MLB San Francisco Giants

Jeremy Hellickson a Solid Option for San Francisco Giants

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By @real_johnshea

Jeremy Hellickson

Steve Mitchell – USA TODAY Sports

The defending World Champion-San Francisco Giants need to address their suddenly mediocre starting rotation this offseason, and could potentially seek a solution on the trade front.

GM Brian Sabean has made it known that the club’s first, and temporarily only priority is to re-sign Pablo Sandoval. Sabean has yet to make official comment regarding the Giants’ spending capacity this winter, but recent history indicates that San Francisco’s team payroll will likely increase by approximately $13-million next season.

If the Giants opt to sign Sandoval to a long-term contract eclipsing the $90-million mark, the club could be hard-pressed to seek out other name brand free agents, increasing the likelihood of a trade. At the moment, the Giants owe roughly $127-million to 13 players for the 2015 season, and are on pace to spend a total of $161 million on player personnel, given average payroll increases over the past six offseasons.

While it remains possible for the Giants’ board of investors to approve a sizable increase in team payroll that would grant Sabean additional flexibility, recent trends in World Series defense seasons indicate that won’t be the case. The Giants’ payroll increased by a modest total of $5 million after their 2012 championship run arguably because of frivolous spending that yielded mediocre resulted in the season prior.

The Giants added nearly $24 million in team payroll after their 2010 World Series win, the biggest spike in money allocated to players during Sabean’s tenure as GM. The spike was primarily accounted for by the ill-advised acquisition of Miguel Tejada (one-year, $6-million) and the re-signing of Aubrey Huff (two-years, $22-million).

It’s not likely for Sabean to make similar mistakes this offseason, especially given that he could be facing budgetary restrictions. If the Giants’ spending habits remain static as they have over recent free agency periods, it’s likely that Sabean will leverage the trade front to acquire an additional starting pitcher like Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jeremy Hellickson.

According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the Arizona Diamondbacks have already inquired about Hellickson, who missed most of last season due to arthroscopic elbow surgery. It’s unknown if the Rays are seriously considering trading the 27-year-old hurler, but he’d be a solid fit for the Giants nonetheless.

San Francisco currently has two vacant spots in its starting rotation. It remains possible that both Jake Peavy and Ryan Vogelsong could return, although both veterans struggled in October. Hellickson is under club control through 2017 and is eligible for arbitration this offseason. He earned a career high $3.6-million while recording a 1-5 record with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts after returning from surgery last season.

The 2011 Rookie of the Year owns a 40-36 career record with a 3.78 ERA in 115 games over five seasons. He’s a viable big league arm who flaunts upside. The fact that he remains under club control until ’17 is ultimately enticing, given that San Francisco could have as many as three open rotation spots next offseason. Striking a deal for Hellickson this winter would not only improve the Giants’ rotation for 2015, but also for at least two seasons thereafter.

John Shea is an MLB writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @real_johnshea. Like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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