The Giants made their first big move of the offseason on Wednesday morning, acquiring three-time All-Star 3B Evan Longoria in a trade that send both Christian Arroyo and Denard Span to Tampa Bay. Though Longoria wasn’t exactly a world beater at the plate in 2016, he is at the very worst an above average third baseman, and now gives the Giants solid players at every infield position.
He may also give the stagnant San Francisco clubhouse a little spark according to Giants Executive VP Brian Sabean.
“He’s widely known in baseball circles as a gamer and certainly one of the best third basemen of the last 10 years, but he’s kind’ve navigated his career through some tough circumstances in Tampa Bay,” Sabean told Hoffar & Frandsen on Thursday morning. “Each year is a challenge for those folks to compete and lord knows they’ve done that probably above and beyond with the minimal payroll that they have.
“We kind’ve know what we’re getting we think, on and off the field, and it’s a clubhouse that needs some fresh faces or even some new energy, and I think Evan’s presence in the lineup and what he brings as a person can’t be underscored.”
Coming off a 98 loss season, the Giants could use a boost both on the field and in the clubhouse, and Longoria’s very presence should help inject just that.
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Sabean’s comments on Longoria, skip to 1:00.
