. Still, the thought of hurting the Dodgers while simultaneously getting better on the field is worth the consideration.