The San Francisco Giants have tried acquiring top players via trades or free agency in recent years. But whether it was Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper, Shohei Ohtani, or Yoshinobu Yamamoto (among others), they’ve come up empty.
Does the streak end this winter by signing starting pitcher Jack Flaherty and shortstop Willy Adames to big-money deals?
This will be a crucial few months for the Giants as Buster Posey attempts to reshape the roster in his first offseason as president of baseball operations. While third baseman Matt Chapman has been extended for six years and $151 million, other issues need attention.
Blake Snell opting out leaves a hole in the starting rotation. Posey also said they want to acquire a shortstop, per the San Francisco Chronicle’s Shayna Rubin. Two free agents who could solve those problems are Flaherty and Adames.
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Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter is predicting San Francisco signs both this winter. “If the Giants can walk away with a star shortstop and a quality No. 2 starter this winter, it would be a major step in the right direction after years of hovering around the .500 mark,” he said.
Flaherty posted a 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 194 strikeouts in 162 innings for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. That would pair nicely at the top of the Giants’ rotation with ace Logan Webb. MLB Trade Rumors is predicting the hurler will land a five-year, $115 million deal.
Adames would give Posey’s club a consistent offensive force at shortstop. The 29-year-old has posted a .757 OPS while averaging 29 home runs, 31 doubles, 97 RBI and 83 runs scored since 2022. He’s also appeared in at least 139 games each year. MLBTR predicts Adames will land a six-year, $160 million contract via free agency.
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