The San Francisco Giants made an interesting move in MLB free agency that has their rivals excited. After a disappointing 2024 season, the Giants have made changes in the front office and are determined to improve this offseason. Led by President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, the team has made a stealthy move that could have a significant impact on Posey’s position. They signed former Angels catcher Max Stassi to a minor league contract, causing excitement in the baseball world.
A 10-year veteran of the Major Leagues, Stassi spent the first six years of his career with the Houston Astros before being traded to the Angels midway through the 2019 season. He was the Angels’ primary catcher in his final two seasons there. However, injuries and personal matters limited his playing time to just five rehabilitation games over the last two years. Despite these challenges, Stassi posted an impressive 2.9 fWAR in 87 games in 2021.
The Giants hope to get a healthy Stassi behind the plate for their major league team in the near future. With Stassi’s experience and potential, he could compete for the backup catcher role on the Giants’ roster. However, he is unlikely to replace Patrick Bailey, the 25-year-old Gold Glove winner who currently holds the starting catcher position. Curt Casali, who played 41 games as a catcher for the Giants, is a free agent, giving Stassi a chance to prove himself.
While the Giants have made this strategic move to bolster their catching options, there are still other areas they need to address. The team made a splash during the season by signing third baseman Matt Chapman to a one-year contract, which proved to be a success. Chapman’s performance attracted interest from players who now have a desire to join the Giants. However, their own player, Blake Snell, decided to opt out of his contract after a solid year and thus became a free agent.
Despite the Giants’ activity in free agency, they have not yet targeted star outfielder Juan Soto. Five teams, including their rivals the Dodgers, have made offers for Soto, but the Giants have not sent any signals yet. It appears the team is focused on making smaller, strategic additions to complement their existing contracts with players like Chapman, Jung-hoo Lee and Logan Webb.
In conclusion, the Giants’ secret move to secure former Angels catcher Max Stassi has caused excitement among their rivals. With Stassi’s potential and experience, he could provide valuable depth for the Giants’ catching position. As the team continues to make improvements and explore other options in free agency, their strategic approach could lead to a successful offseason.
