According to a report on ESPN New York, San Francisco Giants executive VP Brian Sabean has quietly been at Citi Field during the Mets-Nationals series.
Although the reason for Sabean’s visit is not exactly clear, Adam Rubin speculates that the Giants could be looking to upgrade at third base this summer.
The Giants traded two pitching prospects to the Miami Marlins over the Winter to acquire Casey McGehee after they lost Pablo Sandoval to the Boston Red Sox.
However, McGehee is hitting just .164 with one homer and two RBIs in 16 starts at third base.
SB Nation’s Grant Brisbee recently wrote about McGehee:
“McGehee can’t run, field, or hit for power, and he is the greatest double play-intoer of his generation. Specifically, if he isn’t hitting for a high average and posting solid OBPs, he lacks a single skill that a starting third baseman should have.”
Back to Sabean. It’s interesting to note that his two-day visit coincided with Daniel Murphy‘s shift to third base to cover for David Wright who’s still out with the hamstring injury.
Murphy, who is in his final season before free agency, got off to a sluggish start this season. But over his last ten games he is batting.308 with 14 RBI and a .896 OPS. He would certainly be an attractive option for the Giants.
The Mets have no intentions of extending Murphy. They have been looking to deal him for two seasons, but were not satisfied with any of the offers they received, and opted to hang onto him believing that his value to the team was worth more than what they were being offered.
Mets officials in recent days have suggested there is nothing serious going on right now involving Murphy and discussions with other teams, Rubin says.
The Giants also may be looking for a starting pitcher with Jake Peavy and Matt Cain on the DL, and Tim Lincecum struggling.
