Giants have busy offseason approaching

 We've had about a week to digest the rough loss to the Dodgers in the NLDS and it's about time to start shifting our focus towards the offseason. It seems like every winter we head into is a crucial one for the Giants but this one is easily the most important of the Farhan Zaidi era.

Both Gabe Kapler and Zaidi spoke in a season ending press-conference on Monday at Oracle Park where they fielded questions regarding their priorities in the coming months. Before they can even delve into the free agent or trade market this winter, they have to first deal with their own impending free agents. Two of those guys are Brandon Belt and Kris Bryant, who were both talked about on Monday.

In terms of Belt, it looks pretty clear that the Giants probably won't want to go too long with him, and he very well should get a bigger offer on the open market should he get there. Farhan did seem to hint that the Giants were leaning toward offering him the qualifying offer, which if accepted would pay belt just south of $19 million for 2022. Of course if he's offered that and ends up signing elsewhere the Giants would be comped a draft pick. 

I think the Giants would be willing to do something like they did with Crawford (2-year/$32M extension) with Belt, but I doubt they'd go deeper than 2 years with him. At this point it really seems like it's 50/50 with the slugging first basemen. It wouldn't be surprising to see him stick around for a few more years nor would it be if he's offered a 4 or 5-year deal by another big market team to go take over first base for them.

As far is Kris Bryant, his future with the club seems even more unsure. He's one of the premium free agent bats about to hit the market and he's repped by Scott Boras which means he will more than likely go where the money is. Farhan mentioned that he doesn't anticipate entering into a potential bidding war in which Boras' clients seem to find themselves in often. Also, while Bryant did show up and perform well in the NLDS vs. the Dodgers, I don't think he quite lived up to expectations following the mid-season trade that brought him to the Giants. He hit well in August, slashing a solid .281/.333/.551 with 6 home runs, but really cooled off in September to the tune of .237/.339/.344 with just 1 long ball and 8 RBI. 

Unfortunately since he was a mid-season acquisition, he cannot be extended a qualifying offer from the Giants so there will be no compensation if he goes elsewhere. I can just see a team offering him $100+ million for 4 or 5 years and I just don't see the Giants going there.

Then of course there is the starting rotation, which both Kapler and Farhan stated will be the team's number one priority to kick off the winter. The big one is Kevin Gausman, who will also be ineligible to receive a "QO" after accepting one last winter. He's going to be one of the premiere starters on the market as well so the Giants may need to dig deep to bring him back. There's a chance that he would take slightly less to stay in the place that has made him a star, but like with Belt, I would not be surprised either way in this situation.

Same thing with Alex Wood. I think he's more likely to return than DeSclafini, but Wood will be in line for a huge raise over his 2021 salary which was a guaranteed $3 million with incentives. I really think Wood likes it here though and the Giants gave him a chance to start again which he cashed in on. I would lean more towards him returning if I had to guess.

As for DeSclafini and Cueto, I'm pretty sure those guys will move on. DeSclafini was terrific for the Giants in the regular season and also turned his career around in 2021. I could see him getting a big offer elsewhere though and his last start in the NLDS may make it easier for the Giants to let him walk. 

Cueto will be bought out of his $22 million option for '22. but he could return on a lower guaranteed deal to help mentor the younger guys on this staff and be back-end starting option. Cueto dealt with health issues throughout the year and that's probably the main concern with him at this point in his career. He wasn't bad when he was out there though, especially the first couple months of the season before he started missing starts.

If they are unable to bring back Wood, Gausman or DeSclafini, or even if they are able to return one or two them, the Giants still would have multiple vacancies in their starting rotation. While they do have some bright young arms in their system, they don't really have anyone who is knocking on the door to the big leagues quite yet. Tyler Beede would be an interesting option and I'm sure he'll get a look in spring training but he hardly instilled any optimism after his return from Tommy John surgery this season. Not writing him off just yet, I know it takes a while to bounce back from that which is why I think he still factors somewhat into the Giants plans. 

Aside from Beede there's Sammy Long, who pitched well in spots for the Giants in 2021 and was a member of the taxi-squad in the NLDS. That's about it though as far as the in-house candidates go. I just don't see the Giants going from the best team in baseball in 2021 to filling out their rotation with a bunch of question marks in 2022. Whether it's returning some of their own guys or venturing out into the trade market or free agency, I expect them to line up some quality arms behind Webb.