In case you missed Kruk & Kuip’s interview with Farhan Zaidi last week during the Giants-A’s Spring Training telecast, the Giants YouTube channel has helpfully put it up for you:
That interview ends with Zaidi saying he’s got Billy Beane and David Forst waiting for him in his office, which suggests that not only was he catching up with his former employers, he was also very likely talking trades. I’m still guessing this means something like a deal for Mark Canha, because he’s expensive for the A’s ($2 million contract for 2019!) and arbitration eligible, and therefore, expendable. He also has the unfortunate condition of being 30 years old, which is Baseball’s herpes.
Of course, it would be a lot better if the deal was for, like, Chad Pinder, but the Giants aren’t in a position right now to make any moves that will benefit them beyond this season — my thinking is that if the Giants were to try to trade for a player with years of control remaining, they’ll have to give up someone they crucially need in the here and now.
If the Giants’ good players can get off to a good start, then we’ll see the calculus change. In the meantime, might as well try to enter the season thinking you can compete with a rag tag bunch of castoffs and injured veterans and if you get any positive outlier performances trade them away immediately.