Can the San Francisco Giants risk it all for a seasoned middle infield bat?
For the second straight season, the SF Giants have gotten well below-average offensive production from the second base position. With Amed Rosario landing on waivers, per a team announcement, should the Giants take a flyer on the veteran bat?
Should the SF Giants take a flyer on a veteran middle infield bat?
The Giants began the year with Thairo Estrada at second base, but he has missed some time over the past couple of months with a nagging wrist injury. Both Brett Wisely and Casey Schmitt have filled in at second base in Estrada’s absence. Plus, the Giants do not seem keen on giving Marco Luciano playing time, especially in the field.
While Wisely got off to a nice start with San Francisco, his numbers have dipped considerably over the past few weeks. Overall, Giants second baseman are slashing .223/.255/.364 (73 wRC+) with a 3.2 percent walk rate, 21.2 percent strikeout rate, and a .140 ISO in 2024.
The 73 wRC+ is the sixth-worst mark in baseball. However, that position has been much worse lately with a .464 OPS in 157 plate appearances since the start of July. For an offense that has struggled at times, the addition of Rosario would be a notable offensive improvement at second base.
The eight-year veteran has appeared at a handful of positions with the Tampa Bay Rays and Dodgers this season, but second base is really the only position where he is passable. While the Giants coaching staff values versatility, there is both an offensive and defensive fit at second base.
Estrada is set to return soon, but his bat has taken a considerable step back in 2024. The right-handed hitter has tallied a .601 OPS in 346 plate appearances. So, while the team has struggled to get any meaningful offensive production at second base in his absence, it was not much better when he was healthy. It bears mentioning that Estrada is an excellent defensive second baseman.
Rosario would provide a nice boost to the team’s offense at second base. The veteran bat is slashing .305/.331/.415 (114 wRC+) with two home runs, 28 RBI, and 23 runs in 287 plate appearances. This includes a 2.8 percent walk rate, 17.4 percent strikeout rate, and a .109 ISO. Oddly, he only recorded three hits in 11 at-bats before being placed on waivers by the Dodgers.
Similar to Estrada, Rosario is not much of an on-base threat. His offensive value is tied to his batting average. If he records a lot of hits, he brings some value to the table. If not, he offers little value, especially with limited power upside.
With all that being said, the 28-year-old infielder would be more than just a marginal improvement at second base for the Giants. There are not many ways to improve the roster this late in the season, but claiming him is one of the few options available.
The Giants are middle of the pack in terms of waiver priority. And, given the fact that he is on a one-year, $1.5 million pact, cost is not much of an issue for interested teams. The Giants can sidestep the waiver line by working out a rare trade with their division rivals. This is not one of those moves that changes the outlook of a lineup, but it would materially bolster the offense at a position of need. Given the cost, it is worth the flyer.
