The Giants led the campaign Luis Alexander Basabe for assignment, tweets Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. His place on the 40-man list will go to the attacker Tommy La Stella, whose three-year deal with the Giants has now been officially announced.
Basabe (24) was originally signed by the Red Sox but hit the White Sox as one of the secondary pieces – behind Michael Kopech and Yoan Moncada – in the blockbuster that brought Chris Sale and Boston. Basabe struggled at Class-A Advanced in 2017 and bounced back with a stunning performance between High-A and Double-A in 2018, but he dropped to the same levels again in 2019.
The Giants picked up Basabe in the 2020 season in exchange for cash and gave him the opportunity to make his MLB debut late in the year. He appeared in nine games and played 2-for-14 with four runs, five strikeouts and a few stolen bases.
Basabe was at one point a fairly well-regarded prospect – a potential midfielder who was considered a high-floorer due to an above-average reach and a strong throwing arm. Another club that needs a depth in midfield can give him a look based on defensive prowess, although Basabe also does not have the league options, and a new team should therefore take him in the opening list or reappoint him. assignment. A rebuilding club willing to embark on a center-field project could make sense, but it is also possible that the Giants could retain Basabe by giving him a waiver. They have a week to go on the trail or swap him now that he’s been removed from the 40 – man list.