Amidst recent reports that the Giants are interested in pursuing a deal for their former beloved third baseman, Pablo Sandoval, it became apparent the Giants are prioritizing solidifying the hot corner for the 2017 season.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the current available free-agent options at third base for the Giants heading into 2017:
Justin Turner – Last with Dodgers
Giants fans are well aware that the league’s best offering for a free-agent third baseman played his last few seasons in rival Dodgers’ blue. Still, reasonable fans will quickly forget Turner’s stint in LA if he were to sign a similar deal in SF. Turner signed two 1-year deals in Los Angeles in 2015 and 2016, with base salaries of $2.5 million and $5.1 million respectively. It seems safe to assume that Turner will command another pay increase going into 2017 as his power numbers spiked even higher last season than they did when he made a massive jump in power productivity form 2014-15.
2016: 151 GP, .275/.339/.493, 27 HR, 90 RBI
Estimated Market Value: 3 years/$30 million
Luis Valbuena – Last with Astros
The soon-to-be 31-year old was having his best offensive season in the majors at age 30 last season, before pulling his hamstring and undergoing consequential season-ending surgery. Despite consistent dry spells at the plate, Valbuena’s quick glove and versatility (he routinely plays either second, third or first base) have kept him valuable to clubs such as the Cubs and Astros in the past. Through 90 games last season, Valbuena’s .260/.357/.459 line was by far the best of his career until his injury in late June. A set back during his rehab assignment effectively ended his season two months early, perfectly illustrating the Astros’ disappointing 2016 season.
Still, Valbuena’s versatility and major improvements at the plate make him an interesting prospective free agent for Bruce Bochy’s Giants. While his high strikeout rate is off-putting (81 strikeouts in 90 games last season), he’s a gap-hitter with speed and someone who can get on the base paths for a power-hungry Giants lineup.
2016: 90 GP, .260/.357/.459, 13 HR, 40 RBI
Estimated Market Value: 3 years/$21 million
Trevor Plouffe – Last with Twins
In a surprising move, the Twins cut their long time third baseman and former first round pick last week, most likely to avoid having to pay the 30-year old $8-$10 million next season in his final year of arbitration. While an average hitter overall, and a below-average fielder, Ploufee would provide the Giants with much needed right-handed power (22 homers in 2015) and can also play multiple infield positions. Plouffe was limited to just 84 games last season, making three separate trips to the disabled list. Due to a thin free agent class at third base heading in to 2017, expect Plouffe to draw significant interest from a number of clubs including the Giants.
2016: 84 GP, .260/.303/.420, 12 HR, 47 RBI
Estimated contract: 2 years/$12 million
Aaron Hill – Last with Red Sox
While Hill had a bit of a bounce back after consecutive down seasons in Arizona, at age 34, his days as a solid, everyday third baseman seem to be nearing an end. Once one of the best at his position, Hill’s strength at this point is his versatility, and he’s probably best suited as a utility infielder who could fill in at both shortstop and second base for long stretches. After making around $11.5 million per year over the last three seasons, Hill’s market value has taken a hit, and he now becomes a cheap, low risk option to give the Giants some infield insurance.
2016: 125 GP, .262/.336/.378, 10 HR, 38 RBI
Estimated Market Value: 1 year/$3 million
Mark Reynolds – Last with Rockies
We should probably just come out and tell you now that Mark Reynolds strikes out way too much for Bruce Bochy and the slap-hitting Giants so he doesn’t make complete sense at third base. He’s a corner infielder who played mostly first base for the Colorado Rockies last season, since their best player was starting third baseman Nolan Arenado. If it came down to Reynolds as their last free-agent hope, Bochy and the Giants would most likely resort to a platoon of Eduardo Nunez and Conor Gillaspie before spending serious money on Reynolds. Hitting .282 is nice, even if it’s in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, but striking out 112 times doesn’t quite make up for it.
2016: 118 GP, .282/.356/.450, 14 HR, 53 RBI
Estimated Market Value: 1 year/$4 million