A Chance at Relief

[rog]

The Giants added two wildcards this week in an effort to fortify their bullpen, which is looking for depth.

In the Rule 5 Draft they chose Class A reliever Julian Fernandez, he of the 103 mph fastball.  Fernandez was said to average 100 mph on his heater, although that seems a little extreme for a pitcher who struck out 57 batters in 58 innings.

The 21-year-old pitched at a relatively low league level, but Bobby Evans said he believed Fernandez could have played at a higher level.  He'll need to play at a much higher level this season, since the Giants have to keep him in the major leagues in 2018 or offer him back to Colorado for half the $100K Rule 5 draft price.  Sometimes if the acquiring team isn't comfortable keeping the player on their major league roster but do like the player longer term, a trade is worked out.

Evans says Fernandez doesn't have much of a curve ball, but the Giants believe he has potential.  At 103 mph, Fernandez likelys throw as much as five mph faster than any pitcher in the Giants system.  A big gamble in taking a pitcher with a 3.65 career ERA in low-level leagues, but I'm not sure the Giants have ever had a guy that throws this hard.

In the Matt Moore trade the Giants picked up another reliever in 26-year-old Sam Wolff, who until 2017 had a very non-descript career.  Last season in AA and AAA, he had a bit of breakout, striking out 59 in 43 innings and posting a 2.93 ERA.

Both pitchers are right-handers, and each adds depth, although possibly only at the minor league level in the coming season.  Wolff will likely get a shot at some point during the season.

The Giants are hoping that in Wolff they picked up a pitcher coming into his own and in Fernandez a 100 mph reliever who is on the verge of doing so.  Nice gamble with Fernandez, who needs to master both a second pitch and his control, and a solid if unspectacular move in picking up Wolff, who would seem to personify depth with modest potential.

The Giants also added 20-year-old right-hander Israel Cruz in the Moore trade.  Cruz has pitched no higher than rookie ball, but he has pitched eight games of relief in the Venezualen Winter League, whose season ends tomorrow.  Twenty-four of Cruz's minor league appearances have come as a starter.

[rog]

So what do the Giants need now?

With Wolff they've slightly reduced their need for bullpen depth. With the trade of Moore, they've opened up their #4 starter slot in addition to the #5 spot already open. At the moment Chris Stratton, Ty Blach, Tyler Beede and Andrew Suarez would compete for those two spots. Suarez was the Giants' top starter at Sacramento last season.

Still open are all three outfield spots and third base. That the Giants were willing to trade Pence if necessary is further indication the Giants are serious about adding a right fielder, several of whom are or might be available. They have already expressed significant interest in shoring up their center field defense, with Billy Hamilton being the name most mentioned.

The Giants have talked of a platoon of Denard Span and Hunter Pence in left field, but their willingness to deal Pence indicates they're still looking in left field too.

Top prospect Christian Arroyo is the hoped-for third baseman, with Pablo Sandoval and Ryder Jones in reserve. Arroyo wasn't ready early last season, and he's been mostly injured ever since.

With one more hole added, this time in the rotation, and in theory only $9 million to spend -- up from zero -- the Giants still have an huge need for presents under the tree, but at least they have a tiny bit of breathing room (money) now.

By itself, the Moore move is unspectacularly unspectacular. One can rest assured that it is only a start.

Yesterday we were complaining about the Giants' lack of moves. Now we can see them coming.

[rxmeister]

Wouldn’t count on Woolf too soon, Rob. He’s injured and expected to miss the first half of 2018. I would expect him to spend the rest of the year in the minors with perhaps a September callup if he looks good. Hold on from ordering those wolf hats to go with your panda and giraffe merchandise till 2019!

[klaiggeb]

I like the fact we're re stocking the minors with arms; which we need.

If we aren't going to make some demonstrative moves to win THIS YEAR, I want the moves we do make, to be moves that put us into a position to win for MANY years. And this, IMHO, is a move in the right direction; for the future.

boly

[rog]

If the Giants aren't going to make some demonstrative moves to win THIS YEAR, I want the moves we do make, to be moves that put us into a position to win for MANY years. And this, IMHO, is a move in the right direction; for the future.


Rog -- It is my opinion that the Giants can't this off-season make themselves competitive now or in the future without exceeding the luxury tax threshold. (I think I'll just call it the cap from now on. It's easier.)

To me it appears the Giants may be working toward taking advantage of next year's possible crop of free agents, which could be among the best ever. If they can avoid going over the cap this season, they will pay far less tax next year if they go over the cap. So while it appears staying under the cap this off-season is a cheap thing, it may lead to increased spending next off-season, when there may be more opportunity available.

I think the Giants felt they would spend heavily a year early if they could land a prize like Giancarlo Stanton.

As I'll discuss later, even the Dodgers are working hard to get below the cap.

If they have a plan, letting Moore go was a fine move. Adding the two prospects was icing on the cake.

[rog]

Thank you for the heads up on Wolff (a great last name), Mark. I'm not sure how you do it, but you often seem to come up with news the rest of us may not have seen.