SF Giants: Three players who will not be back in 2021

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jeff Samardzija #29 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the San Diego Padres in the first inning of game two of their double header at Oracle Park on September 25, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2 of 4

Jeff Samardzija #29 of the SF Giants pitches against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park on September 25, 2020. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

SF Giants Player Who Won’t Be Back: Jeff Samardzija

Jeff Samardzija was one of the biggest disappointments for the Giants in 2020. Coming off a solid 2019 season, expectations were high for Samardzija to help carry the rotation. Instead, he was its weakest link.

From the get-go, Samardzija struggled mightily, recording a 9.88 ERA in his first three starts of the season before landing on the injured list.

He did not return to action until the last series of the season against the San Diego Padres. He looked solid for a few innings but eventually got knocked around to end his season and likely his career in San Francisco.

Zaidi has surprised us before by bringing some longtime Giants (like Hunter Pence) back, but those moves made sense on a team needing depth and power. Bringing Shark back would not make a whole lot of sense as the Giants need to retool their rotation with arms they can trust next season.

Shark has indicated he wants to keep playing in 2021. While it almost certainly will not be with the Giants, let us all hope he can find his form with whatever organization he ends up with (just hopefully not another team in the National League West).