Farhan Zaidi throws cold water on potential SF Giants pursuit of slugger

Farhan Zaidi may be on the hot seat, but if he does keep his job it seems like the SF Giants will not make a push to sign or trade for a first baseman this offseason. This is not a huge surprise, but it is still significant.

Zaidi talked about this and other important decisions that will affect the future of the team in a ranging interview with Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Zaidi specifically addressed whether the Giants would make a move to add a first baseman or designated hitter.

Baggarly writes: "[Zaidi] made it clear that the Giants wouldn’t sign a first baseman or designated hitter to a multiyear contract that would block the way for top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who hit his way to Triple A as a 19-year-old this season."

SF Giants putting faith in top prospect over potential free agent sluggers

This does not come as a huge shock. Eldridge has a lot of promise and has torn it up in the minor leagues so far, so it makes sense that the Giants want to give him an opportunity to be called up to the big leagues in 2025 and not be blocked by an expensive free agent.

This almost certainly means that the Giants will not try to sign soon-to-be free agent first baseman Pete Alonso of the New York Mets nor trade for first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays. These two names were connected to the Giants at the trade deadline, but it seems that both of those ships have now sailed.

Both of them are proven power hitters who have both hit over 30 home runs this season. They would also help provide that star power that the Giants have been sorely missing. Instead, the Giants are going to bank on that power, of both the home run and star variety, coming from within the organization.

This is a bit of a risky move. Eldridge looks really good, but we know that the Giants do not have a great track record recently with hyped-up top prospects. Joey Bart never found success with the Giants and Marco Luciano has had a lot of struggles thus far in his big-league career. There are no guarantees with Eldridge.

Plus, the Giants do also have LaMonte Wade Jr. on the team. Zaidi addressed him as well and talked about his injury history as well as the fact that he does not have the typical profile of a first baseman. It seems like the Giants could bring Wade back as a bit of a placeholder while Eldridge develops more in Triple-A, eventually taking his place and leading to Wade being benched or traded. Or they could just stick Eldridge in the DH spot initially since Wade provides value on defense.

There is also the question of who is running the front office next year. This is how Zaidi feels about the situation, but if he is let go and his replacement feels that Eldridge needs more seasoning in the minors then perhaps the Giants do go out and get a free agent first baseman.

This all depends on many factors, but we know that if Zaidi is the one calling the shots, a splashy move for a first baseman or designated hitter does not seem to be in the cards.