SF Giants reportedly showed interest in power-hitting second baseman

The SF Giants are clearly looking for any way to improve their team. That is why it comes as no surprise that the Giants were mentioned as a team that was interested in power-hitting second baseman Gleyber Torres before he signed with the Detroit Tigers.

This report came via Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press who noted that many teams, including San Francisco, expressed interest in Torres. It is unclear exactly how much interest the Giants showed in Torres and whether that was before or after the team signed shortstop Willy Adames.

If it was before the Adames signing, perhaps the front office was thinking that Torres could be a strong second baseman for them and then they could add a less expensive shortstop like Ha-Seong Kim so they had two additions up the middle.

SF Giants showed interest in Gleyber Torres before he signed with Detroit

If the interest came after the Adames signing, then that could suggest the front office did not have as much confidence in breakout rookie Tyler Fitzgerald to handle duties as an everyday second baseman as they said they did publicly.

If the Giants had signed Torres after signing Adames, they may have used Fitzgerald in a utility role where he could play pretty much anywhere in the infield or outfield for the team.

Ultimately, Torres signed a one-year $15 million contract with Detroit. He has displayed great power in his career, hitting 24 home runs or more in four of his seven big league seasons with the Yankees. Last season with New York he slashed .257/.330/.378 with 15 home runs and 63 RBI in what was a bit of a down season for him.

Torres apparently wanted a one year deal so that he can have a better season and earn a larger contract in free agency next offseason. If he is looking to have a big year, it makes sense that he would not want to hit at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

Of course, we do not know the level of interest San Francisco showed in Torres or whether they even extended him a formal offer. Yet, it is still interesting to ponder what the Giants would have looked like in 2025 with Torres.

It is questionable whether Torres would have been a major upgrade over Fitzgerald who hit 14 home runs in 96 games compared to the 15 Torres hit in 154 games last season. Fitzgerald's power largely disappeared after the summer, though, so maybe the Giants feel like he cannot replicate his 2024 success.

Who knows, maybe if Fitzgerald struggles at second base next season but the Giants prove themselves to be contenders at the trade deadline, they could try and swing a trade for Torres as a rental to give them more power in their lineup if he looks more like his usual self in the first half of 2025.

For now though, we are just left to imagine what a Giants team would have looked like if they had pursued Torres more aggressively.