After posting the third-worst record in the major leagues in the second half of 2016, the Giants enter the offseason with a handful of major holes to fill before they can hope to compete for their fourth title in eight years next season. Luckily, there are a number of big name players about to hit the open market this winter, and while not all would be a perfect fit for San Francisco, most would undoubtably improve an already talented roster.
Here’s our list of the top 20 upcoming free agents and whether we think the Giants should target them:
1. Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Mets
Stats: .280/.354/.530, 31 HR, 86 RBI, 134 H, 72 R
Age: 30
Does he fit: Absolutely. The Giants desperately need a power hitter and big arm, and Cespedes brings both.
2. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B/3B, Blue Jays
Stats: .263/.357/.529, 42 HR, 127 RBI, 158 H, 99 R
Age: 33
Does he fit: He’s won’t be the long term answer because of his age, but how can you ignore those numbers.
3. Aroldis Chapman, RP, Cubs
Stats: 58.1 IP, 36 SV, 1.55 ERA, 90 K’s, 18 BB
Age: 28
Does he fit: He should be the Giants’ top target. He’ll immediately quell all the 9th inning woes.
4. Josh Reddick, OF, Dodgers
Stats: .281/.345/.749, 10 HR, 37 RBI, 112 H, 53 R (115 games)
Age: 29
Does he fit: Not really. Fills a need in the outfield, and is excellent defensively, but doesn’t add power and will cost a pretty penny.
5. Kenley Jansen, RP, Dodgers
Stats: 68.2 IP, 47 SV, 1.83 ERA, 104 K’s, 11 BB
Age: 29
Does he fit: Yep. He had the best season of his career and the Dodgers controlled 9th innings with him. Is in the midst of a dominating postseason.
6. Jose Bautista, OF, Blue Jays
Stats: .234/.366/.452, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 99 H, 68 R (116 games)
Age: 35
Does he fit: It seems like his career has hit its peak.
7. Mark Trumbo, OF, Orioles
Stats: .256/.316/.533, 47 HR, 108 RBI, 157 H, 94 R
Age: 30
Does he fit: Behind Cespedes, probably the idea outfield candidate for the Giants. Would likely be their biggest power hitting threat in over a decade.
8. Dexter Fowler, OF, Cubs
Stats: .276/.393/.447, 13 HR, 48 RBI, 126 H, 84 R
Age: 30
Does he fit: Since the Giants signed Denard Span to fill this role last off season not really, but Fowler is younger and better than Span in just about every facet of the game.
9. Mike Napoli, 1B, Indians
Stats: .239/.335/.465, 34 HR, 101 RBI, 133 H, 92 R
Age: 34
Does he fit: If he’s willing to play third base, his type of power bat is exactly what the Giants need.
10. Ian Desmond, OF, Rangers
Stats: .285/.335/.446 22 HR, 86 RBI, 178 H, 107 R
Age: 31
Does he fit: For sure, and he can play infield in a pinch. He was Washington’s shortstop for six seasons.
11. Andrew Chasner, SP, Marlins
Stats: 132.0 IP, 5-11, 5.25 ERA, 112 K’s, 60 BB
Age: 30
Does he fit: Not really, but a down year will hurt his market and he could be a solid backend starter.
12. Carlos Gomez, OF, Astros
Stats: .231/.298/.384, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 95 H, 45 R (114 games)
Age: 30
Does he fit: He had a down year, but there’s just not enough power there. No. 13 on this list might be too high.
13. Justin Turner, 3B, Dodgers
Stats: .275/.339/.493, 27 HR, 90 RBI, 153 H, 79 R
Age: 31
Does he fit: He would fit in at third base, but these were career-best numbers. Can he continue to post 90 RBI?
14. Kendrys Morales, DH, Royals
Stats: .263/.327/.468, 30 HR, 93 RBI, 147 H, 65 R
Age: 33
Does he fit: Probably not because he’s played DH for a few years. But boy, those power numbers standout.
15. Rich Hill, SP, Dodgers
Stats: 110.1 IP, 12-5, 2.12 ERA, 129 K’s, 33 BB
Age: 36
Does he fit: Matt Moore is the Giants’ backend lefty in the rotation. This move wouldn’t make sense.
16. Bartolo Colon, SP, Mets
Stats: 191.2 IP, 15-8, 3.43 ERA, 128 K’s, 32 BB
Age: 43 (5-foot-11, 285 ponds)
Does he fit: Ty Blach is looking like the No. 5 starter, but Colon is much better than Matt Cain and Jake Peavy.
17. Mark Melancon, RP, Nationals
Stats: 71.1 IP, 47 SV, 1.64 ERA, 65 K’s, 12 BB
Age: 31
Does he fit: Of course. He’s not a power pitcher, though. He doesn’t fear batters in the 9th inning.
18. Neil Walker, 2B, Mets
Stats: .282/.347/.476, 23 HR, 55 RBI, 116 H, 57 R
Age: 31
Does he fit: Not with Joe Panik here, although the Giants moved on from Matt Duffy. Never say never.
19. Michael Saunders, OF, Blue Jays
Stats: .253/.338/.478, 24 HR, 57 RBI, 124 H, 70 R
Age: 29
Does he fit: At age 29 and coming off a career season with a .815 OPS, he is an ideal candidate to add to the outfield, as long as the price is right.
20. Brandon Moss, OF, Cardinals
Stats: .225/.300/.484, 28 HR, 67 RBI, 93 H, 66 R
Age: 32
Does he fit: He’s the same age as Angel Pagan who he’d likely be replacing in left field, but is a better overall hitter and would add some power to the lineup.
