Posted on November 17, 2017, by Bryan Zarpentine
Image via nytimes.com
After a rare down season in 2017, the San Francisco Giants are determined to turn things around in 2018. Based on everything coming out of San Francisco early in the offseason, there will be no rebuilding for the Giants. The club appears poised to make the biggest splash they can during the hot stove season, and their top priority is going to be adding a power hitter that can help transform their lineup.
Undoubtedly, the top two hitters that could be available this winter are J.D. Martinez and Giancarlo Stanton. Martinez is the premier hitter on the free agent market, while Stanton is likely to be traded by the Marlins at some point this winter. The Giants appear to be open minded to any move that can help them become better in 2018. But it’s also become clear that they would like to add a power hitter like Martinez or Stanton.
“The doors aren’t closing on options. We want to explore every scenario that works for us or comes our way in a deal,” Giants GM Bobby Evans said earlier this week.
Sign up for a FREE Consultation to start working with Legendary Sports Bettor Jon Price
On the Stanton trade front, several teams have already been linked to the Marlins in preliminary trade talks. With several potential suitors, the price to acquire him could be substantial, assuming the Marlins end up trading him. However, the most recent reports relating to Stanton describe the Giants as “the most aggressive team” in talks with the Marlins.
It’s also been reported that the Giants discussed Martinez with his agent Scott Boras this past week at the GM meetings. The price to sign Martinez figures to be substantial, with Boras throwing out a 7-year, $210 million contract as a rough estimate for what it’ll cost. Of course, taking on all of Stanton’s contract would be even more expensive than that. From San Francisco’s perspective, signing Martinez may actually be a cheaper option than trading for Stanton.
Either way, if the Giants are seriously considering both players, it means they’re ready to spend money. There are also rumblings that San Francisco is looking to add more than one big bat this winter. If the Giants can somehow land either Stanton or Martinez, it could be just the beginning of a busy offseason. San Francisco has already been linked to Jackie Bradley Jr., who could become available if the Red Sox end up trading for Stanton. Other center fielders like Billy Hamilton and Lorenzo Cain have also been linked to the Giants.
While Stanton, Martinez, or even Bradley would help change the shape of San Francisco’s outfield, the Giants could also look to add to their infield. First baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas are also among the top hitters available in free agency. Both are Boras clients who could have been mentioned while the Giants were discussing Martinez.
If the Giants are willing to spend money or get creative in trade talks, there’s no shortage of things they could pull off this winter. Nothing appears imminent with regard to Stanton being traded or any of the top free agents signing with a club. But the Giants appear to be gearing up for a busy winter and figure to be in the middle of any conversation involving a prominent power hitter.