The three largest IFA signing bonuses in SF Giants history

The 2026 international signing period is set to open in a couple of days. Let's take a look at the largest investments made by the SF Giants in the past.

The three largest IFA signing bonuses in SF Giants history

The Giants have long been connected to middle infield prospect Luis Hernández out of Venezuela, but they will have one of the smallest bonus pools available. That is due to the signing of Willy Adames last offseason.

The Giants were penalized due to the signing, along with crossing the luxury tax in 2024. This signing period is the final downstream effect from those penalties.

Hernández is projected to receive a signing bonus in the neighborhood of $5 million. When the deal is finalized, it will become one of the largest investments by the Giants in this channel.

1. Lucius Fox - $6 million

The Lucius Fox signing is a cautionary reminder that deals are not complete until the ink dries on the contract. In the days leading up to the 2015 - 2016 international signing period, the Los Angeles Dodgers were expected to land Fox.

However, the Giants came in at the final moment to land the middle infielder out of the Bahamas. At the 2016 trade deadline, he was shipped to the Tampa Bay Rays, along with Matt Duffy, in a four-player deal to acquire Matt Moore.

Later in his pro career, Fox appeared briefly with the Washington Nationals in 2022. He tallied two hits in 25 at-bats. Of course, both of those hits came in game against the Giants. The Nationals secured an 11-5 victory that day.

2. Josuar Gonzalez - $2.9 million

Josuar Gonzalez out of the Dominican Republic was one of the top prospects in last year's class. He received a sizable commitment from the Giants, and has quickly emerged as one of the better prospects in baseball since then.

Gonzalez posted an .859 OPS with four home runs, 24 RBI, and 52 runs in 228 plate appearances during the Dominican Summer League (DSL) last season. This included 33 steals in 38 opportunities. In a fascinating discussion from Baseball America, Ben Badler makes the case that the switch-hitting infielder would have been in consideration for the top pick if he was in the 2025 draft.

3. Rayner Arias - $2.7 million

Rayner Arias has a promising pro debut, recording a 1.333 OPS with four home runs and 21 RBI in 76 plate appearances in the DSL in 2023. That season ended prematurely due to a wrist injury, and his 2024 season was slowed by another wrist ailment as well.

Arias struggled to a .625 OPS in 208 plate appearances split across two levels in the lower minors last season. Despite the struggles, MLB Pipeline likes his power upside and views him as a prospect who could make a jump in the Giants system in 2026.