SF Giants swing trade with Rays for versatile young infielder

The SF Giants have a decent amount of infield depth as things currently stand, but the team did swing a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays for versatile infielder Osleivis Basabe which will give them an extra infield option.

The Giants acquired Basabe in exchange for cash per the team's transaction log and he was added to the team's 40-man roster.

Basabe is just 24 years old and can play shortstop, second base, and third base. He was originally signed by the Texas Rangers in 2017 as an international free agent out of Venezuela, and he was traded from Texas to Tampa Bay in 2020.

SF Giants swing trade for versatile infielder Osleivis Basabe

He made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2023 and played in 31 games, slashing .218/.277/.310 with one home run and 12 RBI in 94 plate appearances.

Basabe spent most of 2024 in Triple-A. In 66 games with the Durham Bulls he slashed .248/.293/.336 with five home runs and 29 RBI. Those numbers do not fly off the page, but he has shown promise in the minor leagues. He had a pretty great walk off double for the Bulls in 2023 that surely would have made Crash Davis proud.

The Giants already have a fair amount of infield depth when it comes to second base, third base, and shortstop. Matt Chapman will be the starting third baseman, Willy Adames will be the shortstop, and Tyler Fitzgerald figures to be the second baseman.

Casey Schmitt and Brett Wisely looked like they were going to be the two main competitors for a spot on the roster as a depth piece who could play second, third, or short. Adding Basabe into the mix provides a little more competition for spring training.

Even if Basabe does not make the team, he could still be a valuable depth piece to have in Triple-A especially if injuries occur and the Giants are in a pinch and need a player who can play multiple positions.

It still seems likely that either Schmitt or Wisely will land the backup middle infielder spot out of camp, but you never know when a guy has a hot spring and surprises everyone.

Depth is never a bad thing, so the Giants signing Basabe is a smart move that pads out the infield a little bit more and gives the Giants some more options going forward.