Max Stassi won’t exercise the opt-out clause in his minor league contract, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, and the catcher will instead remain in the Giants organization and play with Triple-A Sacramento. Yesterday marked the first of three opt-out dates automatically included in Stassi’s contract due to his Article XX(b) free agent status, and Stassi’s next chance to evaluate his future will come on May 1 if he hasn’t yet been added to the Giants’ roster.
There apparently wasn’t much drama in the competition between Stassi and Sam Huff to be Patrick Bailey’s backup catcher, as Slusser notes that Stassi “has known the plan for a while and is fine with it.” If anything, playing in Sacramento has particular appeal for the catcher because he lives in the city and can spend more time with his family. Playing in the minors also allows Stassi the more regular on-field action he needs to ramp up after undergoing hip surgery last year.
Tom Murphy will miss the start of the season due to a herniated disc, creating the opening for Huff to eventually win the backup job. Formerly a top prospect in the Rangers’ farm system, Huff’s defense was often called as a question to stick in the catching role, and Jonah Heim ended up passing Huff on the depth chart. After Huff’s numbers dropped off at Triple-A last year, Texas designated the backstop for assignment, and the Giants claimed him away off waivers in January. The change of scenery seems to have helped thus far, as Huff has been tearing it up at the plate in the Cactus League.
The rest of San Francisco’s bench mix has yet to be determined, though Luis Matos will likely claim the backup outfielder role. Since it doesn’t seem like Jung Hoo Lee’s recent back issue is serious (“I don’t even want to use the word injury, it was so mild,” Lee told Slusser and other reporters), the Giants could take two infielders from the group of Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, David Villar, and prospect Christian Koss.
Villar seems to be the odd one out, as Slusser feels the Giants will be designating him for assignment this week since Villar is out of minor league options. The infielder hit a respectable .231/.331/.455 over 181 plate appearances in his 2022 rookie season, but then struggled badly over 140 PA in 2023 and seemed to fall out of favor for playing time. Villar has a very impressive .268/.377/.511 slash line and 60 homers over 1182 career Triple-A plate appearances, with the caveat that that production came in Sacramento in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. A rival team in need of infield depth might be impressed enough by those numbers to take a flier on Villar if he does up on the waiver wire in the coming days.
There would seemingly be a lot more interest if the Giants made Schmitt available, as Slusser reports that multiple teams have expressed trade interest this offseason. The Giants, however, don’t have much interest in moving Schmitt, who is still two seasons away from even gaining arbitration eligibility. He also has one minor league option year remaining, giving the Giants flexibility in sending him back and forth from Triple-A.
Schmitt has a good track record of Triple-A results, and he showed improvement at the big league level in 2024, albeit in significantly fewer at-bats than he received in his 2023 rookie season. Schmitt hit .206/.255/.324 in 277 PA in 2023, and then bumped that up to a .252/.283/.477 slash line over 113 PA last year. In theory, Schmitt should again see limited action now that Willy Adames was signed to bring more stability to San Francisco’s infield, which in turn bumped Tyler Fitzgerald into a regular second-base role.
Patrick Bailey is the Giants catcher
Red Sox
Yup, Patrick not Andrew! And only a few days past St. Patty’s Day no less.
lol yes Andrew is the Red Sox pitching coach!
Maybe it’s time to trade Schmidt or Villar to Milwaukee for Tyler Black
@stubby66. Why would Mwaukee trade one of their top 6-10 prospects for Villar or Schmitt? Villar in particular makes no sense.
Well give em Christian arroyo and Gary brown
In what capacity would the Giants have any need for Tyler Black anyway, not like you could even acquire his jock strap with that offer. I don’t know how people even come up with this stuff?
The situation with David Villar and Casey Schmitt shows how the Giants are thinking long-term. Villar might not have worked out in the majors, but his great Triple-A numbers might get other teams interested in him. On the other hand, Schmitt is still young, controllable, and can move between the majors and minors, which makes him a valuable piece for the future, even if he hasn’t fully proven himself yet.
Schmitt’s value might not ever be higher.
Giants have hoarded prospects for too long only to see them lose value and some become all but worthless.
With Sabin Ceballos coming up Schmitt could be expendable. And unfortunately, like some other young Giants, Schmitt was selected a year too soon and his options clock is ticking.
This is another test for Buster: Can you make a big trade and move some of your prospects when your predecessor could not?
Highly unlikely. Doesn’t have the experience. Becoming a trade guru is going to take time.
I think experience is overrated when it comes to trades. It comes down to value. If we don’t have anything of value to trade, then it really doesn’t matter who’s in charge. If we had a ML system loaded like the Rays do year in year out, it would be easier. But let’s be honest, the Giants drafting post 2014 has been suspect. We’ve swung and missed on a lot of prospects and international signings. I don’t fault the organization completely, as the MLB draft is risky. But selling people on Villar and Schmitt is like a used car salesman selling junk.
I agree with davemlaw on overplaying our hand with ML prospects. We’ve held onto to a lot of prospects that did not pan out and could have traded them when they held value. Of course, hindsight is 20/20.
Can’t buy that. I think of all the new tasks at hand for Buster, taking on experienced execs in the trade game would be extremely difficult. I struggle to see a world where he is not losing in the initial stages.
I agree Steve that pulling off a good trade shouldn’t take a bunch of executive experience but what I think gets downplayed or under-reported is experience level when it comes to signing free agents. That takes negotiation skills and the ability to make quick judgments and hitting when the irons are hot. Been watching the Boston front office with Bloom and now Breslow and it’s seems like they’ve been too hesitant lately. Buster did great with Chappy & Adames, but then backed off. Not sure if that was planned or if he was getting out-negotiated bringing in other free agents.
Couldn’t disagree more. Busters been a player. He knows what drives them. Negotiating with them and their agents would be far easier. He has been an executive for all of 5 minutes. Knowing what drives differant execs in the trade game, and then negotiating accordingly, is a whole new world for him. For example, Cashman would be at a major advantage if working a deal with the Giants.Been there and done that for 20 years !
How is Buster ever going to learn unless he starts somewhere like by trading Villar and Schmidtt for some lower level long shot prospects? Doesnt matter if they pan out he needs to clear some room and give the rest a clear path to playing time. Make a few moves regardless of whether you win or lose and he will find that trading is just finding out what the other guy wants and what he is willing to pay for it. When we are hovering around 500 at the deadline he will be a seasoned veteran fielding offers for Ray, Verlander, and maybe even Webby?? Rebuild this pile of crap already Buster!
The “pile of crap” with the best record in spring.
You are a sad excuse for a SFG fan.
I guess you like to see into doom future and dwell on past rather than see the here and now. Pathetic.
I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m saying don’t expect outstanding results. He clearly has to get into it, and if other execs are describing them as “hyperactive”, then that’s what they are doing. But it just illustrates my point. The hyperactivity hasn’t achieved a great deal. He is clearly behind the 8 ball. It’s going to take time.
I can see that. I don’t discount experience in either situation, trades or FA signing, but the former takes having good prospects to start with. However, in the last 20 to 25 years we’ve sign a lot of organizations move to analytics and young wiz kids running teams. Owners discounted experience in favor of pure numbers.
The Posey article on ESPN is interesting because Posey is going to back off analytics and rely more on feel and relationships. Only time will tell.
Agreed- there are major challenges ahead for Posey. He stepped in a middling situation where we’re not sure if we’re rebuilding or competing. Given his status, he will get a lot of grace. But fans are anxious. We’ve been stuck in a hamster wheel of mediocrity for the past decade or so.
It’s a double edge sword, if he re-focuses on a re-build that will take time, good decisions and luck. Or spend money on competing now with a marginal roster and thin ML system. Spending money now gives fans hope and the appearance of doing something.
Sure, it could lead to the postseason given the playoffs are easier to make now. I look at the roster and yes, if all goes well with 3 WC spots, they can compete.
The Giants, like most in a similar market, are an organization at the crossroads. We have enough money to spend on marginal free agents, but not enough for high-end ones, this gives us the illusion of hope because they did something. We can do that year in and year out, but it I believe it will continue to perpetuate a team that is .500 with occasional seasons of competing for a WC spot.
I believe a complete re-build is necessary and then compete when and if their window develops. Retain core players with extensions early on and leverage a stocked ML system for smart in-season trades. This was Sabean’s model. We traded a lot of prospects during 3 WS runs for role players that contributed. Some stayed, some left.
We cannot compete in FA like the Dodgers and Yankees and Mets, so why try.
Steves 3, I disagree. First off, it’s fairly obvious they aren’t rebuilding, and are intending to compete. They don’t sign Adames, and extend Chapman, if they’re even thinking of rebuilding. A rebuild takes the better part of a decade, neither would be a factor when they became competitive again. And, rebuilding isn’t as easy as it used to be, now that there’s a draft lottery.
And I disagree most with your belief that the Giants “have enough money to spend on marginal free agents, but not enough for high-end ones”. The Giants are one of the wealthiest teams in MLB. They made huge offers to Harper, Judge, Ohtani, Correa, and Yamamoto. The reason why none of them signed was they wanted to play elsewhere, not the Giants being short financially.
They signed marginal FAs, as Plan B, since Plan A, signing top FAs, fell through. Sometimes signing marginal FAs works. Look at the Royals. They didn’t sign any top FAs in the 2023-24 offseason, but went from 50 games under .500, to 10 over and a WC berth.
Give up hoping for a rebuild. The team philosophy. from ownership down, is to try to compete every single year. Anyone yearning for a rebuild, should maybe find another team to root for. Being a Giants’ fan and wanting a rebuild will only lead to frustration, because it’s not going to happen.
Jean- “find another team to root for.” Hmmm. Just because my opinion differs, I am not good enough of a fan??? Just because I provide an alternative observation on how to build a winning team vs. dumb spending on overpriced free agents??
How about a different approach to viewing things vs. the just spend more money argument?
The proof is in the pudding- this is a mediocre team with a lot of holes and questions. The fact is, if we’re taking about what to do with David Villar as if he’s a key component, we’re in trouble…
Sure, mediocre can get you to the playoffs with 6 spots open, but long-term success is a long way out until we re-build the system. They might compete for the 6th wildcard spot, and that’s a big if.
FYI- did we sign Judge or Harper? Soto? Every fan base says the same thing, we’re a rich team and can afford those guys. Guess what? It didn’t happen. Sure we have money, but not enough for those guys…
But go ahead and buy into the illusion that this team is close to being competitive year in year out.
And you are correct, they want to compete and will still spend money on what they can. But it seems to be patch work. We can continue down this road of signing B rated FA’s coupled with a weak ML system and we will see how it plays out.
Saying that doesn’t mean I am not a true fan- check in with me at the end of the season when this team finishes with 76 to 80 wins.
You misinterpreted my saying “anyone yearning for a rebuild, should maybe find another team to root for.” That was not directed at you specifically, but to all Giants’ fans calling for a rebuild. It’s like the fans calling for their team to sign Trevor Bauer. It’s beating a dead horse, and not going to happen. And when it doesn’t those fans are going to be angry and frustrated. If they can’t accept the fact that the Giants aren’t going to rebuild, rooting for a new team would cause less angst. I haven’t argued whether they should rebuild or not, simply stating the facts, that a rebuild is not going to happen. Fans need to accept the facts.
A lot your points are irrelevant to my post. Whether they signed Harper, et al. is irrelevant. You said they couldn’t afford top FAs, and I was pointing out that they made huge offers to those top FAs, so they do have the money. Saying they don’t is wrong, which was my point.
Like my point about rebuilding or not, I was not arguing for spending wildly or taking the frugal approach. Only stating the facts that the Giants have as much money to spend as any other team, except maybe the Mets’, which IMO aren’t well run financially.
Every fanbase does not say that they’re a rich team and can afford top FAs. Look at the teams that had bids on Judge, Ohtani, and Yamamoto. Basically, some combo, of the same teams, Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, Mets’, Phillies, Jays and Giants. And even Cubs’ fan complain their team doesn’t spend. Most fanbases complain that their owners aren’t willing to spend. The M’s, Guards, A’s, Marlins, Rays, Twins, Pirates, Reds, and Brewers are teams that aren’t wealthy, won’t spend big, and their fans are well aware of those facts.
And please, quit putting words in my mouth. I never said this team is close to being competitive, year in year out. You’re making straw man arguments. Again. I was only stating the fact that the Giants’ team philosophy, top down, is to try and compete every year. You need to read better. lastly I never said you weren’t a true fan. Another straw man.
Was Schmitt a highly regarded prospect at one time?? I assumed he was a 40 FV guy at best.
Actually Schmidt was a great Prospect and got drafted in the second round but it was during the pandemic bull$hit year!! But his low signing bonus gave us other prospects with better value!! He was originally a two way play and his pitching stats were pretty good as well but his defense at 3rd and 2nd was his true calling!! Schmidt even as an off the bench player is a mlb player and could be a .250-260 10-20 HR and 10-20 SB player
FanGraphs has Schmitt as a 45 FV guy in their 2023 evaluation. A lot of that value comes from a 60 present / 70 future defense tool. He didn’t look like that at the MLB level, though he was playing out of position at times and rarely getting consistent playing time last year.
He would be a decent utility guy, so if the Giants aren’t going to roster him then I think they should trade him if the return is promising.
Schmidt was a great low cost draft choice when we drafted him and when we did it was about slot value to sign him and have money left for other picks!! Prospects are just that prospects!! Not even 15% even pan out especially top 10 prospects. I love Villar and Schmidt and believe Schmidt has a lot of trade value and I think Villar could be the Giants next Adam Duvall (mess up) we will see
@DJboy. Villar is already 28. He’s not the next Duvall. And why do you think Schmitt has a lot of trade value? He’s 26 and has hit very little at the MLB level.
@dave
I really don’t think Schmitt should be seen as expendable just yet. I’m a Fitz guy, but I can see Casey stealing second from him too. Better defensively. Should Fitz falter or slump Casey could seize the opportunity.
I would lean toward keeping him this year.
I don’t think they would trade Schmidt this early in the season because there’s no reason to do that now. He’s there best depth option if Chapman or Adames get hurt. Also the team has so many questions going into the season that they don’t know where they’re going to need help. I think if there’s a big trade it will happen closer to the deadline.
PATRICK BAILEY is the Giants catcher, not Andrew Bailey. Please fix this in the main article! Such poor writing…
pathetic whiner
Pathetic. Anybody who knows baseball knew exactly what he meant anyway. This was not anything egregious in any way whatsoever. You really need to get a grip on reality.
I smell a trade of Tyrone Taylor for Schmitt.
Why would Buster Posey trade his best depth piece at 3rd base? If Chapman gets hurt, the Giants would be screwed!
Mark, you need to focus on the task at hand. Not only is the player’s name wrong but so is the hyperlink!! Double jeopardy!
Pathetic whiner
You and @willthethrill up there must get sexually excited or something pointing out these inconsequential typos like a mean teacher with the red pen.
@ Ignorant. I dunno. Would you criticize a doctor for a mis-diagnosis? A lawyer for srewing up your defense? A contractor for installing the wrong cabinets? Getting on a professional writer for a typo doesn’t seem that far out of bounds. Criticizing a commentor for writing “Schmidt” instead of “Schmitt” could be. But here, the wrong guy got identified. Not every reader knows the Giants that well. Insert shrug emoji.
I get your point, and accuracy is definitely important for a professional writer. But I think comparing a simple name mix-up to a doctor misdiagnosing a patient or a lawyer botching a defense is a bit of a false equivalency. The stakes in those professions are significantly higher, with real-life consequences.
Writers are human too, and occasional mistakes happen — especially in fast-paced environments like sports media. Sure, it’s fair to point out the error, but it’s not quite the same as criticizing a life-or-death decision. In this case, it’s a harmless mistake that most readers will understand in context. Insert shrug emoji.
Doctors, Lawyers ?!?!
It’s a free website. No chance I’m whinging about content. In my world, it’s self entitled BS. So much quicker, easier and respectful to just move onto the next free paragraph.
Talk to arson judge about it
Felt like Villar might be the odd man out, Wisley and Schmitt might make the opening day roster, but once Encarncion is ready to return, of them might be the casualty, some good but uninspiring depth for the Giants, like the abundance of arms they have, good depth but not a huge amount of upside
Koss has looked like the second coming of Brandon Crawford, I hope he makes the roster…
I think the big difference this year to last is that this year there are tough decisions about who to send down where last year they were about how to fill out a roster. Mason Black and Kai-Wei Teng were never in danger of making the OD rotation, likewise no drama at SS. Seems like a more solid team.