
The Giants have made starting pitching a slight priority. Evans said Wednesday night that there’s “a little more of a lean” toward adding a starter first and then filling left field. That’s something Bruce Bochy is said to be pushing, knowing you can never have too much starting pitching.
Asked specifically about Mike Leake, Evans said, “There’s mutual interest, but the timing may not favor us.” The Giants are going to be patient, waiting to see what shakes loose as other deals start happening. They have their big addition in Jeff Samardzija and they feel that the remaining big names are mostly pretty similar at similar price points.
“There are attainable options for us,” Evans said. “Part of the challenge is there are so many different options right now and you’re looking for separators. There’s a talent pool that’s very similar. I think that given the similarities, I’d like to see some separation.”
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As for trades, I hear that’s something the Giants are still actively pursuing, but it’s a seller’s market right now. The prices — as displayed by the Diamondbacks trade and the asking price on Jose Fernandez — are insane. Word is the Braves weren't necessarily set on dealing Shelby Miller, but they got bowled over. Other teams like the Marlins and Indians are looking for the same lopsided deals.
The Giants don’t want to overwhelm. They’re not going to deal Matt Duffy, Joe Panik and prospects just to add a big-name pitcher.
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--- How about an All-Star outfielder? The Giants have talked to the Rockies about Carlos Gonzalez in the past, and there's a sense that Colorado wouldn’t be opposed to trading him within the division. But, any deal would have to be prospect-driven. It’s a long shot, but if the Rockies decide that they want minor league pitching and maybe a position player like Christian Arroyo, the Giants could hang with others.
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--- Ryan Vogelsong talked candidly at the end of the season about how he knew his time in San Francisco was over. Said Evans, “It’s hard to lose some of the guys you like the most, but you have to sometimes let them pursue opportunities that are better for them, and I think that might be the case here.”
So you can cross that reunion off the list. Ditto with Yusmeiro Petit, who reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Nationals on Wednesday. They know better than anyone just how valuable Petit can be to a bullpen.