The prize is Pittsburgh first baseman Sean Casey. Both the Giants and A’s covet him. When he becomes a free agent at the end of the season, the Giants will pursue him, but when it comes to “renting” him for this season, the A’s have the advantage.
Though the organization philosophies are quite different, the Giants and A’s have some similarities as the season is at its halfway point. Both are pitching-oriented with shaky offenses, both are playing in a division where 88 or 89 victories could be enough to win.
And both have a dead hole at first base.