Regardless of outside perception, the Giants will actually be a desirable destination for MLB free agents this winter.
San Francisco is entering one of the biggest offseasons in franchise history and is poised to kill two birds with one stone in an effort to reshape a lackluster roster and reinvigorate a disgruntled fan base. It seems like it is.
From President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi to CEO Larry Baer to owner Greg Johnson, the Giants are willing to spend whatever it takes on free agents with their deep pockets, even if it’s comfortable. It’s not an organization like the New York Mets, which is trying to make a difference. Next season, he will likely teeter above the competitive balance tax threshold, despite boasting the league’s top salary.
With free agency set to begin on Monday, here are three reasons why the Giants are an attractive destination for big-time players.
I want to win, I want to spend money
The frustration of Giants fans over the past two seasons has been loud and clear.
The product on the field, while competitive at times, fell far short of the championship expectations Orange and Black fans were accustomed to. But over the past decade, the organization has never considered a turnaround. In fact, they are committed to winning, even if it doesn’t seem like it sometimes.
However, a “certain break-even point” is necessary.
To their credit, the Giants have been putting their money where their mouth is in recent years. Since 2018, they have been willing to take on more than $250 million of Giancarlo Stanton’s disastrous Miami Marlins contract, and have given Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, and Carlos Correa contracts worth more than $300 million. I have been offered.
Their recent three World Series wins have put them in a corner. In a good way. They have a reputation and tradition as an organization to uphold and put a competitive product on the field each season.
Yes, there are valid criticisms, but there’s no denying that the Giants want to maintain their success for years to come.
cornerstone youth
Speaking of those three championships, the Giants have won in 2010, 2012, and 2014 thanks to a raw core of Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, Tim Lincecum, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, and Matt Cain. We were able to lift the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2016.
It would be pure folly to compare the Giants’ current crop of young players to the core of that dynasty, but an exciting core is forming. Farm system and player development are important factors for free agency.
The Giants have a franchise Gold Glove-caliber catcher behind the plate in Patrick Bailey. That and Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly restrictions could be a dream combination for free agent pitchers. Not to mention the exciting duo of Logan Webb and Kyle Harrison at the top of the starting rotation, as well as key players at the major league level such as Tyro Estrada, Marco Luciano, Tyler Fitzgerald, Casey Schmidt, and Luis Matos. A small number of players who have the potential to become great players are expanding their opportunities. Upper level of farm system.
The 2023 season was disappointing on paper for the Giants, but it was a monumental year for player development. This winter is the organization’s first offseason in a while, and it feels like it’s a stepping stone for the future.
star-hungry fan base
The Giants are still looking for superstars to make their roster.
They had an accident slip through their fingers last offseason, and in hindsight, it was a good long-term outcome, but it doesn’t erase the pain you, the fan, are feeling.
However, it’s worth pointing out that Correa actually chose to sign with the Giants. He chose that organization, chose to play baseball in the city of San Francisco, and was excited to build a life in the Bay Area. The superstar chose the Giants, and for about a week, fans embraced him to the fullest. Don’t let historical revisionists erase it.
And eventually there will be another one.
Whoever that player is, he will quickly be loved and embraced by one of baseball’s most passionate fan bases. Harper, Judge, Correa, or Shohei Ohtani have not signed with San Francisco to join the other superstars on the super team.This is what the Giants are like their team.
There’s value in helping build something at a new organization. As long as the foundation is there (which is the case with the Giants), free agents don’t necessarily need that obvious name recognition on the roster to convince them to join the team.
Sign with the Giants and you become that guy. The city is yours.
Download and follow the Giants Talk podcast