Hunter Strickland and other controversial ex-SF Giants available in free agency

There are plenty of former SF Giants available in free agency this offseason. Some were well-liked during their time in San Francisco while others were not so popular. Let's take a look at three controversial former Giants who are free agents.

Free agency has slowed down a little bit with many of the big fish off the board. However, there are a lot of players Giants fans will be familiar with who still remain available in free agency. A reunion does not really make sense with any of them, but it is always fun to take a trip down memory lane and revisit some players who get Giants fans riled up.

Hunter Strickland

Former Giants reliever Hunter Strickland needs no introduction. He was called up to the Giants in 2014 and impressed with a high-velocity fastball that earned him a spot on the postseason roster. He went on to surrender six home runs that postseason, including a moon shot to Bryce Harper which would have ramifications later on. To be fair, he did record the save in the 18th inning of Game 2 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals, but other than that he struggled.

Of course, three years later he intentionally hit Harper with a pitch which resulted in a brawl. Given how long it took then-catcher and current president of baseball operations Buster Posey to move towards the mound after Strickland plunked Harper, it is safe to assume a reunion will not be in order.

Matt Moore

Many Giants fans still disagree with the front office's decision to trade fan-favorite infielder Matt Duffy to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for starting pitcher Matt Moore. The Giants had a horrendous second half after that move and lost in the 2016 playoffs despite a valiant effort from Moore in Game 4 of the NLDS.

Moore has bounced around a lot since he left the Giants in 2017. He has had some success as a reliever in recent years, but 2024 was not kind to him as he posted a 5.03 ERA in 48 and 1/3 innings pitched. The lefty free agent should find a new home in 2025, but it will most likely not be with the Giants.

Trevor Gott

2020 was a blur of a year for many reasons, but Trevor Gott's inability to get outs that year is still remarkable. Gott had a 10.03 ERA with the Giants that season in 11 and 2/3 innings pitched. Gott converted four out of six save attempts that season, but he blew games consecutively and had a three game stretch where he surrendered five earned runs, four earned runs, and two earned runs which is why his ERA was in the stratosphere.

Posey watched that season from his couch as he opted out of that COVID-plagued season, but if he caught any of Gott's collapses on TV it is safe to assume he will not be back in the orange and black.

None of these players bring back fond memories for Giants fans which is why it is pretty safe to assume none of them will be back with the Giants. Plus, the Giants are fairly set with their bullpen so veteran additions would be unlikely. But, if the Giants face off against any of these pitchers we can all be reminded of their struggles with the Giants.