SF Giants reportedly rebuffed by rumored recently released catcher target

SF Giants beat reporter Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that free agent catcher Elías Díaz has turned down the Giants as a possible landing spot because the Giants could not guarantee him a roster spot after Patrick Bailey returns.

This is after it was reported by Slusser that the Giants were potentially interested in Diaz after their starting catcher Patrick Bailey went down with an oblique injury. Thankfully, the Giants are optimistic that this is not a serious injury for Bailey and that he will be back on the team soon after a 10-day IL stint.

SF Giants get rebuffed by another free agent (but a small one this time)

This makes sense from the perspective of Díaz. It would have been very possible that the Giants would have signed him just as a short-term replacement while Bailey is on the IL only to designate him for assignment as soon as Bailey was back and healthy. We have seen the Giants do that this year with players like Derek Hill who only played 5 games with the team before getting designated for assignment.

It is also important to note that it is difficult for a catcher to come in midseason and learn a new pitching staff. The Giants trust Curt Casali behind the plate and know that he is comfortable and more than capable of handling the staff. There would be more of a learning curve with Díaz since he would be coming in fairly cold even if he probably does have some familiarity with the Giants' pitching staff since he played in the same division with the Colorado Rockies for the last 5 seasons.

In sum, this situation just did not work out for both sides at this time. So, before some report that Díaz spurned the Giants because he is afraid of the Tenderloin, just remember that it is because he wants more job security than just being a one-week fill-in.

The Giants must hope they can get their starting catcher Patrick Bailey back as soon as possible though. Even though he has been ice cold at the plate, he is simply invaluable behind the plate with his great defense and they are going to need it if they are to have any shot at the postseason.