San Francisco Giants: Reacting to the team’s latest Winter Meetings deals

The San Francisco Giants have announced multiple moves to officially jump in on the Winter Meetings fun trading for Zack Cozart and signing Kevin Gausman.

The San Francisco Giants have officially gotten into the transaction scene at the 2019 Winter Meetings, signing former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Kevin Gausman to a one year, $9 million contract and trading for Los Angeles Angels infielder Zack Cozart and shortstop prospect Will Wilson.

Looking at Gausman, the right-hander will look to recover from a rough 2019 season that saw him play for both the Atlanta Braves and Reds.

More from San Francisco Giants

• Thank you SF Giants for a fun, wild, surprising 2020 season
• SF Giants lose in heartbreaking fashion and miss 2020 MLB playoffs
• SF Giants: Mike Yastrzemski named 2020 Willie Mac Award recipient
• SF Giants: Chadwick Tromp placed on IL with shoulder strain
• SF Giants: Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners postponed

Gausman did not fare well in 2019 after starting the year with Atlanta and being claimed off waivers by the Reds in August, he posted a 5.72 ERA in 102.1 innings on the season.

As of right now, there are a lot of questions in the air regarding the Giants starting rotation for 2020 so Gausman will look to come in and help to answer some of those questions as he will try to earn a rotation spot.

While his ERA certainly doesn’t turn any heads, the Giants’ new-look coaching staff is likely looking at Gausman’s 25.3 strikeout rate and 7.1 walk rate as hope for a bounceback season, especially at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

The more impressive deal of the day comes by way of the trade with the Angels.

Cozart’s contract is one that the Angels will be happy to get rid of, now taking $12 million a year off the books and giving themselves some flexibility to go after big-name free agents like pitcher Gerrit Cole or third baseman Anthony Rendon.

The 2019 season was cut short for Cozart due to issues with his left shoulder, which limited him to just 97 at-bats. In those at-bats, Cozart put up an abysmal .124 batting average while only driving in seven RBIs.

In addition to what was a forgettable 2019 season, Cozart will also bring over his three-year, $38 million contracts to the Giants payroll.

However, the Giants will gladly take on Cozart’s roughly $24 million owed over the next two years because the Angels gave them a formidable prospect in return.

After being taken 15th overall by the Angels in this year’s draft, Wilson was the Angels No. 4 ranked prospect according to MLB.com. He’ll now be the 10th ranked prospect in the Giants’ system.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

In 2019, Wilson put up a .275 batting average in 189 at-bats while driving in 18 RBIs in short-A baseball. Wilson is known for having quick hands and enough strength to produce above-average power, which is what helped him to produce five home runs last season.

With the Giants in rebuild mode for the next few years, they can afford to eat up Cozart’s salary and get whatever production they receive from him while letting Wilson develop into a potential impact player down in the minors.

According to MLB.com, Wilson’s estimated arrival to the majors would come in 2022, which would be just a year after Cozart’s contract will expire. The acquisition of Wilson is another move in a series of many that has helped to revitalize the Giants farm system.

In terms of the 2020 season, Cozart will likely share playing time with second baseman Mauricio Dubon as he continues to develop into an everyday player for San Franciso while also being someone the Giants can use to give starting shortstop Brandon Crawford some rest.

The San Francisco Giants’ moves on Tuesday may not excite fans very much, but given that the rebuild mentality has taken over the front office, these are moves that they’ll have to get accustomed to seeing.