Although the Giants are in hot pursuit of Giancarlo Stanton, it never hurts to have a backup plan, especially with the Los Angeles Dodgers joining the party and appearing to be the slugger’s top choice. In light of the reality that the Giants may not see Stanton in their uniform next season, KNBR host Larry Krueger tweeted out how he’d rebuild the team on Wednesday morning.
I’d love to see the #SFGiants land Giancarlo Stanton, but if he goes to the @Dodgers, here is my plan B rebuild w/trades and signings. Thoughts @SFGiants’ fans? pic.twitter.com/v8fw1HgXMl
— Larry Krueger (@sportslarryknbr) November 29, 2017
Let’s break this down.
Sign J.D. Martinez, start him in right field
If the Giants are prepared to take on a majority of Stanton’s monster deal, Krueger suggests they’d likely be willing to put their money towards another highly-paid outfielder: J.D. Martinez.
Between the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, Martinez batted .303 with 45 homers. Although he could cost the Giants upwards of $200 million, Martinez would solve the lack of power in San Francisco’s lineup and increase their chances to compete in the NL West, especially if he can have another four-homer game against the Dodgers.
Sign Jon Jay, start him in center field
Another outfield signing that Krueger suggested is Jon Jay, who inked a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs last offseason. Over the last two years, Jay batted over .290 and is a proven glove in the outfield. In Krueger’s plan, Gorkys Hernandez and Steven Duggar would serve as backups to Jay.
But where’s Denard Span?
Trade for Jason Heyward, start him in left field
Span would be a part of a seven-man trade with the Cubs that would bring Jason Heyward, along with Pedro Strop and Carl Edwards Jr. to San Francisco. In return, the Cubs would receive Span, Steven Okert, Mark Melancon, and Johnny Cueto.
Whoa.
As the Cubs fueled their way to a historic championship run in 2016, Heyward stumbled along with his .230 batting average and 93 strikeouts. Nonetheless, Heyward showed encouraging signs last season when he bumped his batting average to .259 with 11 home runs while maintaining his reputation as a strong defensive outfielder. Behind Heyward, Krueger would keep Hunter Pence, Austin Slater, Jarrett Parker, and Mac Williamson in the organization to back up left field.
Trade for Yangervis Solarte, start him at third
After trading away Eduardo Nunez halfway through last season, third base remained a question mark for the rest of the year and Krueger believes trading with the San Diego Padres for Yangervis Solarte is the answer. In return, the Giants would send Ryder Jones, Joan Gregorio, and Chase Johnson to San Diego.
However, after batting .286 with 15 homers in 2016, Solarte wasn’t as great last season.
Although he jumped to 18 home runs, Solarte finished the season with a .255 batting average. Nonetheless, Krueger would keep Christian Arroyo and Pablo Sandoval as backups and both are capable of surprising the Giants next year.
Trade for Dee Gordon, start him at second
If the Giants can’t get Stanton, then maybe they can trade for one of his teammates, Dee Gordon, and have him start at second base next year. In Krueger’s trade with the Marlins, he’d send away Sandro Fabian, Joe Panik, Miguel Gomez, Corey Gearrin in return for Gordon and Dan Straily. With Panik dealt in the trade, Krueger would sign former Tampa Bay Ray Brad Miller to support Gordon at second.
First, Shortstop, and Catcher
These three positions are pretty much locked down by Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, and Buster Posey. Krueger would keep Kelby Tomlinson at shortstop with Crawford, but his plan has a few behind-the-scene changes at first base and catcher.
Both Chris Shaw and Aramis Garcia would be called up from the minor leagues, the former to play under Belt at first and the latter to join re-signed Nick Hundley behind Posey.
Rotation
With Cueto sent to the Cubs in the trade for Heyward, Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija would move up to No. 2 and No. 3 respectively in the rotation. With Straily as the fourth starter, Krueger lists Ty Blach, Chris Stratton, Andrew Suarez, the team’s top pitching prospect Tyler Beede and signed free agents A.J. Griffin, and Drew Smyly as candidates for the final rotation spot.
Bullpen
Although two of their relief weapons were traded away for Heyward, Krueger put together a formidable bullpen; including Sam Dyson, Will Smith, Kyle Crick, Hunter Strickland, Derek Law, and Josh Osich. He’d also sign a deal that would bring Yusmeiro Petit back to San Francisco and come to terms with Brandon Morrow, who came into his own during the Dodgers’ recent playoff run.