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

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.