The Tampa Bay Rays are remaining active this offseason. On Monday the team traded utilityman Sean Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named and cash. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, the Giants are meeting with free-agent pitcher Jon Lester today.
Rodriguez, 29, has spent the past five seasons with the Rays and has played every outfield position, first base, second base, shortstop and third base. His versatility in the field is what likely attracted the Pirates, who will head in 2015 with Pedro Alvarez as their starting first baseman. Alvarez has little experience at first after playing most of his career at third base.
Pittsburgh could opt to use Rodriguez a lot in the infield since Alvarez and Josh Harrison will have new long-term positions in 2015, but it's also a strong possibility he'll be used in the outfield. In 2014 the Pirates were hampered with outfield issues, including injuries to Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte as well as the demotion of Gregory Polanco. Harrison was able to fill in when problems arose, but he'll spend 2015 at third base and the team probably wants to keep him there for stability. McCutchen missed a few weeks late in the season, Marte missed 27 games and Polanco played in only 89 games. The emergence of Travis Snider has helped, but having a guy like Rodriguez is good insurance.
The seven-year veteran is slashing .225/.297/.372 for his career with 207 runs scored, 45 home runs, 186 RBIs and 35 stolen bases. With this acquisition, the Pirates designated first baseman Gaby Sanchez for assignment as he remains arbitration-eligible.
On the West Coast, the San Francisco Giants will be meeting with Jon Lester today as they look to spend the $95 million left behind by third baseman Pablo Sandoval. The Chicago Cubs reportedly offered Lester a six-year deal worth over $135 million, so the bidding might get serious between the interested teams (Giants, Cubs, Red Sox and Braves). San Francisco is seemingly changing their offseason plans after losing Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox last week.
Although they're already locked in to pay $127 million for the 2015 payroll, the Giants could afford to give Lester a big deal because (as of right now) the 2016 and 2017 payrolls ($87 million and $73 million) are much lower. Additionally, their starting rotation faces some issues with Matt Cain coming off elbow surgery, Tim Hudson "likely retiring" after 2015 and Tim Lincecum becoming a free agent after 2015 (coupled with his declining performance).
Might we see Jon Lester join the San Francisco Giants next season?
