This has been the most fascinating off season and early spring training that I can recall in ages.
FZ has made moves that help the team quite a bit. But restrict the flexibility he loves. Soler is an everday DH. Chapman another corner infielder.
As it currently stands their 6 IF spots are taken by Wade, Flores, Estrada, Davis, Chapman and either Luciano or Ahmed.
That is 4 corner infielders. Absent injury (which no one wants) as of today, Estrada is likely the backup SS with Flores playing second base on the days Estrada slides over or takes a day off. That is not good.
There has been some talk of Chapman playing SS. Hopes that talk ends quickly. It defeats the purpose of signing him. He’s an elite 3B. In the Brooks Robinson class.
FZ assuredly has a plan to move one if the other three corners -Wade, Flores, Davis.
Flores to me is the least likely. He is, by my reading of the tea leaves, perhaps the most respected player in that clubhouse by his teammates. And he was their best hitter last year. Further, he plays 1B, 2b and 3b. Albeit none particularly well. Wade is a possibility. But he’s had injury issues - and he’s their only LH hitting IF. The Giants are RH heavy.
Davis is the most likely to go. Although he could play first - and he is not a platoon guy. He hits lefties and righties equally well.
One problem - teams know the Giants situation. So, the return could be less. And it’s not as if any of they here, traded alone, would bring back much.
Perhaps FZ has a blockbuster - Davis, Bart, and a prospect or two for a SP or a MIF/SS But I think that is unlikely.
Whatever happens, it’s been darn interesting.
FZ has made moves that help the team quite a bit. But restrict the flexibility he loves. Soler is an everday DH. Chapman another corner infielder.
As it currently stands their 6 IF spots are taken by Wade, Flores, Estrada, Davis, Chapman and either Luciano or Ahmed.
That is 4 corner infielders. Absent injury (which no one wants) as of today, Estrada is likely the backup SS with Flores playing second base on the days Estrada slides over or takes a day off. That is not good.
There has been some talk of Chapman playing SS. Hopes that talk ends quickly. It defeats the purpose of signing him. He’s an elite 3B. In the Brooks Robinson class.
FZ assuredly has a plan to move one if the other three corners -Wade, Flores, Davis.
Flores to me is the least likely. He is, by my reading of the tea leaves, perhaps the most respected player in that clubhouse by his teammates. And he was their best hitter last year. Further, he plays 1B, 2b and 3b. Albeit none particularly well. Wade is a possibility. But he’s had injury issues - and he’s their only LH hitting IF. The Giants are RH heavy.
Davis is the most likely to go. Although he could play first - and he is not a platoon guy. He hits lefties and righties equally well.
One problem - teams know the Giants situation. So, the return could be less. And it’s not as if any of they here, traded alone, would bring back much.
Perhaps FZ has a blockbuster - Davis, Bart, and a prospect or two for a SP or a MIF/SS But I think that is unlikely.
Whatever happens, it’s been darn interesting.