To rebuild or not to rebuild? That is the question at the forefront of the Giants’ front office this offseason.
Coming off their disastrous 64-98 season–their worst since losing 100 games in 1985–the Giants know they need to be active this winter. It began with rearranging the coaching staff and now it’s time to decide what to do with their roster.
On one hand, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who appeared on KNBR tonight yesterday, the Giants lead the race for slugging outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and could stave off rebuilding with his acquisition.
Since San Francisco doesn’t have the minor league depth to give up prospects for Stanton, his immense contract bods well for the Giants and they could come to terms with the Marlins, who are trying to cut their payroll heading into next season.
Yet, money is a major factor in how the Giants approach their future.
If the Giants agree to take on Stanton’s contract, where does that leave Madison Bumgarner when the time comes to talk about an extension?
“No I can’t see getting rid of Bumgarner, I really can’t. The franchise makes too much money, so you don’t have to do that,” Nightengale said when asked if the Giants would eventually have to choose between Stanton and Bumgarner. “The only reason you get rid of Bumgarner is if you say, ‘we’re going to rebuild here. Here are out top guys,’ and of course he’d be that top guy.”
The only scenario Nightengale sees the Giants parting ways with their keystone players – Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford and Bumgarner – is the other hand, a complete rebuild. A rebuild such as the one the Chicago White Sox are in the middle of after parting ways with their long-time ace Chris Sale this past offseason.
“You’re going to get the most for Bumgarner, second most for Posey, but if you’re going to shut it down, you’re going to have to shut it down completely,” Nightengale said. “Like the Chicago White Sox are doing, like what the Houston Astros did, like what the Cubs did. It works, but it’s a painful process. Philadelphia is going through the same thing, we’ll see if it works for them, but now it’s unknown.”
To listen to the full interview check out the podcast below, and skip to 8:28 for Nightengale on the Giants.