Pair of SF Giants players from the 2024 season find new homes for 2025

While there were plenty of big moves during the winter meetings, there were several smaller ones as well. A pair of SF Giants players from the 2024 season have found new homes. Thairo Estrada has joined the Colorado Rockies, whereas Alex Cobb signed with the Detroit Tigers.

Pair of SF Giants players from the 2024 season find new homes for 2025

It was reported last week that the Rockies were showing interest in Estrada. The New York Yankees were reportedly interested in a reunion as well.

Estrada began the year as the Giants' starting second baseman. However, he struggled to a .590 OPS with nine home runs and 47 RBI in 381 plate appearances. Estrada did battle a wrist ailment that likely affected his overall production at the plate. He continued to play above-average defense at second base before his tenure unceremoniously came to an end in late August.

From 2022 - 2023, the right-handed bat proved to be one of the team's more valuable players. During that stretch, he registered a .727 OPS with a 5.1 percent walk rate, 19.5 percent strikeout rate, and .142 ISO. He also stole 44 bases in 57 opportunities.

When he is healthy, Estrada offers a nice balance between speed and power. Plus, he was seen as a leader in the clubhouse as he earned the 2023 Willie Mac Award.

The Rockies recently non-tendered Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers had served as the team's starting second baseman for the past couple of years but this creates a clear path to playing time for Estrada.

On the other hand, Alex Cobb joins the Detroit Tigers on a one-year, $15 million deal. His contract highlights the high cost of starting pitching this winter. This is not to say that Cobb is overpaid at that rate but he did only make three starts during the regular season in 2024.

The veteran pitcher strung together a pair of solid seasons with the Giants in 2022 and 2023 but spent the first four months of the year on the injured list. Before he was healthy enough to return, Cobb was shipped to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for two prospects. The move allowed him to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Yankees knocked out the Guardians in five games during the ALCS.

Cobb reunites with Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Harris worked as San Francisco's general manager when Cobb signed his two-year, $20 million pact that included a team option for 2024.