The Giants entered the 2020 offseason with the majority of their needs lying within the pitching staff. They need arms, both in the rotation, and relief, preferably late relief. So far, they've been just about as quiet as they could be in that pursuit. Luckily for them, so has the rest of the league.
With the 2021 season's status of whether fans will be filling the ballparks in any capacity still very much up in the air, it's caused plenty of uncertainty throughout the league in terms of free agency. MLB free agency had already been trending toward a slower moving market in recent winters, but nobody really knows what's to come as this rough calendar year winds down. Without many marquee names in this free agent class to begin with and a possibly monumental class on the horizon next winter, I'd imagine this will end up being the slowest moving, lowest spending free agency period in recent history.
So what does that mean for the Giants? Possibly a lot. The Giants are still technically in rebuild mode, although they did come within an inch, literally, of a possible postseason birth at the end of the summer. While there had been some speculation early on about the Giants possibly going after Trevor Bauer to help come in and anchor the top-end of their rotation, Kevin Gausman accepting his qualifying offer for next season may have wiped any chances of that from happening. However, I don't think the Giants have/had a plan on going very big this free agency period anyway, as there aren't any guys atop the market that would appear as great fits. Sure Bauer would be interesting, but he's by far the best pitcher in this market and even in a covid offseason, some team is going to give him a huge payday. He's one of the most dominant, charismatic arms in the game and I think anyone would welcome him on the Giants, I just don't see it happening.
So instead of possibly throwing big dollars at Bauer, the Giants most likely will be looking more into the second/third-tiers of the free agent market, not only for help on the mound but possibly depth in the infield. Their outfield bunch really came into their own as the season wore on last summer and between Dickerson in left, Dubon in center, Yaz in right and Austin Slater rounding into that perfect fourth outfield role, they seem set out there. Maybe they go grab another veteran to bring in and compete for a spot but I think they have enough options in house to let that group ride, barring some unforeseen opportunity arising of course. Their infield is also pretty set in terms of starters but one of their top priorities this winter is to find a left-handed bat that can come in and plug in at second and third. So, with that in mind, I've scoured the free agent list and come up with a handful of potential solid fits, both in role and in price:
Starters
RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (Japan)
Sugano poses an interesting proposition if he is indeed posted by Yomiuiri Giants of the NPB. He has a track record similar to that of Masahiro Tanaka when he departed Japan for the MLB, although Sugano would be 5 years older than Tanaka at his posting. I've seen video on him the hype around him seems real. Solid low-90's fastball with an array of secondary pitches and uncanny control to all parts of the strike zone. He could be near the top of the list for the Giants if he's made available.
RHP's Taijuan Walker, Garret Richards, Corey Kluber
I've bunched this group together because they all fit similar profiles. Kluber is obviously the biggest name with the best track record but hasn't done much the last two seasons because of injury. Richards and Walker seem to have overcome their injured past as both had solid 2020 campaigns. Walker is a little younger at 28 whereas Richards is in his 30's. However, all three would fit the Giants mold lately of bringing in veteran arms who have faced injuries in previous seasons.
LHP Robbie Ray
Despite losing a lot of effectiveness over the last year and a half, Ray still has electric stuff and is still just 29 years old. The Giants could look at him similarly to the way they looked at Gausman last winter, although Ray's success before his decline in 2019 could lead to a more lucrative deal than the Giants are willing to give for the uncertainty, especially after seeing what the Braves just gave Drew Smyly.
Relievers
LHP Brad Hand
Coming off an impressive 2020 campaign and could fit that late inning role the Giants struggled with over the summer while possibly heading up the closing gig.
RHP's Blake Treinen, Trevor May
Both these guys fit similar molds as potential set-up guys, or closers, who have swing and miss stuff. May had the better year last year, but Treinen came back from injury in '19 to show he still has his high-90's heater and stuff that lead to a .78 ERA and 6th place Cy Young finish in '18.
RHP Kirby Yates
This guy could come in at a bargain due to missing the majority of 2020 and having to undergo surgery on his elbow. However, the surgery was considered relatively minor and he should make a full recovery by spring training. He's just a year removed from a 1.19 ERA/41 save season with San Diego although he
Infielders
Tommy La Stella
La Stella has sort of been the left handed version of Donovan Solano for the Cardinals the last couple of seasons, although he brings a better glove. He could provide that LH platoon partner for Solano at second while getting starts at third to keep Longoria fresh.
Jurickson Profar
Profar is a dynamic player who had a ton of hype coming into the league but has never fully panned out like people hoped. 2020 started out rough for him out of the gate, but he found his groove a few weeks in and basically played himself into an everyday role. He's got the flexibility to play all over the diamond that Zaidi loves as well as the reclamation type project the Giants have been good with the last couple seasons.
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