SF Giants reunite with versatile middle infielder on a minor league deal

The SF Giants have reportedly added middle infield depth in the upper minors. According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, they have signed versatile middle infielder Osleivis Basabe to a minors pact.

SF Giants reunite with versatile middle infielder on a minor league deal 

Basabe was eligible to reach free agency this offseason, but he was not among the Giants minor leaguers to hit the open market earlier in November. Presumably, this deal will include a camp invite.

As is the case every offseason, teams need to rebuild depth in the upper minors through the minor leaguer free agency channel. The Giants have quietly begun that process with the additions of Basabe, Logan Porter, and Wilkin Ramos.

The Tampa Bay Rays originally signed Basabe during the 2017 - 2018 international signing period out of Venezuela. He received a $550,000 signing bonus. 

Basabe comes from a baseball family. His relatives include former Giants outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and current Giants outfielder Luis Matos.

Before the 2025 season, the 25-year-old infielder had spent his entire pro career in the Rays organization. This includes a brief stint in the majors in 2023 where he posted a .587 OPS with one home run and 12 RBI in 94 plate appearances.

Basabe came over to the Giants in a minor trade right before spring training. At the time of the move, he was on waivers, so the Giants sidestepped that process by acquiring him in exchange for cash.

In June, the Giants placed Basabe on waivers. He cleared and returned to Triple-A for the remainder of the year.

Across seven minor league seasons, Basabe has slashed .291/.349/.419 with a 7.6 percent walk rate, 14.3 percent strikeout rate, and a .128 ISO. This includes a .721 OPS with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in 477 plate appearances with the Sacramento River Cats in 2025.

The right-handed bat does not have much power upside but he has above-average contact skills and can put some pressure on the defense with his speed. Basabe’s primary position is shortstop, but he has a lot of pro experience at second base and third base. He has even spent some time in the outfield as well.