The San Francisco Giants knew the roster needed an overhaul when they poached Farhan Zaidi from the Dodgers' front office to become the teams new President of Baseball Operations.
So far the snail-paced and rumor-filled offseason has brought news of minor league deals, waiver acquisitions and minimal additions or trades for San Francisco-a strategy set forth by Zaidi.
Zaidi's goal, to reduce the league's sixth-highest payroll by any means, sign veterans to small, one-year contracts in order to put San Francisco in a position to load up on prospects, took a slight turn this past week.
Randy Miller, of the New Jersey Advanced Media, first reported Wednesday that the Giants are making a "late play" for free agent Bryce Harper. The late play soon became a meeting between Harper and the Giants in Las Vegas first reported by John Heyman.
San Francisco has now entered full recruitment mode.
San Francisco's Zaidi made sure to state both parties interest is mutual with former MVP Buster Posey chiming in calling for the Giants to "sign him up." Posey also praised the Giants "win-now" mentality and is actively tweeting hoping to catch Harper's eye.
Pushing back against Harper signing with the Phillies, Posey has been the biggest ambassador for Harper to join him in the orange and black of San Francisco
The Giants have not necessarily backed up Posey's words this offseason. Zaidi has kicked the tires on trading ace Madison Bumgarner for prospects. Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, both owed a combined $102.6 million over the next three seasons, have been in discussions regarding a bad contract for bad contract type of trade.
The Giants have shown the willingness to make moves, but not the splash move Posey and Giants' fans want. San Francisco resigned starter Derek Holland to a one year deal worth $7 million. Holland fills the mold of a 'Zaidi-type' player. Harper does not.
Despite what Posey wants, the Giants are rebuilding, or in sweeter terms, retooling. The team has already shopped its massive contracts and even floated around the idea of moving Joe Panik.
Is Harper in the Giants' retooling efforts? If so, Harper would be the biggest free agent to join San Francisco since Barry Bonds signed in 1993.
Rumors of Harper signing with the Giants started flooding Twitter early Saturday morning testifying to how well the meeting between the two parties went. No signing has been announced so far nor is one expected by end of the weekend, but Zaidi's words should give Giants' fans hope.
"We're kind of taking these individual baseball decisions one by one," Zaidi said. "There are circumstances that you might be more flexible for and circumstances that more have to fall within the broader framework that you've set out for. Anytime you're talking about making a major addition that's going to be a significant financial commitment, you may have to rework your plan a little, but we're not operating with hard and fast rules. I've been told that we just need to make good baseball decisions."
Zaidi would not admit to offering Harper a formal contract, but the club does have the funds to accommodate the left-handed sluggers.
Sitting $30 million under the luxury tax threshold, San Francisco can easily give Harper his desired record-breaking deal of over $330 million. If San Francisco was to move a contract like the rumored Cueto or Samardzija, the Giants would leverage the market heavily in their favor for a player with a history of loving the city.
Harper has a long history of playing at Oracle Park (formerly known as AT&T). The Giants smartly designated Harper's former sparring mate Hunter Strickland for assignment to which he also verbally feuded with in the 2014 postseason following a batch of home runs.
Despite the feuds Harper has always retained a positive mindset on 'San Fran' and the Giants even showing his affection on Twitter in 2013.
The Giants, on the downward trend, need a fresh start. A roster riddled with veterans with massive contracts and weak farm system may have some apprehension adding a $30 million player. Though the price is steep, Harper is not any player. Already ranking among Hall of Fame type talent and winning a prior MVP award, Harper could be that spark a team like the Giants need. Knowing the club finished second to last in home runs and runs batted in, Harper is a no brainer for San Francisco.
As of today, Harper is not any closer to signing with the Giants than he was last week meaning fans and teams will have to keep playing the waiting game.
*preview photo credited to NBC Sports Bay Area
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