Report: SF Giants had a trade fall through on Opening Day
The SF Giants surprised many when they left outfielder Bryce Johnson off the Opening Day roster, opting to add infielder Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) in his place. The decision seemed even more perplexing when they optioned Wisely to clear a roster spot for Johnson before the second game of the season. However, a report by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area offered some clarity to the Giants decisions.
SF Giants outfielder Bryce Johnson taking a swing. (2022)
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
"The second issue had to do with a second trade that ultimately didn't go through," Pavlovic wrote. "The Giants.. were trying to acquire a player who would have gone on the 40-man. When that deal fell through, they were able to give the spot to Johnson, who was outrighted in the offseason but now is back and expected to play a role in the outfield, where he's the Giants' best defender and baserunner."
The Giants did make one trade on Opening Day, acquiring first baseman/outfielder Matt Beaty from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. Beaty has an option remaining, allowing him to be sent to the minor leagues without having to be designated for assignment and exposed to waivers. Given Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi's preference for roster flexibility, he may have been eyeing another player who could also be optioned.
By leaving Johnson off the roster, it suggests the Giants may have been close to acquiring another outfielder capable of center field. Given the Yankees recent decision to designate former top prospect Estevan Florial for assignment, it's worth wondering if the Giants were close to a deal to acquire him from New York. Whether or not that's the case, San Francisco should still try to add Florial off waivers.
Two other outfielders were traded before Opening Day. The A's traded defensive wizard (and former top-100 prospect) Cristian Pache to the Phillies. Pache is an elite defensive center fielder who has struggled at the plate throughout his career. While that would have obviously addressed a Giants weakness, Pache is also a drastically different player than the Giants have targetted with Zaidi.
The other player traded was second baseman and corner outfielder Nick Solak. Solak, a former prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, checks a lot of the boxes the Giants have tended to target. Solak has always crushed upper minors pitching and has a middling, but passable, .252/.327/.372 triple-slash in 974 big-league plate appearances. Solak has always avoided strikeouts as well.
Regardless of who the SF Giants were on the verge of acquiring, the trade fell through before it could be finalized. While it may have prevented the Giants from acquiring an intriguing player, it also gave them the roster flexibility to reward outfielder Bryce Johnson for an excellent spring training.
