The Giants are “showing continued interest” in infielder Jae-gyun Hwang, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network (via Twitter). Hwang, 29, is a free agent who would not require any posting arrangement to acquire.
The Korean star has spent much of his career with a different Giants organization — the KBO’s Lotte Giants. He held a showcase in the fall in hopes of landing an opportunity with a major league club.
Hwang is likely to factor as a third baseman, meaning that he’ll be competing with open-market options such as Luis Valbuena and Trevor Plouffe. Also potentially a factor is Todd Frazier of the White Sox, who’s available via trade. While Justin Turner’s signing may have been expected to clear the way for some more action at the hot corner, the market has largely been quiet since.
Though Hwang drew no bids when he was posted last winter, he ended up turning in rather an intriguing 2016 season. He not only continued to exhibit a power boost, hitting 27 home runs for the second consecutive season, but this time did so while nearly halving his strikeout totals (from 122 to 64) and slightly increasing his walk rate. While the overall .335/.394/.570 output came in the hitter-friendly KBO, and can’t be taken at face value, Hwang’s overall profile is much more promising now than it was this time last year.
For San Francisco, Hwang could represent an interesting lottery ticket who could play a reserve role or perhaps turn into something more. The club is said to be eyeing improvements at third base and the corner outfield, while remaining hesitant to expend too many resources to do so. While Hwang’s market price will be supported by demand from his native Korea — even if there’s a relative dearth of needy MLB organizations — he figures to be available at a relatively palatable rate by major league standards.
Mm, worth a shot.
I hope someone takes a shot on him. It is always fun to see how players transition. Shoot, if he does not cost much, the Braves could afford to take a shot on a third baseman.
Giants are fine with Eduardo Nunez and Conner Gillaspie. No need for Hwang.
Yeah, I would be perfectly fine with that combo too, honestly.
Agreed, unless he can play LF, Giants don’t need him.
Might try him, then if all good trade Nunez or Connor at midseason.
Or it could work if Nunez played LF and he plays 3b.
Fine with Nuñez and Gillespie? Really? Look at their career stats and you find that their 2016 numbers were anomalies on the high end. Doubtful they could both match them. Also Nuñez bats higher careerwise against RHP than LHP. So what’s the need for Gillespie anyway?
Nunez runs. The guy steals bases and is the only real threat on the bases for the Giants so he needs to stay in the lineup. I like Gillespie as a clutch guy, he’s a true ballplayer but not a guy to rely on heavily.
Denard Span and Angel Pagan can run and sometimes Pence will do some base stealing
Angel Pagan is a free agent. Hunter Pence has 5 stolen bases over the last two seasons.
I agree don’t get any more of those mom’s and Pop’s players
Unless it is better
I don’t mind Todd Fraser.
Hehe
What an awesome name lol. Brings back memories of the 02′ Giants with Tsuyoshi Shinjo. So fun to say & miss hearing Jon Miller say it during broadcasts along with him sounding out every Hispanic players name as well, so epic.
Front of the jersey says Giant…back says Hwang…i hate that my 13 year old even snuck out for a second.
I don’t understand why MLB has to go to different countries to employ ball players. If Latin, Korean, Japanese players want to play here, they should move here, like the Cubans. Keep the money inside the US. Expand baseball programs for boys and girls here, and promote baseball leagues at all levels.
Are you seriously advocating limiting the major leagues to only American-born players? Are you posting this comment from 1946?
I think he is
Oh my…..
Wow. Nicely done.
HOT TAKE!!!
Can you explain to me how they’re gonna play ball here without moving here?
ding ding ding!
or…maybe better to explain how they are going to move here without playing ball? Cubans come here as refugees, or through corporate sponsorship (like the posting system, just less formalized and negotiated through buscones instead). smh
Bud Norris, is that you?
This post brought to you by the year 1946.
This is so thoroughly misinformed and misguided that it’s hard to know where to begin. A few salient points, though:
1) there is a rich history of players from other nations playing here; there’s no need, strictly speaking, to find baseball players from other countries, but it is undeniable that the major league game would be less competitive (and less popular here and abroad, and less lucrative for all involved) were it limited to US/CAN/PR talent
2) obviously, players have to move here, at least during the season, to play here … generally, though, an immigrant drawn by job prospects has to have employment to be sponsored to work in the US
3) I don’t understand your distinction between Cubans and “Latins,” or your distinction between the route taken by typical Cuban players and the groups from the other parts of the world
4) “keep the money inside the U.S.” … I mean … I don’t even know what to say to this; one retort, I suppose, is that many American and Canadian ballplayers play in Latin American winter ball leagues, the Mexican League, and Asia’s thriving professional leagues, and earn money there
5) expanded ballplaying programs for American youth have no connection to MLB international signings, except perhaps that enriching the overall sport by having the world’s best players in MLB broadens its appeal and improves the product most visible to children
How you can answer that with this level-headed response I’ll never understand. You’re certainly one of a kind, Jeff (in a good way)
It’s one thing to advocate for the growth of baseball as a sport domestically in the face of other sports draining the young talent pool away…such as soccer…or the economics..such as inner city baseball development. It’s an entirely different issue, and ignorant statement made above. Move here? These players are in the top end tax bracket as it is. Players in California are paying 13% plus I believe….and there might be a “star” tax.
All of this doesn’t even touch on the great history and legacy that foreign born players have brought to the game. Where would Pirates history be without Roberto Clemente?
The kind part of me would like to believe that this was a misstatement….but no one shocks me anymore.
The only issue that COULD potentially be made has nothing to do with race/nationality…but that there should be an international draft so that domestic economic opportunity isnt suppressed. There again….we take advantage of players in the dominican at age 16. I think fairness of opportunity should be the only goal…and that is blind.
Jeff, you are a saint. (In the Roger Moore sense)…. very kind response to such ignorance.
It’s gotta be a joke post no??
Unfortunately no. It’s another M
Wish it was…
I’ll bet you 10 American dollars that I can guess your stance on bat flipping.
Just like Pablo panda
Made so much money
Eat so much good food
Gain so much weigh
Okay Shoe…..you start the boycott of MLB and we’ll all be right behind you…we can chain across the Mexican border. We’ll meet you down there
You’re a tool.
2017 just started and we’ve already got a “Most Ignorant Comment of the Year” front-runner.
I kind of want to keep a spreadsheet and post them all at the end of the year for a vote. Where’s all the other regulars? How can we make this happen?
57….you have got to be a little leaguers mother that knows little about MLB. Sorry, but that’s what your script sounds like.
Ummm, no.
Yes, because paying foreign-born players and investing in domestic little league programs are mutually exclusive. The only thing even salvageable about this comment is that I have read a major function of CBT money is development of the game, primarily in other countries. If shoe is trying to say it would be better to invest that domestically, I could see that, but alas, shoe did not say that and chose ignorance instead.
The Giants should just sign Saunders he’s not going to command more than 7.5 mil with where the market is and I don’t think the Giants are that strapped for cash because he’s still and upgrade over anything they have rn and they don’t have the prospects to get Martinez. If they are truly that strapped for cash sign Someone like Desmond Jennings, Austin Jackson, peter bourjos, Cody Ashe they need to get someone else in the outfield I just don’t see it with mac and Parker out there. They also should Sign a few vets on high incentive deals like storen, smith, Howell, medlen, gee I know they want to go young in the pen but the pen needs more help medley and gee could also help in the rotation if needed.
Agreed
IMO none of those players are “difference makers”… in that case, just go with Mac or Jarrett.
If I had a choice between upgrading the 3B platoon or the LF one, I’d pick 3B. At least the younger LFs have potential to improve. The 3Bs overachieved based on career numbers and Nuñez can be a Super Sub.
I think they should teach Nunez to play left field and sign a 3b. Unlikely, but it wouldn’t be half bad.
A .270 hitter with 15 home runs at best. Giants are better off with Nunez.
How can you tell the Giants would be better off with Nunez by saying he’s a .270 hitter?
What if he slashes .270/.400/.450 with 15 homers and plays solid defense at 3rd? Are they still better off with Nunez?
Before this year, Nuñez had never hit more than five homers in a season. You really think he’s going to hit 18 (or more) again next year? And what is Nuñez’ lifetime batting average? .271
SF is on record (Evans) saying they “would like to find another 20 home runs a year”. They are not going to do this with the current roster unless Williamson/Parker have a breakout year. Which is possible, but hard considering they play half their games at AT&T. PLus they are likely to be platoon players and never feel comfortable because I think if you want to see them blossom give someone a chance to feel like they belong and play every day. At 3B Nunez/Gillaspie isn’t going to give SF much power so it seems to me they are trying to figure out what incremental moves they can make to add another 20 somewhere.
Personally, I don’t agree with this approach. SF is a big ballpark and therefore power to me becomes fly ball outs more than not, they need players who can hit gap to gap for extra base hits and able to take those extra bases when available. Unless they are going to get a guy with power and speed, I’m not all that excited by it.
The Toddfather can get ya double that.
Trade gor him and move Nunez to the OF
Given a full season of at bats, Williamson could definitely contribute 20 homers. In fact, his 2016 pace would definitely get him to the 20 mark. Problem is, he’s going to give you .220/.300 production as well.
I just cannot believe no one made the Major League 2 comment:
“I got you someone from the Giants….. not those Giants.”
Excuse the paraphrasing.
Perhaps the White Sox can join in the bidding for Jae-gyun Hwang. It’s not like they have any top MLB ready 3B options in their minor league system with the possible exception of Yoan Moncada who will be tried at 2B in his debut at AAA Charlotte. Hwang could potentially be a core piece for the White Sox at the hot corner and they might also help drive his price up to other suitors who may still have an interest in Frazier. Win-win?