San Francisco Giants: Latest Rumor Roundup

Recent reports have the San Francisco Giants interested in a number of top free agents and even players on the trading block. While it is still unknown what direction GM Bobby Evans will take, the Giants are predicted to be one of the biggest spenders in the upcoming weeks.

With rumors, reports, analysis, speculation, among other things circling around the City by the Bay and beyond, it is time to take a deep breath and try and corral this madness in the attempt to understand it all. Again, the Giants front-office is not going to spill the beans of exactly who they plan to offer a contract, but by gathering all of the reports it may be possible to find out what there plans may consist of.

Before starting the rumor roundup, lets see where the Giants sit as far as pay roll goes and how much money they have to spend after an exciting past week.

Due to signing 2015 Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford to a 6 year/$75 million extension on Tuesday, the Giants will take a $5.8 million hit to their expected $50 million spending money. This leaves San Francisco with around $40-45 million to spend at the free agent store.

It was also reported by Andrew Baggarly of San Jose Mercury News that San Francisco has agreed to a minor-league contract with outfielder and first baseman Kyle Blanks.

While this won’t put much, if any, of a dent to that $40-$45 million, it is another roster spot (not guaranteed, but expected) and another projected $1 million hit.

In the press conference following the Crawford extension on Wednesday, GM Bobby Evans and first baseman Brandon Belt are open to discussing a long-term contract. Per the report from Baggarly:

“I think Brandon is open to that,” Evans said. “We have to see how it works out . . .The concussion is not a concern. We’ve gotten very good medical info that doesn’t give us concerns about Brandon’s health.”

Call to the Pen

While nothing is imminent, it is obvious that Evans wants to keep his core players long-term and Belt is no exception. Because it is still unknown whether Belt and San Francisco will agree to anything soon, we will assume that Belt will not affect the Giants spending money just yet.

Now that we have all of the annual awards, extending of contracts, and all of the miscellany out of the way, it is time for San Francisco to put all of their attention to free agency. San Francisco is very thin at too many positions and this off-season could mean the difference between making the playoffs and battling for their fourth championship in seven years or hoping to make the playoffs in an odd-year (2017) for the first time in over 14 years.

Here is a summary of all of the latest buzz surrounding the Giants:

Pitching Rumor Roundup

Detroit Tigers insider and beat writer Anthony Fenech tweeted early Wednesday morning that San Francisco is a dark horse and one of three front-runners for All Star closer Joakim Soria.

Reports from Buster Olney of ESPN say that both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have “checked in” on Atlanta Braves All Star starting pitcher Shelby Miller. With the Braves undergoing a fire sale, they have said they would like to keep Miller, but nothing is imminent.

Also per Buster Olney, earlier last weekend San Francisco is reported to be doing  “background preparation” on former Cy Young winner David Price. San Francisco was in the running for Price earlier this year during the MLB Trade Deadline, but lost the bidding war to the Toronto Blue Jays. Nevertheless, their interest in Price has been ongoing.

Sirius XM and Miami Marlins radio host Craig Mish is speculating that the Marlins may be shopping 2013 Rookie of the Year pitcher Jose Fernandez. With the always ambiguous and curious moves Miami seems to make every year, this rumor may not be so unrealistic after all.

Hitting Rumor Roundup

In their annual Hot Stove Report, KNBR Radio had this to say about the possibility of perennial Gold Glove outfielder Alex Gordon signing with San Francisco:

“Gordon fits the mold of the Giants under Bruce Bochy — he does everything well and his left-handed bat would play better at AT&T Park than cavernous Kansas City. His elite defense would improve the Giants’ already strong defense.”

Again, Buster Olney has been following the Giants progress this fall intently as he wrote in one of his latest free agency articles that San Francisco has “serious interest” in 2015 home run champion Chris Davis. Andrew Baggarly noted that baseball fans should ignore the Brandon Belt trade rumors; if they were to get Davis, one of the two would be sent to the outfield.

More from Around the Foghorn

• SF Giants: Reliever Reyes Moronta clears outright waivers
• SF Giants sign veteran 1B John Nogowski to minor league deal
• SF Giants call on veteran LHP Scott Kazmir for big start against Padres
• SF Giants: Update on Alex Dickerson’s rehab assignment
• Atlanta claims SF Giants C Chadwick Tromp off waivers

Current Roster Rumor Lineup

Per Andrew Baggarly:

“The Giants are still looking at trade options to add to the outfield and rotation, but nothing is imminent. Other teams are said to be asking for the likes of Matt Duffy and Joe Panik, and both are considered just about untouchable. Belt, by the way, is in the same off-limits territory as Duffy and Panik.”

Next: Did you know the Giants passed on Giancarlo Stanton and Paul Goldschmidt?