SF Giants likely need to make a move from roster surplus at first base

As currently constructed, the SF Giants will enter 2025 with a roster surplus at first base and DH with LaMonte Wade Jr., Wilmer Flores, and Jerar Encarnación. They likely will need to make a move from this group to free up a roster spot for a more pressing need.

SF Giants likely need to make a move from roster surplus at first base

In no surprise, the Giants tendered Wade Jr. a contract for 2025. He is projected to earn $4.7 million next season according to MLB Trade Rumors, but that detail still needs to be resolved. That is not a prohibitive amount by any means, especially considering the lefty bat's production at the plate.

Overall, Wade Jr. slashed .260/.380/.381 (119 wRC+) with a 15.5 percent walk rate, 22.4 percent strikeout rate, and .121 ISO in 401 plate appearances last season. While those are solid numbers, there was a pretty sharp decline in his numbers in the second half after he returned from a hamstring strain.

Wade Jr. may be the only player with any real trade value from this group. That value is modest, given that he only has one year of team control remaining. If the Giants are not motivated to retain him beyond 2025, then it makes sense to move him now.

The Giants have Wilmer Flores and Jerar Encarnación on the roster as well. On paper, they likely see Flores and Wade Jr. forming a pretty strong platoon battery at first base. That was not the case at all last season as Giants first basemen posted a .699 OPS with 14 home runs and 65 RBI. This was hardly Wade Jr.'s fault as he performed quite well at the plate.

However, Flores struggled badly before finishing the season on the injured list following a knee procedure. The veteran first baseman exercised his $3.5 million player option in November as he would have struggled to find that type of guaranteed money in free agency.

The Giants could still decide to cut ties with Flores as trade interest would be minimal. Though, he is one year removed from recording an .863 OPS with 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 454 plate appearances. The best bet might just be to stick with him to see what he has left to offer.

That leaves Jerar Encarnación. Encarnación made a nice impression with the Giants down the stretch last year. He tallied a .702 OPS with five home runs and 19 RBI in 119 plate appearances with the Giants.

The right-handed bat flashed excellent bat speed but seemingly has a bat path issue as he recorded a ground ball in nearly 50 percent of his batted ball events. The power is real but it plays down due to hitting too many balls into the ground. Plus, he did not hit for enough power to justify his .277 on-base percentage.

Encarnación does not offer much on the bases or in the field, so his potential fit with the Giants likely will be as a first base/DH going forward. And, he really needs to hit for a lot of power if he is going to see time at DH.

Similar to Flores, the Giants could decide to cut ties with Encarnación by placing him on waivers. It feels like they would have done that by now if that was an option. He will be one name to follow in spring training as he has no minor league options remaining, so he will need to make the team out of camp.

This is where the Giants are at with first base and DH. They have some options. Perhaps, too many options and not enough potential value. None of the three are considered long-term fits given that Bryce Eldridge could make his debut as soon as 2025. The Giants have a glut of options and likely need to move one or two options to give the roster more flexibility.