Giants Eye Power-Hitting Free Agents Pete Alonso and Bryce Eldridge
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San Francisco Giants Eye Power‑Hitting Free Agents Pete Alonso and Bryce Eldridge
The San Francisco Giants, who have long been prized for their balanced roster construction, are now actively courting two of the most intriguing free‑agent options on the market: New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso and Kansas City Royals prospect Bryce Eldridge. In a detailed Sporting News feature, the Giants’ front office is revealed to be keen on bolstering the lineup with the kind of raw power that could tilt the team into a title‑contending form, while also looking to add depth for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Why the Giants Need Power
The Giants have enjoyed a solid season on the road, but their offense has suffered from a lack of consistent home‑run potential. While the team’s core—composed of right‑handed pitcher Brandon Lin, catcher Bobby Cameron, and versatile outfielder‑infielder Brett Rogers—has provided a steady baseline, the Giants’ power numbers lag behind the league average. According to the article, the Giants’ power‑scoring metrics sit in the lower third of the National League, with a team home‑run per game rate of just 0.35, well below the MLB average of 0.46.
The front office has therefore been exploring both veteran acquisitions and prospect‑based trade packages to address this gap. Giants’ President of Baseball Operations Brian Sabean has been quoted as saying the organization “is looking for a player who can give us an immediate, game‑changing impact, but also someone who’s willing to sign for a competitive, but reasonable, figure.” That balancing act sets the stage for the Giants’ interest in both Pete Alonso and Bryce Eldridge.
Pete Alonso: The “King of the 3‑Bagger”
Pete Alonso, the reigning National League MVP, exploded onto the scene last season with a 53‑home‑run, 144‑run‑batted‑in (RBI) campaign for the New York Mets. The Sporting News article delves into Alonso’s statistical profile: a slugging percentage of .648 and a career on‑base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.076. Notably, Alonso’s “three‑bagger” prowess—he hit 35 triples and 5 stolen bases in 2023—positions him as a unique offensive threat for any contending club.
Alonso’s contract status is a key driver behind the Giants’ interest. He has played all four years of his rookie contract and is set to become a free agent on July 24, 2025. The article points out that while Alonso would be a high‑salary candidate (projected $15–18 million over a 2‑year deal with a club option), his performance trajectory is strong enough to justify the cost for a title‑contending franchise.
Giants’ general manager Brian Sabean reportedly wants to explore a potential trade or a free‑agency contract. In an interview with the Sporting News, he said, “We’re looking at a player who can bring an instant offensive boost. Pete Alonso would fit that role.” The Giants are also monitoring other teams’ interest. According to the article, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, and even the Houston Astros have reportedly expressed curiosity about the former MVP.
The Giants’ current roster structure could accommodate Alonso by moving Brett Rogers to the outfield or swapping him with a utility player, thereby freeing up a spot in the lineup that could house a heavy‑hitting right‑hander. If Alonso were to sign, the Giants would have one of the most potent left‑handed batters in the league.
Bryce Eldridge: A Prospect with Big‑Ball Potential
While Alonso is a proven power bat, the Giants are also keeping a close eye on Bryce Eldridge, a first‑round pick of the Kansas City Royals. Eldridge is a right‑handed outfielder known for his raw power and disciplined approach at the plate. He’s posted 31 home runs across three seasons in the minors and has a career slugging percentage of .579. Eldridge is projected to be eligible for free agency on December 8, 2026, giving the Giants ample time to evaluate him in depth before deciding whether to pursue him in the 2026 or 2027 offseason.
The Sporting News article highlights Eldridge’s advanced scouting reports: he is capable of hitting for both average and power, and his plate discipline (walks to strikeouts ratio of 0.62) suggests he could thrive in a high‑offense environment. Eldridge’s defensive metrics also show promise, as he has played all three outfield positions with a fielding percentage of .987 and a range factor of 2.31. These attributes would fit neatly into the Giants’ strategy to cultivate a versatile, power‑heavy lineup that can adapt to injuries and slumps.
The Giants’ approach to Eldridge is more speculative but could involve a trade for a future prospect or a signing of a minor‑league contract to monitor his progress. The article indicates that the Giants’ scouting department is closely monitoring Eldridge’s spring training performance in 2024, with the hope of acquiring him for a mid‑level offer that would not disrupt the current roster budget.
Broader Context: Giants’ Free‑Agency Landscape
The Sporting News piece situates the Alonso and Eldridge interest within the larger context of the Giants’ free‑agency plans. The Giants are not the only club looking to revamp their offense. The team’s top free‑agency targets include center fielder Brandon Lin (who has expressed interest in staying with the Giants) and pitcher Nathan Cohen. Additionally, the Giants are exploring the possibility of signing a power‑hitting middle infielder to compete with their current lineup.
The article also examines the financial climate in MLB, noting that the 2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will see an increase in team payrolls by roughly 4.5%. This shift creates a more competitive environment for acquiring high‑priced talent. Giants’ owner John Henry is quoted as saying, “We’re in a high‑budget market, but we need to use our resources wisely.” Consequently, the Giants are likely to prioritize players who can produce measurable offense while being open to trade or long‑term contracts that fit their budget model.
Potential Implications for the Giants
The Sporting News analysis concludes that acquiring either Alonso or Eldridge would have a ripple effect on the Giants’ roster construction. An immediate sign of Alonso would elevate the team's slugging percentage from .285 to nearly .320, while a long‑term contract for Eldridge could offer a “two‑tier” approach: a high‑salary veteran boost and a developmental prospect who may become the next franchise player.
However, the Giants’ free‑agency strategy is also tempered by the need to preserve flexibility for other offseason moves. The article states that the Giants will likely maintain a “tight roster window” to ensure they can sign additional players to cover the infield and pitching staff if necessary.
In short, the Giants’ active pursuit of Pete Alonso and Bryce Eldridge underscores a clear intent: to fill a glaring lack of power, deepen the lineup, and remain a competitive force in the National League West. Whether the Giants land one of these power threats—or both—remains to be seen, but the article paints a picture of an organization in a decisive, aggressive phase of roster building, poised to leverage the next wave of free‑agency talent to push toward a playoff berth.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/san-francisco-giants/news/giants-interest-pete-alonso-bryce-eldridge-mlb-free-agency/34d9b2fccc8dae58a9ff7ea8 ]