MLB San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants Using Short-Term Fixes For Future Success

Fresh Videos

By @real_johnshea

Brian Sabean

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The three-time World Champion San Francisco Giants are widely considered the most unlikely dynasty in modern day professional sports, but are perhaps the most efficiently run organization in MLB. The Giants seldom dish out big money to marquee players if the price isn’t right. They’ve developed a highly regarded reputation for cultivating clubhouse cohesion, an often overplayed (and undervalued) aspect of the Giants’ five-year reign as baseball’s crown jewel.

Each of the Giants’ three championship runs have been distinctly different, but they all share a similar formula which has been deliberately executed by general manager Brian Sabean and his brain trust. The Giants are at it again in the 2014-15 offseason. After witnessing fan favorite Pablo Sandoval exit stage left for a so-called new challenge, the Giants also lost the Jon Lester sweepstakes.

Even though it would appear as though the Giants are having a bad offseason, especially considering the current level of intrigue surrounding the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, they’ve positioned themselves for a big splash, or two, next winter.

The Giants claim that recently acquired Casey McGehee had been atop their wish list after Sandoval’s departure, and the likely reason behind that sentiment isn’t because the club views McGehee as a long-term solution; rather, he’s a stopgap solution to a temporary problem. McGehee will become free agent eligible after the 2015 season, as will Jeremy Affeldt, Tim Lincecum, Joaquin Arias, Marco Scutaro and Tim Hudson. The latter two will, in all likelihood, opt for retirement.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, McGehee is projected to earn a $3.5 million salary to avoid arbitration in the 2015 season. Assuming that figure comes to fruition, the Giants’ future payroll obligations will decrease by roughly $48 million after next season. That number currently equates to nearly 30 percent of estimated team payroll for 2015.

The Giants remain in need of an everyday left fielder, but it’s possible Sabean and Co. are looking toward next offseason to fill that void. The 2016 free agent class is flush with big-time talent, like Jason Heyward (26), Juston Upton (28) and Yoenis Cespedes (30).

The Giants will also be in need of at least one starting pitcher, and possibly two, depending on whether Kyle Crick is able to claim a rotation spot in 2016. Next winter features a “wide net” of front-line starters, like David Price (30), Doug Fister (30), Johnny Cueto (30), Jeff Samardzija (31) and Rick Porcello (27).

The list goes on, but the point is simple: The Giants may not be considered the so-called winners of free agency right now. But by implementing a seeming stopgap approach this offseason, they should be good enough to contend for a postseason berth in 2015. The Giants have also set themselves up for a big spending spree next winter.

John Shea is an MLB writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @real_johnshea. Like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on