1 move the SF Giants could still make to boost their offseason and upgrade the lineup

With less than a month until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, lightly connected Giants target is no longer expected to return to the New York Mets . Could the SF Giants swoop in and take the league by surprise by signing the power-hitting polar bear? It would be the quickest way for the Giants to upgrade the lineup this late into the offseason.

1 move the SF Giants could still make to boost their offseason and upgrade the lineup

The Case for the SF Giants signing Alonso

Alonso is a premier power hitter who has a proven track record of 40 home run and 100 RBI seasons. Even in a relatively down year in 2024, he slashed .240/.329/.459 with 34 home runs and 88 RBIs while posting a 122 wRC+ and 2.1 fWAR. His 24.7% strikeout rate and 10.1% walk rate were on par with his career averages while his max exit velocity has been in the top 3% of the league every year.

An intriguing aspect of this fit is how well his power translates to Oracle Park. According to Statcast data, 208 of Alonso's 226 career home runs are expected to have been home runs in the pitcher-friendly confines of Oracle Park. For a team that has lacked a true power hitter for years, adding Pete Alonso alongside their new addition of Willy Adames would provide a refreshing aspect to the lineup.

An addition like Pete Alonso would energize a fanbase that has longed for marquee acquisitions for years. After several offseasons of missing out on big names like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, an offseason of Pete Alonso and Willy Adames would signal the new regime's commitment to competing in the National League West. For a team that has struggled with offensive consistency, Alonso's ability to hit the long ball and protect other hitters would be invaluable.

The Challenges of Bringing Alonso to the Bay

Despite Alonso's clear strengths, several drawbacks could come with this type of addition. First and foremost, signing him would cost the Giants two more draft picks and $1 million in international bonus pool money due to the qualifying offer the Mets offered and he declined. With one of the weaker farm systems in baseball and already giving draft and signing capital for Adames hurts but it is the tradeoff teams make for long-term deals. Giving up draft capital for a shorter-term deal could conflict with the long-term sustainability that President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey wants to build.

This leads to another probable issue with bringing Alonso to the bay. At this point in the offseason and with how his market has settled, Alonso would likely seek a short-term deal with an opt-out after one or two seasons. The Giants reportedly avoided including an opt-out in their pursuit of Corbin Burnes earlier this offseason, raising questions about whether they'd be willing to compromise their stance for Alonso. Based on this offseason, it seems like Buster Posey is looking for guys who want to call Oracle Park home for a long time, after inking Matt Chapman and Willy Adames to deals that lakced an opt-out.

Defense is another area of concern. Even though at first base this isn't a major issue, it still matters. In 2024, Alonso posted -8 Outs Above Average (OAA), -3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), and a -6 Fielding Run Value (FRV). These numbers express his defensive shortcomings which make him a below-average defensive first baseman and probable DH down the road.

Another piece to think about is how this might affect the Giants top prospect, Bryce Eldridge. Seen as the long-term solution for the Giants at first base, Eldridge could definitely force his way to the majors at some point in 2025. While the organization could DH one while the other plays first, it wouldn't be ideal to risk blocking Eldridge in the second half of this season. The Giants will have to consider whether a short-term boost is worth potentially delaying the development of the best homegrown talent since Buster Posey.

Weighing the Risk and Reward

The decision to pursue Alonso ultimately comes down to balancing immediate impact with long-term consequences. Adding a bat of his caliber would undeniably improve this lineup and push them into the upper echelon of teams in the National League. The possible hits to draft ability and financial flexibility could be steep. Plus, the subpar defense might not be all that appealing to a team that plans to rely on pitching and defense. At the end of the day, these might be risks the Giants would be willing to make if they want to strengthen the middle of the order.