UPDATE: The Giants are also actively exploring trades, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.
"Yes, Yoenis Cespedes fits what the Giants need. He's expensive, of course, but at least he wouldn't cost a draft pick. Meanwhile, the Giants also are speaking with the Colorado Rockies about their available outfielders.
"Rockies GM Jeff Bridich appears willing to trade within the division, as long as he gets the pitching he desperately needs. That said, it's hard to imagine he wants to trade Carlos Gonzalez -- an MVP talent when healthy -- to a National League West rival."
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The San Francisco Giants have spent $220 million on starting pitching this offseason, but they still have a vacancy in left field. Rumors linked them to number of high-profile outfielders still available in free agency, but they might be shying away from such an expenditure.
Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton are two true left fielders that have been considered as top options for the Giants because the team has some room left in the payroll before hitting the luxury tax threshold. Additionally, the team has over $50 million coming off the books after next season.
However, a report from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal on Wednesday suggests San Francisco is perhaps done inking players to long-term lucrative contracts for now.
"The Giants are considering all options for their outfield opening, but for the moment they seem more likely to make a trade or sign a lesser free agent than spend on a big-ticket item such as Cespedes or Upton," he writes.
Instead, some second-tier options could be of more interest to them.
"Free agents Gerardo Parra and [Dexter] Fowler are among the possibilities, sources say."
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports alluded to a similar scenario late last week.
"The Giants are carefully monitoring the outfield market and could still be a big player for one of the big stars out there, though with a $150 million deal said to be very unlikely, they may look to a second-tier free agent or maybe a trade."
Parra and Fowler are projected to be considerably cheaper than Cespedes and Upton - both of whom are expected to sign deals in excess of $120 million. Many experts predict Parra could get a contract in the $40-$50 million range while Fowler could fetch one up to $60 million. Both are more than likely in the market for four-year deals as well.
Signing Parra wouldn't require the Giants to adjust their MLB roster because he can slip into left field since he has experience playing all three outfield positions. However, Fowler is a center fielder and Rosenthal indicates if he were to sign with San Francisco, the team may have to consider trading Angel Pagan, unless Fowler was comfortable playing left for one season before Pagan hits free agency (Pagan hasn't played another outfield position since 2010).
Then again, the market for outfielders is undefined and surprisingly didn't materialize after Jason Heyward signed his eight-year $184 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. San Francisco could just be waiting to strike if the prices of Cespedes and Upton begin to drop as the offseason progresses.
But right now it doesn't appear as if they're willing to add another mammoth contract, so be sure to keep track of their endeavors among the cheaper free agents.
