The San Francisco Giants are in the process of giving one third baseman a second chance.
Now, the Giants are in a position where they may be giving a different third baseman a third chance.
On Sunday morning, Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy announced that Conor Gillaspie, who was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Wednesday evening, had cleared waivers and will accept an option to AAA Sacramento.
“Conor has done a lot for us so it’s nice to have him down there,” Bochy said. “It gives us some inventory. Not that that’s why we got him, but he’s down there available and we’ll see where we’re at when he starts playing.”
After clearing waivers, Gillaspie had the choice between becoming a free agent or accepting his option, and the 30-year old infielder elected to remain with the Giants’ organization.
Gillaspie was designated for assignment after his average dipped down to .163 following an 0-for-3 performance in the Giants’ 6-1 loss to the Oakland A’s on Wednesday.
Shortly after Gillaspie was designated for assignment, Giants’ first baseman Brandon Belt was hit by a pitch in the helmet. On Saturday morning, the Giants placed Belt on the disabled list, and with a limited amount of corner infield options remaining in the San Francisco system, the organization called up Pablo Sandoval, effectively giving Sandoval a second chance after Sandoval left the club in free agency following the 2014 season.
Gillaspie has already received a second chance with the Giants, as the 2008 first round draft choice returned to the organization in 2016 following two-plus seasons with the White Sox and 17 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2015. Gillaspie’s return paid off for San Francisco in the National League Wild Card game last season, when he launched a three-run homer in the ninth inning to down the Mets.
Bochy admitted he was a bit surprised Gillaspie cleared waivers because he does have a demonstrated ability to succeed in pinch hitting situations, but said he’s happy that Gillaspie will remain with the Giants for the time being.
“You look at his history and what he’s done, what he did last year late in the season when he took over playing,” Bochy said. “But you also have to look at the numbers now. But he’s a pretty good pinch hitter, he’s got two home runs this year so I thought somebody might take a chance on him.”
