Did the SF Giants make a mistake moving on from Jason Vosler?

Former SF Giants infielder Jason Vosler is turning heads early this season with the Cincinnati Reds. Vosler has hit homers in three straight games and has a more than healthy .333/.333/1.133 triple-slash early in this young season. Vosler spent the past two years in the Giants organization, but San Francisco moved on from him this offseason. Is that a decision they are going to regret?

Three straight games with a homer for Jason Vosler! pic.twitter.com/cDgD5lUoyW
— MLB (@MLB) April 4, 2023

The corner infielder, who the Giants also experimented with at second base, shortstop, and even left field, signed a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners this offseason, before being released by the team several days later. Not long after that, the Reds inked him to a minor league deal that included an invitation to big-league spring training. After hitting .263/.341/.526 this spring with the Reds, Vosler's contract was selected and added to the Opening Day roster.

In 2022, Vosler split his time between the Giants and their Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento. In his 36 big-league games, he tallied six doubles, a triple, and four home runs, hitting .265/.342/.469. But with the Triple-A River Cats, he struggled at the plate, hitting .242/.311/.433, and giving the Giants pause about his ability to produce consistently at the major league level.

The Giants first signed Vosler to a big-league contract ahead of their historical 2021 season. A career minor leaguer up to that point, having spent six seasons in the Cubs' and Padres' farm systems, he had yet to make his major league debut, struggling to get an opportunity as a primary third baseman stuck behind Kris Bryant and Manny Machado.

As they often do with players, the Giants pushed Vosler to improve his defensive versatility, and he held his own at second and first base. He had a solid .228/.306/.421 triple-slash with 10 doubles and seven home runs in 193 plate appearances with the Giants from 2021-22. But despite that solid line, the Giants designated him for assignment late last year.

In his place, the Giants prioritized adding left-handed hitting infielders who were more dynamic defensively and had minor-league options remaining, like Isan Díaz and Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect). Looking at the current big-league roster, retaining Vosler would have forced the Giants to carry one fewer pitcher, or move on from LaMonte Wade Jr. or Blake Sabol (Giants #33 prospect).

Wade has yet to hit an extra-base hit this season, but has been getting on base at an exceptional clip, maintaining a .500 on-base percentage. Sabol, on the other hand, has been passable at catcher defensively and had a breakout performance at the plate on Thursday.

It's too early to tell if the SF Giants will regret moving on from Jason Vosler. However, the Reds first baseman is making his latest big-league opportunity count. If he does develop into an excellent big leaguer, it will only put more pressure on players like Wade Jr. and Sabol, who the front office prioritized over him.