5 veteran SF Giants players who are slated to hit free agency at the end of the year

5 veteran SF Giants players who are slated to hit free agency at the end of the year

2. Michael Conforto

Michael Conforto's two-year, $36 million pact with San Francisco was not great. It was not bad either. He is probably all too emblematic of the Giants roster in that he is a good hitter but not the high-impact bat that the Giants hoped.

The front office knew they were taking on a risk when they signed him. The veteran outfielder missed all of the 2022 season after undergoing shoulder surgery. It was pretty evident early on that he was rusty after missing a full season.

At the end of the day, the left-handed bat still makes quality contact, flashes above-average bat speed, and hits well away from Oracle Park. Those qualities should help him in free agency even if the Giants are unlikely to be involved in his market.

Overall, Conforto registered a .237/.310/.452 line (112 wRC+) with 20 home runs, 66 RBI, and 56 runs in 484 plate appearances in 2024. This includes an 8.7 percent walk rate, 24.4 percent strikeout rate, and .214 ISO.

The veteran bat's walk rate fell below 10 percent for the first time in his career, so that is partially to explain why his on-base percentage is well below his career .348 mark.

On the road, Conforto posted an .852 OPS while hitting 17 of his 20 home runs. You can bet that his agent, Scott Boras, will be leveraging that data set when marketing Conforto to prospective teams.

5 veteran SF Giants players who are slated to hit free agency at the end of the year

3. Mark Canha

I like Mark Canha. He is a professional hitter who brings an at-bat quality to the table. That said, the modest power numbers he once displayed earlier in his career seems to no longer be there in his age-35 season.

I still do not really understand why the Giants even traded for Canha. This is not a knock on the veteran hitter but their trade deadline approach just did not make much sense.

Canha did just fine in a Giants uniform. He slashed .288/.376/.329 (107 wRC+) with no home runs, four RBI, and four runs in 85 plate appearances after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers. He still grinds out at-bats and reaches base at a solid rate. That trait will appeal to a few teams in free agency even if the power numbers have seemingly vanished.

Defensively, the 10-year veteran is seeing more time at first base but can still be a spot starter in the corner outfield spots. In addition to DH, there are a few ways for him to continue making it into the lineup.

Given Canha's local ties and connections to both Bob Melvin and Farhan Zaidi, I would not rule out a reunion with the Giants on a major league deal with a low, guaranteed salary. At the end of the day, the Giants need a major roster overhaul and that is one roster spot where they can find a higher ceiling, so it makes plenty of sense if they look elsewhere.

4. Curt Casali

When the Giants ran out of catching depth earlier this season, they reunited with Curt Casali. He does not offer much with the bat and the advanced defensive metrics paint him as a below-average backstop. However, pitchers like throwing to him and that still holds value.

The 11-year veteran could continue his career in 2025. He could even return to the Giants on a minor league deal to serve as catching depth. However, Casali could also decide to hang up his cleats. I bet there is a future for him as a coach at some level.

5. Donovan Walton

The Giants added Donovan Walton back to the roster earlier this month. It did not make much sense and likely took away some playing time from some of the younger infielders. That is not Walton's fault whatsoever. That is a criticism of both the coaching staff and front office. In his limited time with the club, he tallied just two hits, including a home run, in 20 at-bats.