These 5 SF Giants have almost certainly played their final game with the team

The SF Giants have wrapped up yet another mediocre season of baseball. As they will surely be looking to improve their roster for 2026, they will almost certainly be saying goodbye to these five players this offseason.

These 5 SF Giants have almost certainly played their final game with the team

1. Justin Verlander

While the Giants have expressed interest in bringing back Justin Verlander this offseason, a reunion feels unlikely. The 42-year-old veteran has been their best starting pitcher for the last month and will finish the season with a record of 4-11 with an ERA of 3.85 in 29 starts.

Verlander spoke positively about his time with the Giants after his final start on Saturday, but at this point in his career he is chasing wins. He will wants 300 career wins which is a lofty goal as he only has 266, but with him planning to pitch next year he probably wants to go to a team where he will have fewer of his leads blown. He should probably have at least 7 or 8 wins on the season so it would not be a big shock if he is pitching somewhere else in 2026 given he characterized the year as a struggle.

2. Wilmer Flores

Wilmer Flores has been a good player for the Giants for a long time. His first season was back in 2020 and he has been a solid contributor ever since. This season was a bit of a resurgence for him as he slashed .242/.307/.380 with 16 home runs and 71 runs batted in after injuries limited him in 2024.

Unfortunately for Flores, first base is likely to be covered by Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge next season. There just will likely not be room for Wilmer on the roster next year and he is going to be a free agent. Hopefully another team takes a chance on him and he can continue his career.

3. Dominic Smith

Dominic Smith will most likely not be back with the Giants in 2026 for the same reason as Flores: there is not enough room. Smith's primary position is first base and that spot is going to be filled.

Despite this, the Giants would probably love to retain Smith given how valuable he has been this season both at the plate and with his glove. He slashed .284/.333/.417 with five homers and 33 runs batted in while providing above-average defense at first base.

Those numbers will probably be good enough to earn him a starting job or at least a platoon role at first base with another team in the offseason which is why a reunion with the Giants, where he would most likely be limited to bench duties for a large chunk of the season, seems unlikely.

4. Andrew Knizner

The Giants cycled through several backup catchers to Patrick Bailey this season. Andrew Knizner ended up seeing the most opportunities by the end of the year and was fine behind the plate while sporting a .221 batting average in 77 at-bats.

The Giants are probably hoping Jesus Rodriguez, the prospect acquired in the Camilo Doval trade with the New York Yankees, will claim the backup role in spring training next year and serve as a nice offense-first complement to Bailey so that does not leave room for Knizner on the team.

5. Luis Matos

The corner outfield spots, at the very least right field, seem like areas the Giants will address in the offseason. Luis Matos will likely not factor into the equation as he was demoted yet again at the end of the season despite doing some positive things at the plate.

It seems the Giants like Drew Gilbert as their fourth outfielder going into next season and with Matos out of options it would not be surprising if the Giants try to trade him this offseason or if they designate him for assignment after spring training next year if he does not make the major league team. He has promise, but just has not been consistent enough to warrant a spot on the roster.

The Giants will have a lot of familiar faces back in 2026, but do not expect these five Giants to be back with the team next year.

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