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Top 3 SF Giants Free Agent Targets

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In 2021, the San Francisco Giants were a fantastic, relentless, and unbelievable team. They won 107 games before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a tough NLDS. Since then, the Giants have had 81-81, 79-83, and 80-82 records. Every year since 2021 has felt very mediocre, and the Giants could use some powerful free agents.

Although they will have to try to retain Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, and others, the Giants could significantly benefit from useful free-agent acquisitions.

Top 3 SF Giants Free Agent Targets

Joc Pederson

Joc Pederson is coming off his best year since 2022. The Arizona Diamondbacks slugger managed 23 home runs and a high .275 average. In other words, Pederson would be a great addition to his former team. Pederson was a Giant for a couple of years after World Series victories with the Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. In 2022, Pederson hit almost precisely what he did this season: 23 home runs with a .274 average.

However, Pederson did not do well in 2023, hitting just 15 home runs with a low .235 average. This season, Pederson made himself one of the most valuable designated hitters on the free agent market. After trading Jorge Soler to the Braves, the Giants clearly need another reliable DH. Bringing back Pederson would be a perfect fit.

Sean Manaea

It seems many of the decisions San Francisco made after 2023 were terrible. Sean Manaea became an absolute stud with the New York Mets this season. He had a career year with 184 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA. Manaea has also performed well in the postseason. He led the Mets in all pitching categories this season, sporting a record of 12-6.

Last season, the Giants tried and failed to make Manaea a great pitcher. He only started 10 games and appeared in relief in another 27, but had a rough 4.44 ERA. The Mets took a significant risk and signed Manaea, much like their signings of Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, and others. Will Manaea leave New York? In all likeliness, no. Despite the likelihood of him opting out of his deal, thanks to the New York culture that he’s said he enjoys, Manaea will likely not want to return to the Giants. However, with deep pockets, San Francisco may be willing to pay more money for Manaea than New York.

Juan Soto

Here’s the man everyone knew was coming, Juan Soto. Unlike Manaea and Pederson, Soto will be only 26 by the start of the 2025 season. He is set to become a precious free agent. Again, in all likelihood, the New York Yankees will do everything they can to keep Soto. Another prediction saw Soto getting a 15-year, $701 million deal with the Yankees. Thankfully for the Giants, 15 years seems absurd, likely even from Soto’s viewpoint. Only the Giants, Mets, and Yankees can compete for Soto.

The Giants and Mets have deep pockets and money to spend in the offseason, as both missed out on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, the Giants have fewer free agents than the Mets and will have time to bid on Soto. No commodity is more important this season in free agency.

After a few seasons of mediocrity, the Giants could use a lot of help. Free agents will help solve the problems in San Francisco.

 

Photo Credit: © Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

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