The Giants are known to be in search of middle infield help. Two names under consideration: Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong and Royals second baseman Nicky Lopez, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
DeJong seems very likely to be dealt within the next few days. The Cards are preparing to move a number of short-term pieces as they regroup for 2024. DeJong is in the final guaranteed season of his contract; the club holds a $12.5MM option for next season but seems unlikely to exercise it.
After a pair of dismal offensive seasons, DeJong has had something of a return to form in 2023. The right-handed hitter owns a .237/.303/.422 line over 297 plate appearances. He’s striking out at a lofty 29% clip but has connected on 13 home runs in roughly half a season of playing time.
That’s exactly league average offense by measure of wRC+. The scope of the production could lend itself particularly well to more matchup usage. DeJong entered play tonight hitting only .227/.279/.411 against same-handed pitching, but he’s teed off on lefties at a .274/.378/.468 clip.
The Giants are as aggressive as any team in leveraging platoon matchups. They haven’t had to do so at shortstop in recent years. Brandon Crawford has had a hold on the everyday job there. Yet the lefty-swinging Crawford is hitting only .207/.285/.333 in 65 contests this season. He’s not hitting well against pitchers of either handedness. He also landed on the injured list with left knee inflammation 10 days ago, his second IL stint of the year.
Crawford joined Thairo Estrada on the shelf. San Francisco’s second baseman has been down for three weeks after breaking his hand on a hit-by-pitch. Estrada recently began baseball activities and could make it back before too long, but the Giants are presently relying on a rookie rotation of Brett Wisely, Marco Luciano and Casey Schmitt up the middle without much success.
DeJong would bring above-average shortstop defense and some pop against left-handed pitching. Lopez would strictly be a defensive target. The lefty-swinging infielder hasn’t hit a home run in two years and carries a .223/.292/.276 batting line since the start of 2022. Yet he has drawn strong marks for his second base defense and is capable of manning shortstop or third base effectively as well.
Lopez would be easier to accommodate financially. The 28-year-old is playing this season on a $3.7MM arbitration salary, around $1.3MM of which is still to be paid out. He’s controllable for another two years after this but seems to be trending towards a non-tender. DeJong is making $9MM this year and still due around $3.2MM in salary, plus a $2MM buyout on next year’s option.
Both Kansas City and St. Louis have alternatives who could take on a larger middle infield role if they were to push across a deal with San Francisco. The Royals have already curtailed Lopez’s playing time in favor of a longer look at Michael Massey. DeJong is playing every day in St. Louis, but the Cards have Tommy Edman as a potential immediate replacement and top shortstop prospect Masyn Winn in Triple-A.
St. Louis also has depth on the other side of the second base bag. Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman are quality bat-first second basemen with extended control windows. With that middle infield strength in mind, Feinsand writes that St. Louis has also gotten interest from various clubs (not necessarily San Francisco) on Donovan and Edman.
Of course, the asking price on Edman or Donovan would be far higher. They’re a lot less likely to move than DeJong. Not only do they have extended control windows (Edman through 2025, Donovan past ’28), neither is fully healthy right now.
Edman is on the injured list with wrist inflammation. Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat relayed this afternoon (on Twitter) that he’ll begin a minor league rehab stint over the weekend. Donovan is healthy enough to hit but playing through a flexor tendon injury in his right arm. He’s unable to throw and relegated to DH duty for now. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote earlier in the week that Donovan was hoping to avoid surgery and return to defensive work at some point this season. Even if that proves to be the case, he wouldn’t be a middle infield option for anyone in the immediate future.
The Cardinals’ season took a downturn in general once DeJong was added to the mix and the daily positional shuffling began. Every day a new lineup and new positions with little rhyme or reason.
No doubt the Cardinals would love to clear their logjam in the infield. With that being said, Ramon Urias, with his overall skill set and ability to play multiple positions, would be a far better fit for the Giants current roster.
Luis Arraez would be an even better fit.
Sure, but the Marlins are hoping to make the playoffs.
notting – An even better fit would be a new manager to replace Kapler.
Right now it’s the 8th inning of a tie game, and Kapler has absolutely NOBODY on his bench … just 8 pitchers left.
Way to go Kap, awesome planning. Hope one of your position players gets tossed from the game so you can feel the full impact of your stupidity. You’ve done the impossible, you’ve been outmanaged by Cora.
That is true but I really wouldn’t blame DeJong. Frankly we should have traded him a long time ago but he’s been solid this year.
I was shocked they didn’t pull a deal when SOSA started lighting the world on fire and sparked a winning streak? A franchise record winning streak? L on that, but I guess the return will be better this year?
Not being disrespetful, but I would guess most team’s have as much lineup fluctuation as St. Louis. I know the Giants very seldom, if ever have the same lineup more than a few times sporadically. All the injuries these days is the main culprit. I personally don’t remember an injury year like what we’ve seen so far in 2023. Really takes a lot away from the game of baseball. I am a big Giants and it seems like they have somebody hurt every few days. Frustrating for most teams.
Don’t know why my posts keep on doubling up. Sorry
The Cardinals problems this year have a lot to do with bad lineup and roster decisions. Jordan Walker can’t play defense that’s a major problem. Edman doesn’t belong in centerfield. Burleson bad defender. Gorman is average at best. Seems like the Giants get the most out of their talent to me. The Cardinals are doing the opposite. A lot of it stems from Walker’s presence.
Walker should not have made the team out of spring training, Mo is a clown
Marmol will be gone after the season, most likely.
He should be gone, but I wouldn’t count on it. Bowtie stated that the staff holds no blame for the team’s performance.
The only way Marmol goes is if Mo goes. It’s unlikely but if DeWitt really wants to win again anytime soon, he has to bring in someone from outside. The front office is too inbred, only promoting from within for many years now. This is on DeWitt to change.
Mozeliak has done a lot of good things. But one major weakness is his ego not allowing him to hire a legit manager. I don’t care if Mozeliak stays or goes really. But I want Marmol gone ans a legit manager. Last 3 namagers not one had a lick of experience.
mo is a bozo
I would be very surprised if Marmol is back. Bring in someone with more experience. I think Mattingly would be a good fit for the Cards. They shanked it by letting Schildt go imho.
Dejong looks like someone Farhan would go after. If I had to bet on a trade going down there isn’t a more obvious one out there
What about Ramon Urias. He’s a more well rounded player than DeJong and has the multi position eligibility Zaidi values.
Sure, but the Orioles are hoping to make the playoffs
The Orioles are hardly fighting for a wildcard spot like the Marlins. And they have a surplus of infield prospects that need a long look. And they’re clearly more concerned with proper player evaluation than contention in any one season. And a million other reasons that have already been explained ad nauseam on this site.
Well played
@frugalfarhan I’m afraid you’re probably right
Don’t the Giants ever tire of acquiring players on the wrong side of 30 who are past their expiration dates?
@Backup
No, because:
A) They are all on short term deals so they won’t be blocking any young players from coming up, which is happening now.
B) The team usually has a way of maximizing the output of each of these players. How many players have outperformed expectations for the Giants over the last few years? Plenty.
finally, someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.
I kind of wish they’d go after IKF instead. Extra year of control than DeJong (assuming he doesn’t get his option picked up) and can play all over the place. I doubt the Yankees are dying to keep him but I wouldn’t put anything past Cashman.
DeJong has an option for both 2024 and 2025. I think for the right team it’s worth it to at least exercise the 2024 option for 12.5 million in lieu of a 2 million buyout. I think the 2025 option is for 15 million so less likely but maybe.
Zero chance any team picks up that option when there’s cheaper options available with similar production every year. Zero chance.
DeJong is a 2 to 3 win shortstop for 12.5 million and 2 million of that is a buyout so it’s a 10.5 million dollar decision.
I would bet just about anything his option gets picked up. Wait and see. I imagine you are used to being wrong.
Zero chance.
Wait and see fella. Don’t go changing your name after you are proven wrong.
Don’t need to wait, there’s zero chance. And I’m never wrong.
Wow never wrong. Is that your mutant power?
What kind of prospect would the giants be willing to send for Pauly D? Can you get someone like Rodriguez if cash is sent too? Cruz? Probably not I’m guessing. At this point moving Paul could be more about a lottery pick + clearing up the logjam and dumping salary. Still nice to think there could be a good prospect coming but I realize it’s slightly delusional.
Donavon Walton and Brett Wisely
typical Farhan, always looking for cheap bargain basement deals! needs to step up or the Giants are going home, instead of the playoffs.
Who here thinks the Giants should be buying? I certainly don’t see any big moves. It’d be a shame to give up any of their young players.
Joey Bart could be moved with Bailey now entrenched at catcher.
I could see the Giants going after an SP, Monty would be a nice addition.
Dodgers probably getting Arenado and Ohtani anyhow.
I mean they went and got Trea/Freddie/Mookie etc so expect a few of the young Dodgers to be moved like Vargas and Outman and an SP.
Bart shouldn’t be traded. Bailey is hardly ‘entrenched at catcher’, after just 2 months, with his batting dropping like a rock.
Bailey’s defense, framing and managing pitches is 2X of Bart. Unless Bailey gets hurt, Bart is done as a starter in S.F.
Actually Bart’s defense, framing, ect, is above average also. Plus he has light tower power, that Bailey just doesn’t have. The 2 of them could be a great catching tandem. Sabol doesn’t belong behind the dish.
Bailey’s career WAR in a quarter of the service time vs Bart’s should tell you everything…yet you’re still convinced Bart is the heir apparent…Bart is that you hiding behind your tired handle?
I don’t think he’s saying Bart is the heir apparent. I think he’s saying Bart could be a nice compliment to Bailey. Even though Sabol has improved behind the plate, I agree he probably shouldn’t be the backup catcher. That said, Bart has to much swing and miss and if that doesn’t get better real soon he’ll continue his work on another team’s AAA club.
@sacball You’re putting words in my mouth that I didn’t say. I like Bailey. I hope he works out. He might not. It’s too early to give up on Bart. The 2 of them could potentially be a great catching tandem too. The team needs more than just one real catcher. Sabol isn’t really a catcher, he’s just a utility guy who can kinda play the position. That’s what I was said/was saying.
Please don’t get so emotional over it, or take it so personally, that you begin trying to hurl personal insults.
The Giants aren’t going anywhere. Even if the get lucky, play well enough to secure the easy asss Manfred 3rd wild card, they don’t have the arms to compete. How would they set up a rotation for the wild card play in round and have anything left for the NLDS ?? The rinky dink bullpen games they employ now doesn’t play in October.
The Giants are probably going to the NLDS, possibly as division champs, just like year before last. Probably won’t go any further, with Kapler around. But at least they’ll probably be in the playoffs, unlike either NY team.
Division champs??
That’s crazy talk
That LAD team is monster sporting +97 DIFF
That LAD team that lost the division to the Giants recently? Sounds like someone’s just salty, because the Yankees are dwelling in the cellar.
I’ll bet your Yankees are sure hoping they can get to easy asss Manfred 3rd wild card and will happily take it is my guess.
@jacemgs well said
That’s Zaidi’s M.O. – cheapest option possible and then option to minors or DFA if doesn’t work – master of dumpster diving.
I looked at Dejongs Splits. His hitting would be good enough for the Giants to acquire. I’m not sure about his defense.
He’s actually a very solid defensive shortstop. It’s one of his better attributes. You should look up his dWAR, you’ll find a plus defender
The defense is better than the hitting. Much more consistent too.
The power is his sole offensive attribute. DeJong has on base issues and Zaidi prefers higher OBP types.
Zaidi just prefers cost effective types
As should any gm. And any intelligent fans.
Intelligent being the relevant word there. Fans tend to prefer emotional.
The biggest lie MLB has brainwashed their fans with the last decade is that not spending money on talent is ‘Smart’ and money management and efficiency is more important than buying talent and competing
Imagine being duped by Scott boras into thinking spending actually equals winning. How mad are you that the rays are ever in front of the Yankees ever? Shouldn’t happen if you believe what you say.
Buying talent has hardly ever worked. The teams that win are generally all built by the draft. The simpletons will point to the payroll of playoff teams, yeah the playoff teams usually add a bunch of payroll at the deadline lol.
If spending equaled winning you would have seen the Yankees and dodgers play in like 8 straight World Series. Oh right that didn’t happen.
Talk about an deliberate mischaracterization. The issue boils down to resource allocation. Personally, I would love to see a salary floor and more years of arbitration eligibility. What can’t be justified are long term contracts based on past production in an era of skyrocketing injuries
Farhan is not the GM, Pete Putila is
Any gm should, as should as president of baseball operations as should any intelligent baseball fan.
I’d rather see Pete Putila promoted to POBO. I think he’s the reason our farm system has suddenly taken off, since his arrival
DeJong sure, not big on that move but Little Nicky? No way and never.
The problem with an Orioles-Giants trade is that while the Os infield depth is perfect, the Giants don’t have enough starters to go the other way. Mateo or Urias would fit in well, but Elias probably doesn’t want DeScalfani or Manea.
Royals have so many holes in their line-up due to former GMDMs poor drafting – can’t imagine they’d trade the soft hitting / defensive utility of Lopez because right now the rest of the young crew are all striking out at a rate unheard of in the history of the K. Lopez is one of the few on the roster who doesn’t strike out.
Remember the light hitting, impact infield/utility players Zaidi got – La Stella, Machado , Mercedes, Padlo, Vosler, Walton.
Now Zaidi showing interest in Edman and Lopez. Just what Giants need – more of the same light hitting players.
Ironically, Dejong I believe has had major reverse platoon splits, so the point about mashing lefties this year is just statistical noise, and the reverse assumption is much more bankable that he actually should be used as a righty masher.
Donavan a “bat first” second baseman? Gold Glove 2022.
He got a utility gold glove because he played a lot of positions. His glove is mostly average everywhere.
If we don’t trade for starting pitching we are doomed.
The Giants have been fun to watch this year I won’t lie, but I still don’t see them being a contender, if they get in and win a wild card spot I see them getting beat badly by either the Braves or the Dodgers, and likely losing to whom ever comes out of the central in a divisional round. For me they need to keep looking long term, I would like to see them use their payroll flexibility to take on J Donaldson in exchange for prospects and maybe a similar move with a team like the Mets, or padres of it could be done. This team will not contend deep into the playoffs and I do not want to see them jeopardize next year to force the issue. Unless LA gets ohtani, they have made great strides towards competing in the west, and I don’t want to see them back tracking.
is this a yankees fan in disguise? no one wants donaldson, dude
Haha no, not a Yankees fan. But that’s my point. Use the salary cap room to take a bad contract on for a few months, and get a couple of prospects for it. Basically buying prospects. I’m not sure there is anything in the Yankees org that would be worth it, but I’m sure the Yankees would
Love to get out from under that contract. As for Donaldson, you can dfa him once you pick him up if you want the roster spot. The cap hit is already taken so it wouldn’t be a factor.
I can’t get excited about eith DeJong or Lopez. They’re both light hitting plus defeners. How would they be an upgrade over Crawford, Schmitt or Wisely who (this year) are light hitting plus defenders.
I wouldn’t mind a swiss army knife type player who can play anywhere plus knock the ball out of the park occasionally. Lopez has Duane Kuiper power (absolutely none) and DeJong has been awful at the plate for the last 3 seasons, plays only one position and is a 2 month rental.
Hey Wilmer. Reads like Lopez is a difficult out. Maybe more difficult than the current options. As you know, pitching or hitting, they love guys who own the strike zone.
I guess it’s at 2nd where the Giants are the thinnest because Thairo, Marco and Schmitt all back up Craw at short. Wheras when Thairo is hurt or playing short the Giants only have Schmitt and Wisely to play 2nd (I don’t think Wilmer has played an inning there this year). Lopez is a plus defender at both, doesn’t strike out much and has good speed, but that .606 OPS is pretty glaring.
The only way I see the Giants picking up a veteran infielder is if they don’t have confidence that Crawford will be healthy, and in that case it would be good to have a veteran presence in the infield.
Instead of Nicky, why don’t the Royals trade Matt Duffy back to the Giants? Nicky Lopez is one of the players I still don’t have the autograph of
DeJong is low risk with a possible very good upside. He’s only guaranteed until the end of the year but you have two team option years if he continues to do well. I expect someone to trade for him before the deadline.
Gorman is now a balanced glove and bat second baseman making him very vaualble as a big bat middle infielder.
Worst manager in baseball. Nothing but front office puppet.