With Giants catcher Buster Posey out for the season, the Giants are forced to explore internal and external options to replace him for the rest of the season. They currently have two journeyman catchers - Chris Stewart and Eli Whiteside - both of whom have been traveling around from team-to-team for the past five years or so.
The Giants are just 0.5 games back behind the Diamondbacks, and for the most part, are playing good baseball. Pablo Sandoval, Mike Fontenot, and Mark DeRosa are all on the disabled list with the Giants, and all have postseason experience.
Rodriguez is hitting .215 with 2 home runs this season with the Nationals, but GM Mike Rizzo says his value cannot be judged solely by his stat line. He has become the veteran presence the Nats have been seeking and a mentor for the younger players.
Rodriguez has played for great clubs over the years. He played with the Rangers alongside Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro, the 2003 Marlins World Series squad, and improving teams like the Tigers, Yankees, and Rangers along the way. He has been more of a mentor around the league than some actually realize.
"We still need him here," Rizzo said. "His value to us has only risen since he got here and especially this year. The way he’s worked with Wilson Ramos, he’s proved it’s not show or B.S. He’s embraced the city of Washington. He wants to stay here."
Pudge is definitely the type of player that a team would be happy to buy low on. Not only is he capable of breaking out in a new environment, but he is still capable of putting up strong numbers given his age.
Who else could the Giants pursue outside the organization?