Trio of former SF Giants players, including hard-throwing reliever, elect free agency

29 players recently became free agents with the season coming to an end. One of those 29 players was speedy outfielder Bryce Johnson. On top of this, a trio of former Giants players became free agents as well, including Reyes Moronta, Matt Beaty, and Kevin Padlo.

Trio of former SF Giants players, including hard-throwing reliever, elect free agency

For all of the players, this was a formality as each player had over six years of minor league service time. Their respective contracts expired, so they hit the open market again.

Among the three new free agents, Moronta is the most notable from the bunch. The right-handed reliever is well known among Giants fans. He debuted for the club in 2017 and established himself as one of the better relievers in San Francisco's bullpen over the next couple of seasons.

He tallied a 2.66 ERA in his first three years with the Giants before suffering a scary injury on the mound in a game against the San Diego Padres in 2019. After releasing a ball to home plate, Moronta collapsed to the ground while grabbing his shoulder. He sustained a torn labrum in his pitching shoulder that knocked him out for the following season as well.

The 30-year-old returned to the mound in 2021 but with diminished velocity and below-average control. He made just four appearances for the Giants that year but struggled during his time in Triple-A before he was outrighted off the 40-man roster and became a free agent.

The reliever's velocity has ticked back up over the past couple of years as he has appeared with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels. Hopefully, the improved velocity is a sign that he is back to full health.

On the other hand, Matt Beaty and Kevin Padlo had very short stints in a Giants uniform. Padlo tallied two hits in 12 at-bats for the Giants last year when San Francisco and the Seattle Mariners were trying to set a new record for most trades between two teams in one season.

In a bit of a surprise, Beaty made the Opening Day roster this year after being in camp with the Kansas City Royals. He recorded one hit in five at-bats with the Giants, but he did pitch one inning in relief. The left-handed bat cleared waivers in May and became a free agent where he returned to the Royals for 67 plate appearances to finish out the year. All three will be looking for new teams this winter.