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Legacy SF Giants utility bat among minor leaguers to elect free agency

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ByJeff Young
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Sep 29, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Darren Baker (10) runs to first base after hitting a single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Darren Baker (10) runs to first base after hitting a single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Earlier this week, a handful of SF Giants players from the 2026 season became free agents. Several other minor leaguers also elected free agency, including Darren Baker, per the team's transaction log.

Electing free agency is the term baseball uses, but it simply means that a player’s contract has expired. Rookie contracts are often for six years, so players selected in the 2020 draft who have not reached the majors are now eligible to hit the open market.

Additionally, teams usually sign veteran minor leaguers to non-guaranteed deals. Unless stated otherwise, those contracts often expire at the end of the year.

Baker was among the players to sign a minor league deal, and his signing came late in the season. Of course, Baker is the son of longtime manager Dusty Baker, who is now up for election to the Hall of Fame.

For the past several seasons, the elder Baker has served as a special advisor to baseball operations for San Francisco. That is often a fluid title, but this role has entailed a lot of work with the Sacramento River Cats.

In the final month of the season, Darren got to work on the same field with Dusty. He posted a .504 OPS with five steals in five attempts across 53 plate appearances. Baker’s offensive profile leans on contact and speed. It would not be surprising to see the Giants reunite with him on another minor league deal, but for now, he has hit the open market.

Onil Perez, Esmerlin Vinicio, Manuel Mercedes, Aeverson Arteaga, Wilkin Ramos, Eddys Leonard, Cristian Alvarado, R.J. Dabovich, Marlon Franco, Jose Ramos, and Alex Carrillo also elected free agency.

Dabovich was selected in the fourth round of the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft. When he was healthy, he proved to be a promising young arm but injuries derailed his career. Dabovich registered a 2.45 ERA in 15 outings split across affiliates in 2026.

Vinicio and Arteaga were some of the top international signings by the Giants in the 2019-2020 class. Arteaga earned a $1 million signing bonus out of Venezuela, followed by a $750,000 signing bonus for Vinicio. Despite the bonus disparity, Vinicio was viewed as the top Giants’ signing from that draft class.

Arteaga flashed intriguing power and versatility earlier in his pro career, but underwent Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery after the 2023 season, and it took time for him to regain his footing.

Oddly enough, Adrián Sugastey was eligible to reach free agency, but he was not listed among the group. Presumably, it is a sign that he has already reunited with the club, but that is purely speculation at this point.

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