San Francisco Giants: Longoria Shores Up Infield, Outfield Still Undecided

The San Francisco Giants trade for Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays to provide a potent infield but the long-term solutions remain in limbo.

San Francisco Giants acquired Evan Longoria from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Denard Span, Christian Arroyo, and prospects.

No doubt, the San Francisco Giants had to make a move after a horrendous 2017 campaign. Giancarlo Stanton could have been a significant haul for the Giants, but the step was never going to come to fruition.

For Stanton, he controlled his destiny with a no-trade clause and unlikely would want to wear the orange and black. Stanton preferred San Francisco’s rival, Los Angeles, but wound up donning the pinstripes of the New York Yankees.

San Francisco Giants /

San Francisco Giants

If Stanton didn’t carry a no-trade clause from his monster deal with Miami though, a trade to San Francisco would have likely occurred.

In the past, Giants’ management stays away from making significant acquisitions — a fact that draws the ire of the team’s supporters. The most recent moves came in 2016 with starting pitchers Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija.

Both had seasons to forget about, with Cueto being injured, and Samardzija having up and down starts.

Payroll is one area management keeps in mind, as going over the salary cap results in paying luxury taxes. Given the “even-year” magic, which produced three championships, San Francisco is back to the drawing board.

The Giants undoubtedly gave up a big piece of the future though, when they sent Arroyo to the Rays. Arroyo made an impressive debut on his call-up, hitting his first career home run against the Dodgers — a game in which the Giants ultimately prevailed.

But like most rookies, Arroyo sometimes appeared lost at the plate, going into a slump and was sent back to Sacramento. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury upon his return and missed the rest of the year.

Returning to Florida will be a homecoming for Arroyo, where he grew up and played baseball. Drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Arroyo initially had a scholarship to play at the University of Florida. He decided to turn pro though, and signed with the Giants instead.

Span is also returning home, given that he also grew up in Florida. He is in the final year of his current three-year deal. His contract offsets the money about to be absorbed after acquiring Longoria.

Matt Krook and Stephen Woods are the two prospects going to Tampa. Krook went to St. Ignatius High School and played collegiately at the University of Oregon. Before going to the Ducks, the Marlins drafted Krook in 2013, but chose to play in college. The Giants selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.

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With Longoria, another gold glove defenseman joins a talented group of infielders led by Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik. Longoria also provides some power to the lineup, having hit 20-plus home runs each year, since 2013.

Age is a significant risk for the Giants as Longoria is 32-years-old. While he projects to be the everyday third baseman, his production at the plate will come under scrutiny.

He will not be the only player under scrutiny though, as the whole team will face questions after finishing at the bottom of the Majors in run production last season.

Issues remain with the Giants’ outfield, as to who will get inserted. Andrew McCutchen has been rumored to be an option in the past and would indeed provide stability. With the Longoria trade though, a deal is unlikely as the Giants will likely look for answers internally, for salary-saving costs.

Hunter Pence’s health is a lingering story, but his presence in the Giants’ clubhouse provides the team with a lot of positive energy. Without a healthy Pence, the Giants are a different team.

Austin Slater will likely get a chance in Spring Training to secure a spot on the roster. The former Stanford product made an impact in his call-up, before injuries derailed his time in San Francisco.

Pitchers in the bullpen are the final piece concerning the Giants. Last week, Matt Moore was traded to Texas, which created an opening in the starting rotation. If healthy, Tyler Beede is a lock, but he must deliver a solid camp.

Overall, the Longoria trade addresses a small issue with the Giants without providing a long-term solution. San Francisco’s farm system is lean on talent, without a lot on the cusp of taking a step to the big leagues. Management is still in limbo regarding the salary cap and does not address future relief of upcoming deals.

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Questions remain, despite a good move that perhaps allows them to boast the best infield, defensively, in the majors next season. But pitchers and outfielders are undecided, and those two areas will decide how competitive the Giants can be next season.

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