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Giants Face a 'What-If' Free-Agency Puzzle in 2023: A Deep Dive into the Rumors and Realities
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Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 17:02 GMT by Sporting News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Giants Face a “What‑If” Free‑Agency Puzzle in 2023: A Deep Dive into the Rumors and Realities
The San Francisco Giants are heading into a new season with a roster that is already in flux, a front‑office that is tight‑fisted by design, and a handful of free‑agent prospects that could reshape the lineup. In a Sporting News story titled “Giants Unlikely Land Four‑Time All‑Star Free Agent Off‑Season,” the author charts why the Giants are in a difficult position to sign a marquee player, why the rumor‑monger’s eye was on the four‑time All‑Star (most likely Nolan Arenado), and what the franchise’s realistic options are. The piece weaves together the Giants’ salary‑cap landscape, their roster needs, and their historical approach to big‑name acquisitions.
The All‑Star Conundrum
The headline references a four‑time All‑Star, a descriptor that, in the context of MLB, immediately points to an elite, proven talent. The most common candidate that fits the bill and that has been floated by Giants’ fans and analysts alike is Nolan Arenado, who enjoyed four All‑Star selections from 2017 to 2020. Arenado was a free agent in 2022 and, given his reputation as a power‑hitting, Gold‑Glove second baseman, it seemed like an ideal fit for a Giants squad that still lacks a true power threat in the middle of the lineup.
The article stresses that, while the idea of signing Arenado sounds appealing, there are hard numbers that make it unlikely. Arenado’s career salary, which peaked at about $23 million per year, would have to be negotiated down from the current figure he had been offered by the Cubs. The Giants’ cap space, which is already squeezed by the need to re‑sign a handful of younger core pieces, simply doesn’t allow a large, long‑term contract. Even a short‑term deal of one or two years would eat into the budget that the Giants need for a rebuild. The author cites a Sporting News analysis of the Giants’ payroll that shows the team had only about $50 million left for free‑agency signings after accounting for the 2023 salary cap of $110 million.
The article also references the Giants’ own statements from the front office. “We’re looking at a mix of young talent and a few seasoned veterans,” a quote from GM Brian Sabean is paraphrased in the piece. Sabean has always been careful about spending; his tenure has seen the Giants win three World Series titles while maintaining a low‑budget profile. The author notes that this philosophy means the Giants would probably not chase a large All‑Star contract, and this is what the headline is underscoring.
Other Free‑Agent Targets and the “Low‑Risk” Approach
The Sporting News article goes beyond Arenado, surveying the other free agents on the Giants’ radar. The list is sparse – the Giants are in need of a middle‑of‑the‑lineup hitter, a reliable right‑hander in the bullpen, and a short‑stop who can protect the defensive core. A few names appear: J.D. Martinez (left‑handed bat, 2022 free agent), Freddie Freeman (3‑time All‑Star, a huge name, but with a high salary), and Jose Ramirez (3‑time All‑Star). While each of these players offers something that the Giants could lack, the article points out that each would come with a significant cost.
To keep the conversation realistic, the author pulls in a link to another Sporting News piece that details the Giants’ 2022 payroll, illustrating that the organization has prioritized keeping its budget lean. This second article is used to explain that the Giants have already extended deals for key pieces like Brandon Crawford, Kyle Harrison, and Mike Yastrzemski – all of whom are under contract and have been the bedrock of the 2022 season.
In contrast to the headline’s dramatic phrasing, the article argues that the Giants are more likely to turn to “a mid‑level free agent” – a player who offers decent performance without the hefty salary tag. One name that the Giants have quietly considered is David Peralta, a 2022 free‑agent catcher with a solid defensive reputation, though the article notes that he is not a power hitter. Alternatively, the Giants could look at a “low‑cost” pitcher, such as Matt Barnes, who, while not a four‑time All‑Star, offers veteran presence and a high “wins above replacement” (WAR) in his short‑stint role.
The Bigger Picture: Giants’ Rebuilding Strategy
An essential element of the article is the context of the Giants’ long‑term rebuilding trajectory. With a 2022 record that fell short of the playoffs, the Giants were forced to trade or release several veteran players. The team’s ownership has been transparent about its focus on a “core of young, high‑upside talent.” The article references a 2021 interview with Sabean where he talked about the need to “stay flexible” and “build for the future.”
The Giants’ 2022 roster includes a promising trio of Nolan Gorman, Dylan Cease, and Yohanes Diaz, which the Sporting News piece points out as the core around which the front office will build. The Giants also signed a young pitcher, Dylan Cease, to a multi‑year contract that the article suggests shows a preference for developing talent internally rather than buying a star at a premium price.
The article uses a link to a statistical breakdown of the Giants’ WAR contribution over the past three seasons to underline how the team’s overall offensive output has lagged behind. The author uses these stats to bolster the argument that the Giants need a more powerful offensive anchor, but that they cannot afford to sign one without jeopardizing their broader rebuilding agenda.
The Bottom Line
“Giants Unlikely Land Four‑Time All‑Star Free Agent Off‑Season” is a concise, data‑driven exploration of why the Giants will probably not sign a marquee free agent in 2023. While the headlines suggest a dramatic “what‑if” scenario, the article delivers a balanced view: the Giants have clear needs, but those needs come with a budget constraint that makes a high‑profile All‑Star a low probability.
In the end, the article recommends that the Giants focus on “leveraging mid‑level talent, maximizing their current core, and continuing their incremental rebuilding process.” Fans who want to see a giant (pun intended) in the lineup may need to look elsewhere, but the Giants’ strategy seems to be more about long‑term stability than short‑term fireworks. This approach, the piece argues, will allow the team to compete in the next few seasons while setting the stage for sustained success.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/san-francisco-giants/news/giants-unlikely-land-four-time-all-star-free-agent-offseason/531b095e2558a9bb943fee82 ]
