The SF Giants are under .500 right now and while they show occasional signs of life, it seems whenever they do they lose a series or get swept to destroy any momentum they had. The front office has not been afraid to shake things up and call guys up to the big leagues to see if that brings about different results.
Unfortunately nothing they’ve tried has been all that successful. Whether it was calling up Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez or trading Patrick Bailey, no move has brought about an appreciable improvement in results.
Until there is a decided turnaround, there’s a decent chance the roster churn will continue. If it does, then these three players should be off the big league roster by the end of May.
3 roster subtractions SF Giants would be wise to make soon
Jesus Rodriguez
The Giants called up Rodriguez because he was swinging a hot bat in Triple-A Sacramento. Initially, he kept on hitting in the big leagues and looked like a guy who had to be kept in the lineup however possible even if the defensive question marks that plagued him in the minors because very evident red flags in the big leagues.
The bat has cooled off since then though and is hitting .229/.308/.314 entering Monday’s game. He has not looked very strong defensively behind the plate as his throws down to second base to throw runners out have often been errant. The Giants have put him at second base and both corner outfield spots as well and his defense in the outfield is very questionable. He clanked a ball on Sunday in left field as he dove for it which was similar to a play he was unable to make in right field after he was first called up.
They were not routine plays by any stretch, but they are the sort of plays normal outfielders make more often than not. If he was swinging a hot bat then these miscues could be forgiven, but since he isn’t it’s tough to justify his place on the roster. Rodriguez may need to mature a bit more in the minors and improve defensively before he stays in the big leagues for good.
Will Brennan
The Giants have called up Will Brennan a few times when outfielders have been injured and with both Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos on the IL it makes sense to have him on the squad.
The only problem is he’s not hitting very well with two hits in 16 at-bats entering Monday’s game. While he’s a fine defender, his presence on the roster is taking at-bats away from top prospect Bryce Eldridge.
With all due respect to Brennan, Eldridge is the guy who is more likely to have a long-term impact on the Giants so it may be time to send Brennan down to clear the deck for Eldridge a little bit more.
Ryan BoruckiÂ
Somehow Ryan Borucki has survived on San Francisco’s roster this far into the season. The left-hander has a 4.12 ERA but he’s remained a part of the bullpen despite really only being used in low leverage situations for the most part. He’s sort of like the new Luke Jackson, a reliever who stayed on the team far longer than he should’ve back in 2024.
The Giants currently have four left-handed relievers in the bullpen which is at least one too many. There are other arms in Triple-A who would be more useful on the roster so perhaps Borucki’s time with San Francisco will soon come to an end.
It’s been a rough first few months for the Giants and these players do not shoulder a lot of the blame, but it still may be smart to shake things up and see if that will lead to a hot June.
