KNBR
SAN DIEGO — Let the blockbusters, signings, whispers, rumblings and perhaps overhyping begin.
The Giants’ brain trust of president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and general manager Scott Harris arrived at the Winter Meetings on Monday morning, quickly heading toward their suite in the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which the front office will turn into a war room. Until Thursday afternoon, all 30 MLB teams will be talking transactions during an offseason that already has seen more early action than frozen free-agent markets of the past few years.
The Giants’ wish list includes a catcher to complement Buster Posey, a lefty infielder who can play second and third base and a power-hitting corner outfielder. They also should be after just about any pitcher, as they lack an established closer, and three-fifths of the rotation is up for grabs.
The starting-pitcher market has been active and expensive thus far, headed by Zack Wheeler’s $118 million deal with the Phillies. Madison Bumgarner is in the tier right below, and the Giants have said they’re in contact with their lefty legend’s representatives.
The Winter Meetings have flopped the last few years, as the annual event to gin up interest and make transactions happen has been more buildup and less payoff. This offseason’s script gives hope there will be more movement, with San Francisco open to just about anything, as Zaidi is less hamstrung by weighty contracts than he was last year. But his early moves have suggested the Giants are still trying to improve incrementally rather than begin making a push to compete in 2020.
Regardless, the Giants will make some news this week. The team is expected to announce its coaching staff under Gabe Kapler on Tuesday. Already a few leaks have emerged: Cincinnati’s Donnie Ecker reportedly will be hitting coach, and Arizona State pitching coach Jason Kelly reportedly is a strong candidate to take the same job at the big-league level. The only confirmed coach on first-year manager Kapler’s staff is returning third-base coach Ron Wotus.