Two obvious free agent reunions would put SF Giants in great spot for 2026

The SF Giants can do nothing but watch as the MLB playoffs unfold. The team is searching for a new manager, but looking ahead to free agency there are a few obvious reunions that would plug holes in the roster.

San Francisco traded away both right fielder Mike Yastrzemski and reliever Tyler Rogers at the trade deadline. The team was in free fall at the time so the deals made sense because the Giants looked like a far cry from a playoff team. 

SF Giants can solve problems by reuniting with two familiar faces this offseason

The irony is that those trades probably helped spur the mini-resurgence the Giants had in late August and early September which nearly got them into the playoffs. By lowering expectations and bringing in a high-energy spark plug like Drew Gilbert, the Giants were able to play free and loose.

Yet, by the end of the year the bullpen was gassed and clearly needed help. Having someone like Rogers, one of the most reliable relievers in baseball, would have done a lot to stabilize things and could have gotten the Giants a couple more wins which is all they would have needed to make the playoffs.

Similarly, having Yastrzemski out in right field would have helped out. The Giants got some brief stretches of greatness from Luis Matos and Gilbert, but they faded away and it became clear that the Giants were missing the more consistent presence of Yastrzemski out there in right field.

Both Rogers and Yastrzemski are going to be free agents this offseason. If the Giants simply went out and brought them both back, it would plug two glaring holes that the team had coming down the stretch.

The two longtime Giants had success with their new teams after being traded. Rogers was solid as ever with the New York Mets as he posted a 2.30 ERA in 28 appearances. Yastrzemski slashed .237/.339/.500 with nine homers and 18 runs batted in with the Kansas City Royals across 50 games.

The Giants could try to upgrade in right field, but it may be difficult. Kyle Tucker will be the big fish in free agency, but there are going to be a lot of teams interested and it will be tough for the Giants to lure a power-hitting lefty like that to San Francisco. Maybe pursuing a trade would be a more prudent approach. If those measures fail then bringing back Yastrzemski is a good backup plan, although another team could swoop in and sign him if the Giants drag their feet.

Rogers should also draw interest from a number of teams given his consistency. Relievers are always in high demand and there are not many eighth inning relievers around who are better. 

It is not going to be easy for the Giants to bring either player back, but given the fact both players spent their entire big league career with the Giants prior to being traded, they may find some comfort in going back to familiar surroundings and trying to help the Giants reach the playoffs again.