Olney: SF Giants Set To Dominate Next Offseason

According to a report by ESPN’s Buster Olney, the SF Giants are poised to be “the biggest offseason winner” in the winter of 2021.

In his weekly column for ESPN (ESPN+ subscription required), Buster Olney reported that sources have told him the SF Giants are unlikely to sign top free agents this offseason but are “incredibly well-positioned” to control next offseason. Of course, the 2021-22 free-agent class appears likely to be the best collection of players to hit the open market in recent history. Francisco Lindor and Noah Syndergaard are just a couple of the best names with contracts set to expire after next season.

While many Giants fans are hoping the president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi will lead the team into the market for top free agents like Trevor Bauer and George Springer, Olney expects the team to continue working along the margins. After finding success on the margins with players like Mike Yastrzemski and Kevin Gausman, the Giants are content filling their roster with players that fit that mold.

Thus far, the Giants moves have indicated they are following the plan Olney suggests. The only non-relievers they have signed to big-league contracts are Anthony DeSclafani, who fits the Gausman mold, and Jason Vosler, who fits the Yastrzemski model. Of course, there’s no guarantee that either will have comparable breakouts in San Francisco.

SF Giants fans are obviously starved for a major offseason acquisition. However, the front office under Farhan Zaidi has consistently preached patience. With uncertainty surrounding the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, it appears the team will continue to sit out the top of the market this offseason.