GMs often reap rewards

In a span of six days last offseason, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich signed the two players — closer Greg Holland and first baseman Mark Reynolds — that might very well have gotten his team over the top in its quest to return to the postseason.

Holland signed an incentive-laden one-year, $6 million deal to prove he was fully recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Right-hander Brandon Morrow agreed to a Minor League deal with the Dodgers in Jan.

Right-hander Matt Albers signed a Minor League deal with the Nationals in Jan.

Center fielder Austin Jackson signed a Minor League deal with the Indians in Jan.

Right-hander Anthony Swarzak signed a Minor League contract with the White Sox in Jan.

Here’s the other lesson about last offseason: Sometimes no deal is the right deal.

Center fielder Chris Taylor, who had changed his hitting mechanics during the offseason, was summoned on April 19, and he finished with 34 doubles, 21 home runs, 17 steals and an .850 OPS in 140 games, most of them at the top or the order.

The rumors surrounding a potential blockbuster involving Giancarlo Stanton continue to be a dominant theme this offseason, and a report on Thursday night from MLB Network Insider Ken Rosenthal suggested the Giants are making a push to close the deal.

According to the report, members of San Francisco’s front office were in Los Angeles on Thursday to meet with Stanton’s representatives to see if the National League MVP would be willing to accept a deal to the the Giants.