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Ranking the Top 4 Utility Free Agents the SF Giants should Target

By Allen Settle |
San Francisco Giants v Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants v Los Angeles Dodgers / Meg Oliphant/GettyImages
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The SF Giants rightfully enter the MLB offseasons in a prime position to make an offseason splash. After trying but failing to acquire superstars like Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa in recent years, the franchise would greatly benefit from a star power infusion in the form of someone like Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, or even Cody Bellinger.

Ranking the Top 4 Utility Free Agents the SF Giants should Target

While this glaring need for star power should undoubtedly be the Giants' top priority, the club also needs to address several other depth issues. Thankfully, signing the right utility player could fill the team's need for infield and outfield depth, and overall speed, in one swift motion. And, even more fortunately, four ideal targets are readily available in this year's free agency class.

4) Adalberto Mondesi, BOS

There is an alternate universe in which Adalberto Mondesi is one of the hottest free agents in the 2023 class. Flashback to a stretch from 2018-2022, when the former Royal was the league's most dangerous base stealer. Mondesi's blistering sprint speed allowed him to average 33 stolen bases during that three-year span, with his high mark being 43 in 2019. Add in a .244 career batting average and modest but solid power abilities, and the young SS was one of the most unique weapons in baseball.

However, injuries have derailed what was once a star-level career. A series of significant knee and shoulder injuries (highlighted by an ACL tear) have limited him to just 50 games over the past two seasons. While he is expected to be healthy by Opening Day 2024, his rash of serious injuries will likely scare many teams away.

It is difficult to gauge Mondesi's value and potential market. However, if the price is reasonable, he would be a great utility infielder for the San Fransisco Giants. While his primary position has been shortstop, he does have MLB experience at 2B (68 games), 3B (20 games), and DH (11).

His health is clearly a gamble. But, if he is able to recapture even a portion of his former glory, Mondesi would be an excellent bench infielder and pinch runner.

Ranking the Top 4 Utility Free Agents the SF Giants should Target

3) Isiah Kiner-Falefa, NYY

The veteran Kiner-Falefa is the most versatile utility player in this free-agency class. A serviceable bat throughout his career, the former Yankees' and Rangers' starter holds a career .261 batting average and averages seven homers and 19 steals per 162 games.

Additionally, he has MLB experience at (*takes deep breath*) shortstop (312 games), 3B (154), outfielder (78), catcher (73), 2B (21), DH (4), and even pitcher (4). What more could the SF Giants hope for in their first bat off the bench?

With a projected market value of only $6.4 per season, the free agent Swiss-Army-Knife is an ideal candidate for a utility-needy team like San Fransisco. Once they settle their top needs in free agency, IKF is an ideal target.

2) Justin Turner, BOS

Justin Turner offers the best bat of any utility player on the free agency board. He is a two-time All-Star, an NLCS MVP, and a World Series champion with a .288 career average and 162-game averages of 20 homers and 80 RBI.

While the 39-year-old is in the twilight of his career, he is still a dangerous hitter with a very component bat. And, despite his age, the veteran still boasts a surprising amount of positional flexibility, appearing at 1B (41 games), 2B (10), 3B (7), and DH (98).

Turner's current market value projections stand at $8.6 million per season. He is the perfect candidate for the Giants if the club elects to target a bat-first, infield heavy, talent to fill out their bench.

Ranking the Top 4 Utility Free Agents the SF Giants should Target

1) Amed Rosario, LAD

It's an ironic progression. Of the players highlighted in this article, Turner is the superior hitter. IKF features the best glove, and Mondesi is the top baserunner. However, Amed Rosario is the best overall combination of each of these skills.

As a hitter, the former Dodgers infielder has proven to be a steady hitter. He is a career .272 batter that features modest power (12 homers per 162 games) and solid speed (19 steals per 162 games). While neither of these totals is earth-shattering, it does feel as though the 27-year-old still has room to develop in both areas.

Additionally, Rosario has the ability to slide from shortstop (752 career games), 2B (36), and outfield (25). While his glove is inconsistent, one cannot help by wonder if a very deep SF Giants' coaching staff could help the former top prospect recapture some of his once-elite potential.

I would not trust Rosario as an everyday starter on a team with legitimate postseason expectations. However, as a utility bat and first player off the bench, Rosario features the positional flexibility, speed, youth, and upside that checks all the boxes for San Fransisco.

With a projected annual market value of just $6.3 million per season, he is a worthy candidate to join the SF Giants in 2024 and beyond.

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