It's early December, which in Major League Baseball signifies the extremely important winter meetings.
It was believed coming into this week that at least a few of the premiere free agents in this year's class would find new homes throughout the 4-day event in San Diego, and things have really started to pick up Monday.
Over the last 72+ hours we've seen Jacob deGrom leave New York for Texas and Justin Verlander leave Houston to replace deGrom in New York. What more or less effects the Giants more though was Trea Turner, the 1A or 1B of the shortstop class, depending on how you look at it, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phills were rumored as front runners coming into the offseason because of their need up the middle and the fact that Trea Turner listed them as one of his top choices. He has a relationship with start outfielder Bryce Harper, the Phillies are fresh off a world series appearance and looked poised to continue to be in the mix for the next few years at least. He also wanted to play on the east coast again after spending the last season and a half in Los Angeles. Now he'll get $300 million over the next 11 years to do just that.
Not surprised at the dollar amount for Turner, especially after seeing what Corey Seager got last winter from Texas, but the 11 years was not expected and I wonder how this will effect Carlos Correa's negotiations.
Coming into the offseason, I leaned Trea Turner over Carlos Correa in terms of targets the Giants could potentially fall back on if they swing and miss on Aaron Judge. Turners speed, durability and offensive consistency would be welcomed toward the top of any lineup and baseball, especially the Giants.
Correa has been injury-prone throughout his career and doesn't possess the 30+ stolen base speed and the sparkling .300 career batting average that Turner does. I just saw Turner as more of a lineup changer than Correa at this point in time but as I've looked more into Correa on both sides of his game, I can see more why the Giants pegged him as their plan B to Judge.
Correa just turned 28, which means his prime is just about to start. He has the ability to improve on what he's done so far which already has him among the best young shortstops in the game. He's got 30 home run power, which Turner doesn't have and which is what this Giants lineup can sure use after seeing their home run totals drop significantly in 2022. What made them such a juggernaut throughout 2021 was their ability to beat you with walks and big flies and Correa is the type of guys who can do just that. He's also got the platinum glove on his mantel and is one of the more clutch hitters out there.
Now, I don't want to keep going on about Correa just yet. The Giants' prime focus right now is trying to get Aaron Judge to come home and play in the Bay Area and although I still think the Yankees hold the edge in those sweepstakes, it is at least promising that the Giants are right their neck and neck with them.
Whether it is Aaron Judge or Carlos Correa, the Giants need to make a splash this winter and Farhan Zaidi knows it. Not to mention, it can't just be sign one of these guys and your ready to head to Scottsdale as a favorite in the National League. The Giants were .500 ball club last year and have already lost their best starting pitcher. Signing a Judge or Correa would be a huge step in the direction of getting them back into contention, but they still have a few other needs that cannot be overlooked or patched together with just pieces they have in house.
They have to find a replacement for Rodon. It doesn't necessarily have to be a guy who's going to be top-5 in the Cy Young race next year but it better be someone who can pitch up towards the top of their rotation.
They have questions at second base and center field that could use addressing as well. Although I would be OK rolling with Thairo Estrada at second if they are able to upgrade other areas of the team.
I would also like to see another veteran arm added to the back end of the bullpen to help take some pressure of Camilo Doval and play sort of the Jake McGee role from 2021.
All eyes surrounding the Giants right now are on Aaron Judge, and what his decision will be but whatever that decision is, the Giants still have a 26-man roster to fill out and signing Judge or Correa only fills one of those spots. It's a huge spot to fill, don't get me wrong, but neither of those guys make this team a true contender again on their own.
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