Giants use Meetings to gather information
Club doesn't make any acquisitions in Nashville, but moves could come in future
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Giants obtained nothing but knowledge during the Winter Meetings. For them, that was as useful an addition as any player.
As the Meetings concluded Thursday, Giants general manager Bobby Evans acknowledged that the parameters for engineering free-agent deals or trades became more defined as the week at the Opryland Hotel progressed.
"There's a lot of information that's been exchanged here that'll give us a pretty good sense of what our options would be," Evans said.
:: Winter Meetings highlights ::
Evans indicated that the Giants hadn't issued concrete offers to any starting pitchers or outfielders, two areas they're seeking to upgrade, but the club would be poised to act quickly if the time came to intensify the bidding for a free agent.
"Our timing is not, per se, urgent. We want to be opportunistic," he said.
The Giants declined to escalate the bidding for outfielder Jason Heyward, one of the most prominent remaining free agents who was rumored to be ready to select a team. The Giants believed that staying in the thick of the Heyward market would require submitting a lucrative, stunning proposal.
But if Heyward's suitors were to drop out, the Giants could be ready to capitalize.
"I don't want to rule out Heyward," Evans said.
The progress of the holiday season could assist San Francisco's player-acquisition efforts.
"A lot of players like to get into Christmas knowing where they're going," Evans said.
Evans reiterated that with a full complement of starting pitchers and close to a complete contingent of position players, the Giants felt no urgency to make deals simply to add bodies to the roster. But he affirmed that the Giants, who have signed Jeff Samardzija this offseason, will be proactive in trying to improve the club. The National League West appears to be as balanced and competitive as ever, particularly with the D-backs adding formidable right-handers Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller to their starting rotation.
• Shark, Giants finalize deal; introduction Friday
"There's a really good core within each club -- that makes our work that much more challenging -- to make sure that we are putting ourselves in the best position to compete in our division," Evans said.
Video: Giants are exploring free-agent market for starters
Deals done
None. Evans expressed belief that the Giants could afford to be patient, given the depth of talent available in free agency and on the trade market.
Rule 5
The Blue Jays plucked right-hander Joe Biagini from the ranks of San Francisco's unprotected pitchers in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. Biagini, 25, finished 10-7 with a 2.42 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) for the Giants' Double-A Richmond affiliate this year.
Goals accomplished
None, unless -- as the Giants always have -- you count setting the stage for future deals as an accomplishment.
Unfinished business
Everything. The Giants hope to upgrade their starting rotation by adding a proven pitcher -- free agent Mike Leake remains a strong possibility -- and intend to add a left fielder who ideally has the aptitude to play center field in case injuries again strike Angel Pagan.
GM's bottom line
"It gets a lot of information teed up as to where you're headed." -- Evans, defining the value of the conversations conducted during the Meetings.