The San Francisco Giants have multiple needs this offseason. They are trying to keep pace with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, along with the rest of MLB. The Dodgers solidified their bullpen by adding former New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
President of baseball operations Buster Posey has hired Tony Vitello as his new manager from the University of Tennessee. He is hoping to make some big moves for his first-year manager with spring training just two months away. On Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that San Francisco is shoring up their pitching staff by signing right-hander Adrian Houser.
As far as position players go, the Giants need a big bat for the lineup and a middle infielder. One name that they have been linked to is Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette. Jim Bowden of The Athletic listed the best fits for Bichette, and it wasn’t good news for San Francisco.
Giants Get Bad News in Bo Bichette Sweepstakes
David Schoefield of ESPN predicted that Bichette would get a five-year, $150 million contract this offseason. Bowden listed the top 3 best fits for Bichette. The Giants were third behind the Boston Red Sox and Blue Jays.
“Bichette is only 27 and can play second base, shortstop, or third base. He’s led the AL in hits twice already and is a really focused, hard-working player who would become an instant fan favorite in Boston. Fenway Park’s unusual dimensions — with the Green Monster in left and the short porch in right — would benefit Bichette, who uses the whole field well. The Red Sox could make him their everyday third or second baseman,” Bowden wrote.
In terms of the Giants, Bichette would be the bat they are missing. Before he suffered an injury in early September, he was having an MVP-type season for Toronto. He slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs, and 44 doubles. His MVP stock tumbled over the final month, and he fell to 16th in voting.
As far as position-wise, for Bichette, he is reportedly telling teams he can move to second base if needed, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. That is big for San Francisco.
Giants Remain a Darkhorse for Bo Bichette
Just how much interest do the Giants have in Bichette? That remains to be seen. If they truly are, there could be some potential roadblocks for Posey and San Francisco.
“If the Blue Jays don’t sign Kyle Tucker, it is likely Bichette will return to Toronto (assuming he hasn’t signed by the time Tucker does). I also think he’d be a huge get for the Giants,” Bowden wrote.
Landing a two-time All-Star like Bichette would be a huge get for the Giants. He would instantly be the bat they need in the middle of the lineup, while also supplying Vitello with flexibility in the infield defensively.
“Though many teams view him as a second or third baseman, his favorite position to play is shortstop. His best fits for teams in need of a shortstop would be the Brewers, but it doesn’t appear Milwaukee is looking for that big of an investment at this point,” Bowden wrote.
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN recently predicted Bichette’s contract to go up to five years and $150 million. That would be a lot for Posey and San Francisco to dish out. However, to compete with the Dodgers, that’s the type of move needed.
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