The San Francisco Giants have been the center of attention lately, especially regarding rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge. Recently, there has been speculation surrounding potential trades involving him. As the Giants entered the offseason, their primary focus appeared to be improving their pitching staff. However, they seemed reluctant to engage deeply in the high-stakes free agent market, which sparked discussions about the possibility of trading Eldridge in exchange for a reliable starting pitcher, possibly someone with elite rotation potential like MacKenzie Gore.
Despite the buzz, such a trade looks unlikely. Players of Eldridge’s talent level are rarely traded, and the 21-year-old has taken the rumors in stride. At the Giants FanFest, he expressed his desire to remain with the team, stating, "I try not to get too wrapped up in anything going on... I want to be here. I want to play for this team. I don’t plan on leaving here anytime soon. I hope they don’t plan on making me leave anytime soon."
Eldridge, who was selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2023 draft, spent the majority of last season playing at the upper levels of the minor leagues. He showcased his power by hitting 25 home runs while achieving an impressive .260/.333/.510 batting average over 433 plate appearances. Standing tall at 6'7", he did strike out over 29% of the time, but he still performed above average at both minor league levels when he was just 20 years old. The Giants called him up during mid-September, and although he may not be a guaranteed starter due to his strikeout rate, he is expected to play a significant role throughout the season.
Eldridge underwent surgery after the postseason to remove a bone spur from his left wrist, but he has reported that he is nearly fully recovered and is currently completing his hitting program. As spring training approaches, he will compete for the starting position at first base or designated hitter, particularly in a shared role with Rafael Devers.
Meanwhile, there remains some uncertainty about the second base position as the Giants are actively exploring options to upgrade there. They have been linked to players like Brendan Donovan and Stanford alum Nico Hoerner, though the latter seems less likely to be traded. If the Giants do not secure a significant addition, Casey Schmitt is poised to take over the starting role. Schmitt stepped in midseason for the struggling Tyler Fitzgerald, finishing with a league-average performance of .237/.305/.401 across 95 games.
Like Eldridge, Schmitt is also recovering from surgery—specifically, a procedure to remove a carpal boss from his left wrist. According to Susan Slusser from the San Francisco Chronicle, he has recently started hitting off a tee again. Although he may require more time to fully recover before Opening Day, it appears he is progressing well and could earn his first career Opening Day start if he is fit and the Giants do not acquire a star player through trade.
Should the Giants manage to sign a player like Donovan, Schmitt may transition into a versatile bench role, allowing him to utilize his natural skills as a third baseman and his experience at shortstop. However, competition for spots on the left side of the infield will be tough, especially with established players like Matt Chapman and Willy Adames occupying those positions. Despite interest from other teams over the past couple of years, Schmitt’s versatility and remaining minor league options mean the Giants aren’t in a hurry to trade him.
While fans are eager for bold moves to enhance the MLB roster, the Giants made headlines in the minor leagues recently by signing Venezuelan infielder Luis Hernández on January 15, offering him a remarkable $5 million signing bonus—the highest for any player in this year’s international signing period. MLB Pipeline has recognized Hernández as the top prospect in this class, praising his polished skills and strong overall abilities. Ben Badler from Baseball America notes that many scouts regard Hernández as the premier amateur prospect available, even though BA does not officially rank international signees. At just 17 years old, and standing at 5'10", Hernández may not make an immediate impact in the MLB, but he represents a compelling addition for the Giants’ player development efforts.
