N※N

Giants Unlikely to Sign Four-Time All-Star Matt Olson Amid Payroll Constraints

55

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ll-star-matt-olson-amid-payroll-constraints.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 1:48 GMT by Sporting News

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-20 224 x 224 / 9709 Bytes

2025-12-20 224 x 224 / 11150 Bytes

2025-12-20 179 x 224 / 13481 Bytes

2025-12-20 179 x 224 / 12442 Bytes

Giants Unlikely to Land Four‑Time All‑Star Free Agent: A Deep Dive into Matt Olson and the San Francisco Off‑Season

The San Francisco Giants entered the 2024 offseason with a clear need for a power‑hitting first baseman who can provide both veteran leadership and offensive consistency. The market’s biggest name fitting that description was Matt Olson, the Atlanta Braves’ current first‑baseman, who finished the 2023 campaign with a .266 average, 36 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases—an all‑round package that earned him the National League’s First‑Base Silver Slugger and a place on the All‑Star team. In the summer press releases and trade rumors that littered the sport, many analysts suggested that the Giants could swoop in on Olson if the Braves were willing to let him go. However, a closer look at the Giants’ salary structure, roster constraints, and Olson’s own contract demands paints a much less optimistic picture.

Matt Olson’s All‑Star Resume

Olson’s résumé is a strong one for a franchise in transition. As a four‑time All‑Star (2017, 2018, 2020, 2023) and a member of the 2023 National League Championship Series (NLCS) roster, he brings experience under playoff pressure. His 2023 line‑up was a blend of power and speed, finishing second in the National League in home runs (36) and fourth in runs batted in (109). In 2024, his projected line‑up for the Braves included a 7‑foot 5‑inch frame, a 96‑mph fastball, and a two‑handed slash line that many projected to be the league’s most valuable.

The article emphasized that the Braves had signed Olson to a four‑year, $64 million extension in 2023, with the option for a fifth year. While the extension capped Olson’s contract at $64 million over the next three seasons (after the 2023 season), the Giants’ general manager, David Ahern, acknowledged that a trade or buy‑out could be possible only if the Braves found a suitable replacement.

Giants’ Roster & Salary Constraints

The Giants, after falling short in the 2023 season and missing the playoffs, are looking to rebuild around a core of young talent—including the likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Juan Soto (though his future status remains uncertain), and Bobby Witt Jr. in the minors. With a payroll ceiling hovering around $145 million and an already allocated $30 million for the starting rotation, the Giants have little room for a big name at first base.

The article cited the 2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that limits the Giants to an annual payroll of roughly $150 million if they choose to re‑sign current free agents. Adding a player of Olson’s stature would push the Giants well above that ceiling, necessitating a release or trade of other players. Ahern himself noted that a potential Olson signing would require him to offload Bobby Witt Jr. from the 40‑man roster, a move that would be difficult given Witt’s potential and contract terms.

Olson’s Contract Demands & Alternatives

Olson’s own contract requests—reported to be a $12‑$15 million annual salary for a one‑to‑two‑year deal—are not the most demanding in the league but are high relative to the Giants’ current roster value. In contrast, the Giants could target less expensive but equally productive options, such as Michael Conforto or Kendrick Lynn (though Lynn is a pitcher). The article highlighted Tobias Rieder and Dylan Hedges, two first basemen who had shown flashes in the minors and were within the Giants’ budget.

Additionally, the Giants had the option to look abroad. The KBO had seen several MLB veterans sign for multi‑year deals that were competitive with a $10 million annual salary. Ahern’s comment that “if we can’t get Olson, we will explore overseas options to bring a power hitter to the team” further underscores the limited flexibility the Giants have.

Giants’ Strategic Direction

The overall narrative presented in the article was that the Giants are unlikely to land a four‑time All‑Star free agent in the coming off‑season. This conclusion is backed by:

1. Salary Cap Issues – The Giants’ projected payroll would exceed league limits if Olson was brought on board.
2. Roster Constraints – Key young prospects would have to be displaced or traded.
3. Olson’s Own Expectations – His contract demands align more with a team that can match the financial weight of a player of his caliber, such as the Braves or the Mets.
4. Alternative Signings – The Giants have cheaper, productive first‑basemen available within their budget.

The article noted that, in the long term, the Giants might find success by recruiting a player with a modest contract but comparable production, thereby preserving the core of their young roster. They could also consider a two‑team trade to acquire Olson if the Braves are willing to part with a significant part of their 2025 budget, but the Giants would have to risk losing a younger player with potential upside.

Conclusion

In essence, the Sporting News piece paints a clear picture: while the San Francisco Giants were tempted by the prospect of a high‑profile first‑baseman like Matt Olson, the financial realities and roster dynamics of the 2024 season make it unlikely that the Giants will land the four‑time All‑Star free agent. The team’s leadership must now focus on leveraging the talent they already have and exploring cost‑effective signings or strategic trades that keep them within the bounds of the 2024 CBA and allow them to rebuild a competitive roster for the future.