The San Francisco Giants have assembled themselves a power-hitting lineup with the likes of Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, and Matt Chapman, but they don’t have the contact to make it worth it. One of the things they need to explore this offseason is finding a leadoff hitter that swings for contact.
Fansided’s Zachary Rotman predicts the Giants will find that man through trade, and deal for St. Louis Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan. He’s a great contact hitter with good speed, and has an amazing glove as well.
“Donovan, a 29-year-old who can play all over the diamond, is a fit for many teams, but the San Francisco Giants make almost too much sense. Not only do they lack an established leadoff hitter in front of Rafael Devers, Willy Adames and Matt Chapman, but they also have clear needs at second base and in their corner outfield. Donovan can fill either one of those holes and do so at an extremely high level. He won’t come cheap, but if the Giants are serious about making a playoff push, making a deal for Donovan, one of the best position players available, feels like a must,” Rotman wrote.
This past season, Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422/.775 with 32 doubles, 10 home runs, and 64 RBI in 118 games played. He would be an upgrade defensively wherever they put him as well, as he brings a Gold Glove to the table as a utility man.
MORE: Yankees predicted to pivot after whiffing on Freddy Peralta, trade for $3 million All-Star ace
Donovan also just signed a contract to avoid arbitration for one-year, $5.8 million, and still has a year left of team control. This gives the Giants the ability to go for one more big fish, either through trade or free agency if they please.
Overall, this would be a solid move by San Francisco. Hopefully, they realize that and get to work on a trade before another contender swoops in.
MORE MLB NEWS
Mariners predicted to trade for $5.8 million All-Star, Gold Glove to finally replace Jorge Polanco
