Four former SF Giants Fan Favorites available in free agency

There are several former SF Giants who endeared themselves to fans during their time with the team that are still on the free agent market. Are any of them a fit with the team?

These players were key parts of the various San Francisco Giants championship runs and chances are that Giants fans remember exactly where they were when they performed acts of heroism that led to the Giants winning a ring.

While it is highly unlikely that any of these players will re-sign with the Giants prior to the 2022 season, there is still a possibility that a team could sign them to a minor league deal and invite them to compete for a roster spot in Spring Training.

Without further ado, let's dive right into the four former Giants fan favorites who find themselves without a team to call home.

1. Joe Panik

Since Joe Panik was released by the Giants in 2019, he has bounced around a little bit. He finished 2019 with the New York Mets before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 and then got traded to the Marlins last season before being designated for assignment in October.

Panik has struggled to regain the form he had early in his career with the Giants. His average has dwindled in the low .200s and last season with both the Blue Jays and Marlins he recorded a dismal OBP of .266. Some have been much less charitable in their analysis of his play last year, writing that he was, "one of the worst position players in the majors in 2021."

The Giants will not sign him because they already have plenty of options at second base. Plus, his poor performance recently does not make him jump off the page when teams are looking for depth options for their roster.

Joe has also dealt with injuries much as he did during his time with the Giants. That coupled with his poor play may make it difficult for him to find a home before the 2022 season. However, if he still wants to play there is probably some team out there that will sign him to a minor league deal to see if there is any possibility that he can rekindle some semblance of his younger self.

No matter what, Joe Panik has endeared himself in the hearts of Giants fans forever for his clutch postseason play in 2014 and one of the greatest double plays ever turned in World Series history. Let's hope that Panik can find a good home in 2022 and see if he can regain some of his old form.