With the San Francisco Giants already $5 million over the $195 tax limit for the 2016 season, it’s highly unlikley they’ll be making any more big signings this offseason. With the starting lineup and rotation essentially set, any additional moves will likely be to add depth.
While general manager Bobby Evans mentioned that the Giants will be looking for a handful of non-roster invitees to compete for spots in the bullpen, Jon Heyman of MLB Network illuminated another area where the Giants are looking to make additions.
#SFGiants feel ok at 3B but will look at utility types, including corner guys. plenty in that market.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 14, 2016
Though rumors swirled throughout the offseason that the Giants were targeting a handful of big-name third baseman, San Francisco’s currently financial situation would all but guarantee the Eduardo Nunez will begin 2017 as the club’s everyday starter. Brandon Belt is also a lock at the other corner infield position, and there haven’t been any rumblings that his job was ever in doubt.
What’s interesting is that the Giants already seem to have a utility corner infielder on their roster in Conor Gillaspie, who made a name for himself with his timely hitting during the Giants most recent postseason run.
Who exactly San Francisco would be looking to add is anybody’s guess, but it will likely be somebody on a one-year deal via trade or free agency. Two names that have been bounced around are the White Sox’ Todd Frazier and the Yankees’ Chase Headley who are both reportedly being shopped by their clubs. The problem? Headley is due $26 million over the next two seasons and Frazier is due $7.5 million next season.
Any possibility that the Giants would look to make a deal for either depends on how much salary the Yankees or Sox would be willing to eat.
Either way this report seems call into question the confidence San Francisco has in Gillaspie as a consistent replacement, and it will be interesting to see what type of player the Giants look to add considering the financial constraints.