Why the San Francisco Giants Should Wait for 2019

With all of the talk about winning in 2018, the San Francisco Giants need to keep an eye on the following season with all of the big-time free agents available.

I know people want to forget about 2017 and win in 2018, but there is a case for waiting.

The 2018 offseason will feature one of the best groups of free agents available.

The Giants have a hole at third base, Manny Machado or Josh Donaldson will be available to the highest bidder.

Right field will need to be filled, Bryce Harper can be had at a steep price.

And while it would take a dream scenario, Clayton Kershaw could be on the open market. Oh how it would be the greatest thing in the world to watch Kershaw win a World Series with the Giants and not the Dodgers.

Of course, the Giants are already trying to get a player of that caliber this offseason in Giancarlo Stanton. But if they wait till next offseason, those are guys you can just sign without having to trade for them.

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If nothing changes, the Giants will have at least $30 million coming off the books after 2018 with Denard Span and Hunter Pence gone.

If the Giants can’t get Stanton this offseason or make any major upgrades, the plan should be to wait.

They should look to shed as much money as possible this year, and set themselves up to go crazy next offseason.

If they can sign just one of Harper or Machado next offseason, the Giants could be contenders for years to come again. And they can do so while building up their farm system with top picks in the 2018 Draft, and possibly in the 2019 Draft as well. Plus, they wouldn’t have to give up the good prospects that they do have in a trade.

Next: What if the San Francisco Giants Don’t Get Giancarlo Stanton?

I understand fans in San Francisco are hungry to win every year, but it makes a lot of sense to set themselves up for a big offseason after the 2018 season.