The San Francisco Giants are actively looking to strengthen their second base position this offseason, as reported by Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic. Last season, Tyler Fitzgerald, Casey Schmitt, and Christian Koss shared responsibilities at second base, with Fitzgerald leading the way with 63 starts. However, the club appears intent on finding a more stable solution for the upcoming season.
One potential target for the Giants is Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have been contemplating a trade involving Lowe for some time, and with the 2024 season marking the final year of his $11.5 million contract, the likelihood of a trade is greater than ever.
Lowe, who delivered an impressive .256 batting average with 31 home runs and a .785 OPS in 134 games last season, could provide the offensive firepower the Giants are looking for. In contrast, the trio of Fitzgerald, Schmitt, and Koss combined for only 19 home runs last year.
The rationale behind this potential trade is grounded in the mutual benefits for both teams. While Lowe has had some injury concerns throughout his career, he offers a dependable batting option that could complement the Giants’ lineup, particularly alongside slugger Rafael Devers. Additionally, if the Rays find themselves outside of postseason contention come trade deadline, they may be inclined to offload Lowe to cut costs, especially after recently parting ways with closer Pete Fairbanks to reduce payroll.
The Giants’ proactive approach to improving their roster highlights their ambition to compete in the competitive NL West, aiming to enhance their overall performance in the upcoming season. With the possibility of acquiring Lowe, the Giants could transform their second base from a question mark into a significant strength.