Ranking the top 3 priorities for the SF Giants this offseason

Ranking the top 3 priorities for the SF Giants this offseason

3. Power-hitting corner outfielder

The Giants realistically need to add three or four notable hitters to the lineup. The lineup slashed .239/.305/.396 (97 wRC+) with an 8.1 percent walk rate, 24.0 percent strikeout rate, and .157 ISO. That is a lineup with too many strikeouts, too few walks, and not nearly enough power.

The Giants will likely start next season with Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee as two of the three primary outfielders in the lineup. They could tender Mike Yastrzemski a contract as well, but this is an area they really should consider upgrading.

Giants outfielders posted a .720 OPS while being worth 3.8 fWAR. The defense was one of the weaker areas but should be improved with Lee in center field and Ramos correctly used as one of the corner outfielders.

Nevertheless, the 3.8 fWAR was 21st among team outfield groups in 2024, meaning that there is still plenty of room to upgrade.

Juan Soto will be the biggest free agent available. The Giants will be in the mix given that they are a big-market club but they do not have a great track record of landing the top free agents in baseball. Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, respectively, fit what the Giants need as well.

Tyler O'Neill of the Boston Red Sox had a surprising 2024 campaign in which he posted an. 847 OPS with 31 home runs in 473 plate appearances. However, he does not have much of a predictable track record, so there is plenty of inherent risk.

If the Giants miss out on those targets, there is a pretty notable drop off in terms of talent. They could pivot to adding more of a full-time DH such as Joc Pederson instead but that is typically a tough roster spot, especially for a team that is lacking in athleticism.