The San Francisco Giants are stuck in a tough position. The Giants are in the middle of the NL West, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres have improved themselves enough to make the rest of the division seem irrelevant.
These points haven’t stopped the Giants from trying to build a contender for 2021. The team made a few notable moves in the MLB free agency market to help them compete for the future.
The Giants don’t have much of a shot for a playoff position this season, but they are doing everything they can to be competitive in the future.
Next stop: #SFGSpring ⚾️🌵 pic.twitter.com/n3p40lrLd8
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) February 9, 2021
Pitching Moves
The team acquired two new pitches on the MLB free agency market. Anthony DeSclafani joins the team after playing for the Cincinnati Reds last season. He had a 7.22 ERA and threw 25 strikeouts last season. He aims to recover well for the coming season and could be a surprise this year.
The team also signed Alex Wood from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wood spent much of last season in the bullpen, and he’s hoping to get back to being a starting this season.
The team also resigned starter Kevin Gausman to a one-year deal. But the club also allowed Drew Smyly to head out to the Atlanta Braves and chose not to resign Trevor Cahill and Tyler Anderson. The team’s moves suggest they are hoping to refresh the starting rotation. Johnny Cueto and Logan Webb will also be in the rotation.
There is one question about the pitching staff, as the team doesn’t have a defined closer. Matt Wisler joins the team from the Minnesota Twins, and he will contend with Tyler Rogers and Reyes Moronta for the closing spot.
The Giants also signed reliever Josh Brebbia from the St. Louis Cardinals. Brebbia underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so he will be more of a long-term project.
His contract with the Giants does have a few options for possible renewals, so he might be a part of the team when he eventually recovers. He may start for the AAA Sacramento River Cats when he is ready to pitch.
Other Offensive Points
The offense got a boost this offseason when Tommy La Stella joined the club on a three-year contract. The third baseman will add contact hitting to an infield that already features Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford.
The team also has Curt Casali as a new catcher to back up Buster Posey at that position. Casali joins the team from Cincinnati. But with Posey getting older, Casali may be more of a stop-gap player before top catching prospects Joey Bart and Chadwick Tromp make it on the major league roster.
Daniel Robertson left for the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason, so bringing in La Stella will help the club. Third baseman Jason Vosler may be promoted to the Giants to help make up for this offseason loss.
What Should You Watch?
The most essential thing to see surrounding the Giants and their MLB free agency efforts involves how the pitching staff will operate.
The Giants have hopes that their pitching staff will be more productive this coming season. It will be tough for the Giants to contend with the Dodgers and Padres on that front, but the club has hopes to at least get a .500 or greater record this season.
The San Francisco Giants will contend soon, but the 2021 season is about developing a good program. The team’s free agent moves will help them stay competitive, but it is the club’s improving farm system that will be worth watching.
The MLB season is almost upon us! If you are like us, then you are counting down the days until the season opener. But until then, make sure you check out our MLB hub page, for all the latest on what’s going on in baseball.
Image by: pixy.org
