Skip to main content
Around the Foghorn
FanSided

Roster purge leaves SF Giants with only six arbitration-eligible players remaining

Decisions, decisions…
ByJeff Young
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Sep 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (57) and catcher Drew Cavanaugh come off the field during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (57) and catcher Drew Cavanaugh come off the field during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Earlier this week, the SF Giants got back into compliance by activating all of their players from the 60-day injured list. They still have a decision to make on a handful of players, as they have six remaining arbitration-eligible players.

The one wrinkle with that number was Rowan Wick. They had a club option on the veteran pitcher, but declined it. Instead of becoming a free agent, he remains under team control.

The Giants also moved Andrew Knizner, Jason Foley, and José Buttó off the 40-man roster. Knizner and Foley cleared waivers, and they will likely reject a minor league assignment in favor of free agency.

On the other hand, Buttó was claimed off of waivers by the Texas Rangers. He, along with Randy Rodríguez, attained Super Two status, meaning that they reached arbitration one season earlier than normal.

The SF Giants have few slam-dunk cases in arbitration

The Giants now have to decide on the six remaining players. This group includes Wick, Rodríguez, Sam Hentges, Camilo Doval, Ryan Walker, and Casey Schmitt.

There are some easy tender candidates, including Schmitt and Rodríguez. Schmitt had a modest breakout season in 2026 after posting a .784 OPS with 21 home runs and 55 RBI in 409 plate appearances. According to MLB Trade Rumors, He is projected to earn $2.5 million in his first trip through arbitration, which is a bargain.

Rodríguez was an NL All-Star in 2025, but finished that year on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He has continued his rehab in the Arizona Fall League. Rodríguez is projected to earn $800,000, which is another bargain.

The decisions get more complicated with Doval, Walker, Hentges, and Wick. The Giants likely did not claim Doval in the final weekend of the season to not retain him beyond 2026. Presumably, they will agree to terms with him for 2027, but he is projected to see $6.6 million through arbitration. The question might be, will he come in below that number?

Walker is a non-tender candidate. It was a mild surprise that he was retained beyond the initial roster purge. The Giants could be trying to find a trade partner, but it would be a surprise if he was tendered a contract.

It is a toss-up with Hentges and Wick. Hentges’ topline numbers were solid, but he struggled in leverage spots. The Giants signed Wick last year with an eye toward 2027, as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/SF Giants News