The reliever will be relatively affordable; the outfielder won't be, particularly if the Giants again resort to free agency to fill this need. And with a projected $160 million already committed to 13 players for 2016, the Giants must begin economizing to avoid exceeding last year's Opening Day payroll of approximately $173 million.
That's why it was significant when general manager Bobby Evans said last week that he was beginning to glean interest from clubs about "prospect-driven" trades.