With Monday’s deal for top-tier closer Mark Melancon putting the Giants over the $195 million luxury tax for next season, it seems unlikely that another big splash is on the horizon this offseason.
As general manager Bobby Evans has stated, the Giants would only be interested in adding a hitter on a one-year contract, part of the reason J.D. Martinez of the Tigers has had his name thrown around as a potential trade target throughout the offseason.
McCovey Chronicle’s lead writer Grant Brisbee could see the Giants going in another direction, however, telling Ray Woodson on Sportsphone680 that San Francisco might take a look at Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier.
“I could see that one,” Brisbee said when asked about Frazier. “It would take them feeling comfortable with Eduardo Nunez as a part time left fielder, in a super utility role, sort of like a poor man’s Ben Zobrist. But he would fit the paradigm. He’s a guy on a one-year deal, so he’s not gonna mess with their salary next year. He would just sort of be this one time hit this year. The know they’re going over the luxury tax this year anyway. So I could see that.”
Frazier is owed $7.5 million by the White Sox next year, who are currently involved in a fire sale of their top players in exchange for prospects. Frazier, 30, is a power-hitting right-handed bat the Giants could sorely use, finishing fifth in the AL with 40 home runs last season. Frazier was an All-Star in 2014 and 2015 with the Cincinnati Reds.
Listen to the full interview below.