San Francisco Giants’ Case For J.D. Martinez

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Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants infielder Christian Arroyo during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco Giants have a number of young pitching prospects the Tigers reportedly take interest in, via reports before last year’s trade deadline. This came to surface during the Giants’ failed pursuit of David Price. Now they have a chance to remind the Tigers of their feelings toward Giants’ prospects.

I assume a move for Martinez won’t come cheap, but I don’t expect a king’s ransom for his services either. Granted, he’ll be a free agent after the 2017 season, essentially making him a rental. It’s unrealistic to assume one of their top three prospects won’t have to be offered for a deal to transpire. Major league talent doesn’t come cheap for peanuts.

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I could see a package of Tyler Beede, Ray Black, and one of Chris Stratton or Kyle Crick getting a deal done. However, Tyler Beede displayed immense growth this season posting a stellar 2.81 ERA in 147.1 innings pitched, and the San Francisco Giants may be inclined to keep him.

Ray Black is the most interesting piece in this whole deal. He has an electric arm capable of reaching 104 mph, and is almost major league ready.

Creating the scenario in which the Giants sign an elite closer this offseason, Ray Black would become expendable and his intrigue could hold serious trade value.

I’d personally prefer the Giants to label Chris Shaw, Christian Arroyo, and Tyler Beede as untouchable, but if one were needed to make a deal happen, I’d part with Shaw only because of Brandon Belt’s extension signed at first base. Of course this all changes if Martinez still had two or more years remaining on his deal.

Martinez is also tabbed to make only $11.7 million this season, which would cost less than any premium left field option, and provide flexibility to pursue up to two elite bullpen options if desired. The San Francisco Giants do have $46.4 million to spend this offseason.

Surely, San Francisco Giants’ fans would be pleased with an offseason securing an elite closer and a power bat. J.D. Martinez would be just the power bat they’re looking for, if the San Francisco Giants can live with his defensive weaknesses.

Next: Alternatives to the Free Agent Closers

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