Report: Giants seen as big Semien players in free agency

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Financially, the Athletics can't bring free-agent Marcus Semien back to the Bay Area this offseason. 

The Giants certainly can, though. And they're reportedly seen as big players for the star infielder. 

After the 90-win Seattle Mariners fell just short of the playoffs this past season, they're expected to be all-in on several big-name free agents. That includes Semien. However, the Giants could be a major obstacle in their pursuit. 

"The thinking is that the Mariners might have to offer him a five-year, $140-$150 million contract to keep him from going to San Francisco or New York on a four-year deal," The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish wrote on Monday. 

Semien, 31, is a San Francisco native who is coming off the best season of his career. After the A's low-balled him last offseason, Semien signed a one-year, $18 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He went north of the border and found his power. 

Semien played all 162 games, and hit .265 with a career-high 45 home runs and had an .873 OPS. He also sets career highs in RBI (102) and stolen bases (15), and hit 39 doubles. 

With Bo Bichette entrenched at shortstop, Semien made the switch to second base, and the move paid off. Semien won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, and was named an All-Star for the first time. 

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Semien would bring a right-handed power bat to the Giants' lineup. He instantly would be an upgrade at second base and allow Tommy La Stella, who is coming off Achilles surgery, to be a platoon utility man across the infield and be a valuable pinch-hitter against right-handers. Semien also could fill in at shortstop if Brandon Crawford ever needed a day off. 

Starting pitching is the Giants' No. 1 priority this offseason, but adding Semien would be a pretty strong start to the winter. 

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