San Francisco Giants Followed Familiar Pattern This Offseason

The San Francisco Giants didn’t win this offseason. They didn’t make a big signing that would put them over the top to make them the favorites to win a World Series. But they’ve won three World Series in the past half-decade, and they were the underdog in each of those opportunities. The Giants don’t make big splashes in free agency. They haven’t done that in a long time. They continued that pattern during this past offseason.

San Francisco’s front office wasn’t shy during free agency. Their name was linked with a number of big name players. They were hot on the trail of Jon Lester, but their advanced were spurned in favor of the Chicago Cubs. The Cubbies had a leg up on the Giants, as Lester had previously worked with the Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein in Boston.

Speaking of Boston, Giants’ star third baseman Pablo Sandoval broke fans’ hearts when he signed with the Red Sox. The Giants really had no chance of re-signing their lovable free-swinger, as he was dead set on taking on “new challenges.” San Francisco was also in on ace right-hander James Shields, but they eventually backed out, opting to spend their money a little more wisely.

Instead of seeking new pitchers, the Giants chose to keep their band together. They re-signed Ryan Vogelsong to a one-year deal, keeping him in the Bay Area. Despite having a contract nearly signed with the Houston Astros, Vogelsong chose to return to the team that gave him a major league opportunity four years ago.

Aug 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher

(43) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Peavy was also re-signed to a two-year deal after being a deadline acquisition in 2014. He solidified a rotation that was barely keeping its head above water, and played a big part in the team making it into the playoffs, and further.

The Giants also kept Sergio Romo around, as he was also re-signed to a two-year contract. Romo has been a linchpin in the bullpen since his debut in 2008, and despite a rough stretch in May and June last year, he’s still a high-quality setup man.

Offensively, the Giants brought in some new faces. They were mentioned in the same sentence as Chase Headley on a ton of occasions, but the team was not going hard for him. Instead, they swung a deal with the Miami Marlins for Casey McGehee to fill the extra-large void left by Sandoval.

To acquire McGehee, the Giants only surrendered a pair of low-level minor league pitchers, neither of which were regarded as top prospects. After a settlement to avoid arbitration, McGehee is slated to make $4.8 million in 2015 before becoming a free agent. Headley signed a four-year deal with the New York Yankees, worth $52 million in total, and $13 million annually.

In comparison, the Giants secured McGehee for a steal, as he will be worth more than $8 million less than Headley in 2015, and if he stinks, there’s no long-term commitment. This past season, McGehee played in more games than Headey, hit for a better average and on-base percentage, with more RBI and doubles. McGehee struck out less (14.7% of his plate appearances) than Headley (22.9%), and played better defense (.979 fielding percentage to .974). By all accounts, McGehee is a much better deal.

San Francisco also signed Nori Aoki as a free agent, with the hopes of putting him in left field for the majority of the season. Aoki agreed to a one-year deal for $4 million, with a vesting option for 2016. Relative to other free agent outfielders, Aoki was also a bargain. Nick Markakis and Alex Rios will each earn $11 million in 2015.

Both of the newcomers fit perfectly with the Giants’ mold. Aoki and McGehee are both contact hitters who will keep the line moving, work counts, and use all sides of the field. Aoki is one of the best contact hitters in baseball, as his career strikeout rate is 7.9%.

Look back at some of the free agent signings the Giants have made over the past five years that have propelled them to their championships, and you can start to see the trend.

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Before the 2010 season, the team brought in veteran Aubrey Huff to play first base on a one-year, $3 million contract. For basically chump change in the baseball world, Huff solidified a lineup with very little firepower previously. He rewarded the Giants’ investment by leading the team with 26 home runs, 86 RBI, and 100 runs scored, to go along with his .290 average and 35 doubles in 2010.

Early in 2010, the Tampa Bay Rays released Pat Burrell after an atrocious start. San Francisco brought him in on a minor league deal, with the Rays eating his salary. Burrell played in 96 games with the Giants, and hit 16 doubles and 18 home runs to add more pop to the middle of an anemic lineup.

In late-August of 2010, the Giants claimed Cody Ross off waivers from the Marlins. Ross was a postseason hero, as he won the NLCS MVP Award by hitting .350 with three home runs and five RBI. He added two other long balls throughout the playoffs as well. Without him, the Giants may not raise the Commissioner’s Trophy that year.

Prior to 2011, the Giants signed Vogelsong, a 33-year-old hadn’t pitched in the big leagues in five years, to a minor league deal. The team’s faith was rewarded with an All-Star performance that year, as Vogelsong went 13-7 with a 2.71 ERA while becoming the best fifth starter in baseball.

Before 2013, Chad Gaudin was signed to a minor league deal, and he ended up throwing his best ball. Gaudin finished with a 5-2 record with a 3.02 ERA and 1.247 WHIP, both the lowest totals of his career.

Oct 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pinch hitter

(38) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the eighth inning of game five of the 2014 NLCS playoff at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

2014 was another example of the Giants playing it smart. Tim Hudson was brought in on a two-year deal worth $23 million, and he pitched well for the team that won him his first World Series ring. He struggled in the second half of the year, but was dealing with ankle and hip issues. He was worth the money in the first year.

Michael Morse signed a one-year, $6 million contract, and he added a lot of pop in the middle of the lineup. He hit .279 with 16 home runs and 32 doubles, including one gigantic, game-tying home run during game five of the NLCS.

Juan Gutierrez signed a minor league deal, and appeared in 61 games with a 3.96 ERA. Brandon Hicks agreed to the same kind of deal, and he played a big hand in the offense over the first two months of the season before his eventual demotion.

All those signings don’t include the trades the Giants have swung. The team has acquired Hunter Pence, Marco Scutaro, Javier Lopez, Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera, among others, all without relinquishing an overwhelming amount in return.

San Francisco has been burned by big contracts in recent years. Barry Zito became the richest pitcher in baseball history when he signed a seven-year, $126 million deal. He never lived up to that deal, as evidenced by his 63-80 record with a 4.62 ERA and 1.439 WHIP in seven seasons with the Giants.

Aaron Rowand is another example of a Giants’ giant bust. For five years and $60 million, the team saw him hit .253 with 150 extra-base hits in four seasons. There’s also Armando Benitez, Mark DeRosa, the list goes on and on.

The Giants are a smart team, led by smart men. As long as Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy are calling the shots, the team will always have a chance, even without the big-market free agents.