San Francisco Giants Rumors: Weekend Hot-Stove Roundup

The San Francisco Giants Hot-Stove is officially simmering. A few more minor-league contracts were dealt out this weekend. And it seems Eduardo Nuñez is the everyday third baseman to start 2017.

On Saturday morning, the San Francisco Giants signed Jose Dominguez to a minor league contract. First report came from Mat Eddy of Baseball America. A minor league contract for someone who flashes his type of “stuff” is always a low risk-high reward situation. He appeared in 34 games for the Padres last season but got batted around hard. Most likely he spends time in Sacramento (AAA) to start. If his numbers look good and his command improves, he would be a valuable asset to the Giants’ bullpen.

The San Francisco Giants are looking to extend Madison Bumgarner, “…For a long, long time…” according to CEO Larry Baer. In other news, water is wet.

Also, the Giants re-signed shortstop Ali Castillo to a minor league deal. He spent most of his 2016 in Richmond and Sacramento. He touted a .313/.351/.374/.725 slash-line in 411 PAs across all levels. He doesn’t appear as a top prospect, but could be an interesting “emergency depth” call-up at some point in 2017.

Giants Potentially Interested in Jose Bautista

This weekend, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe basically said the Red Sox were the frontrunners for Jose Bautista (scroll way, way down to find the comments on Bautista) However, he also noted that if the deal didn’t get done, that a whole host of teams, including the Giants, would be interested in acquiring the former Blue-Jays slugger. It seems like mere speculation based on the Giants need in left-field, and a free agent who hits a lot of home-runs. However it’s pretty obvious that he wouldn’t be able to handle defensive duties in a spacious left field at AT&T. He probably wouldn’t be the ideal guy for that spot.

Giants Closer Search May Extend To Trade Market

While the Giants have been heavily linked with Mark Melancon, Cafardo mentioned in the same article that if they can’t get into the financial standing for one of the premium, free-agent closers, that they may look to improve the back end of the bullpen via. trade. He threw out David Robertson as a trade possibility. Robertson would definitely be a decent addition to the pen, but there are a few other trade options available. One would be potentially with Tampa again for their young, stud closer Alex Colome. Colome and Robertson are mere speculation as trade targets, but worth contemplating.

Bumgarner Extension

The San Francisco Giants are looking to extend Madison Bumgarner, “…For a long, long time…” according to CEO Larry Baer. In other news, water is wet. It’s quite obvious that the Giants would like to lock him up long term. Many readers and followers have questioned whether the Giants are in pursuit of potential International Free Agent, Shaeni Otani. In our round-table discussion we answered that question. Frankly, if the Giants are going to extend Bumgarner, they aren’t going to sign Otani as well. That would be (potentially) $400 million dollars locked up long term between two pitchers.

Last But Not Least…

More from Around the Foghorn

• SF Giants: 2021 team is approaching franchise milestone
• SF Giants: Brandon Belt is a qualifying offer candidate
• SF Giants: Outfielder Ka’ai Tom signed to minors deal
• SF Giants: Reliever Reyes Moronta clears outright waivers
• SF Giants sign veteran 1B John Nogowski to minor league deal

MLB Trade Rumors released their free agent predictions and had the Giants Signing Melancon for 4yrs/$52 Million, a $13 Million AAV. That’s roughly $3Million over Spotrac’s projected market value for him. For now, that sounds about right given the weak class compared to his ability. They also believe he’ll be the first of the big three to sign.

MLBTR also projected the Giants to get Josh Reddick at 3yrs/$36million. An interesting option for left field. Either him or Hunter Pence would have to make the move to left. Reddick’s fractured thumb cost him some money this offseason. He’s definitely a better player than what you saw with the Dodgers, and with him just turning 30 this February, he might be worth a shot as a backup option to Cespedes.

Next: Staff Round Table Discussion: Offseason

Be sure to stick with us at Around the Foghorn for all your “Hot-Stove” needs this offseason!