Nine Giants who could be playing final season with SF in 2021

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It might not seem like it to most Giants fans, but Farhan Zaidi and Scott Harris have actually led one of the busier front offices over the last three months. The Giants have signed three starting pitchers, a backup catcher and two reliable right-handed relievers to deals totaling just over $30 million this offseason, and they're still looking for a left-handed bat and at least one more starter. In one of the quietest hot stove seasons in MLB history, they have filled a lot of holes, but that's nothing compared to what's ahead of them.All of the additions have come on one-year deals, lining up with franchise cornerstones who are headed into walk years. The end result is a roster with just one player -- Evan Longoria -- who has a guaranteed contract for 2022. There are plenty of others, like Mike Yastrzemski, Alex Dickerson and Mauricio Dubon -- who will be under team control or going through arbitration, but the Giants will have decisions to make on a lot of key contributors 10 months from now.As we wait for more action from the 2020-21 offseason, here's an early look at guys who are inching up on free agency, with some thoughts on what the organization might decide next offseason.

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<p>A three-time champion who won an MVP award, has dealt with a couple of major injuries, been on a 98-loss team, and opted out of a season, Posey has seen just about everything as a big leaguer. But he has not experienced free agency. </p>

<p>The Giants signed Posey to a nine-year, $167 million deal after his MVP season in 2012. It was the longest deal in franchise history and the biggest at the time for an MLB player with less than three years of service time. "Ideally," Larry Baer said that day, "Buster will be wearing a Giants uniform for the entirety of his career, which is our goal."</p>

<p>Posey now is approaching his 34th birthday, and while the Giants got every bit of value out of the deal, a lot has changed in the last couple of seasons. Posey's offensive numbers have tailed off to the point it seems likely the Giants would pay the $3 million buyout for 2022 instead of picking up the $22 million option. Joey Bart is nearly ready and Patrick Bailey could be an option at some point next season. Posey knows the future is uncertain. </p>

<p>"It's kind of appropriate for the time, I guess. It's the way it's felt for everyone for a year now," Posey said over the phone recently. "It's the unknown."</p>

<p>A lot could change over the next eight months. If Posey has a bounce-back year like the next two guys on this list just did, the Giants might decide picking up the option makes sense from a baseball and business perspective (the No. 28 jerseys still fill the shelves). Regardless, his defensive work and leadership make him valuable, even in a lesser role.</p>

<p>The Giants let Madison Bumgarner walk, but for either side, it's hard to see how something doesn't get done to keep Posey in San Francisco throughout his career. He has said that's what he wants, and this is one player who should get that extra respect from ownership as his career winds down.</p>

A three-time champion who won an MVP award, has dealt with a couple of major injuries, been on a 98-loss team, and opted out of a season, Posey has seen just about everything as a big leaguer. But he has not experienced free agency. 

The Giants signed Posey to a nine-year, $167 million deal after his MVP season in 2012. It was the longest deal in franchise history and the biggest at the time for an MLB player with less than three years of service time. "Ideally," Larry Baer said that day, "Buster will be wearing a Giants uniform for the entirety of his career, which is our goal."

Posey now is approaching his 34th birthday, and while the Giants got every bit of value out of the deal, a lot has changed in the last couple of seasons. Posey's offensive numbers have tailed off to the point it seems likely the Giants would pay the $3 million buyout for 2022 instead of picking up the $22 million option. Joey Bart is nearly ready and Patrick Bailey could be an option at some point next season. Posey knows the future is uncertain. 

"It's kind of appropriate for the time, I guess. It's the way it's felt for everyone for a year now," Posey said over the phone recently. "It's the unknown."

A lot could change over the next eight months. If Posey has a bounce-back year like the next two guys on this list just did, the Giants might decide picking up the option makes sense from a baseball and business perspective (the No. 28 jerseys still fill the shelves). Regardless, his defensive work and leadership make him valuable, even in a lesser role.

The Giants let Madison Bumgarner walk, but for either side, it's hard to see how something doesn't get done to keep Posey in San Francisco throughout his career. He has said that's what he wants, and this is one player who should get that extra respect from ownership as his career winds down.

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<p>Aside from Posey, Crawford long has seemed the likeliest to finish his career in orange and black. Born and raised in the Bay Area, he's the ultimate homegrown prospect, and in 2015 he signed a $75 million deal that will take him through his age-34 season. </p>

<p>After a down 2019, Crawford made some adjustments and put up his best offensive numbers in 2020, and the defense was a strength as usual. But his future might depend in large part on how the Giants feel about others.</p>

<p>Top prospect Marco Luciano could be ready at some point next season, and the Giants are about to take a blank checkbook into a 2021-22 offseason that is highlighted by the best crop of free agent shortstops in MLB history. </p>

<p>Regardless of what Crawford does this season, Zaidi and Harris could decide to chase a Carlos Correa or Corey Seager or Francisco Lindor, if he hits the open market. If they leave the spot open for Luciano, it would make a lot of sense to keep Crawford around, especially given how right-handed the Giants are when it comes to current infielders and top prospects.</p>

Aside from Posey, Crawford long has seemed the likeliest to finish his career in orange and black. Born and raised in the Bay Area, he's the ultimate homegrown prospect, and in 2015 he signed a $75 million deal that will take him through his age-34 season. 

After a down 2019, Crawford made some adjustments and put up his best offensive numbers in 2020, and the defense was a strength as usual. But his future might depend in large part on how the Giants feel about others.

Top prospect Marco Luciano could be ready at some point next season, and the Giants are about to take a blank checkbook into a 2021-22 offseason that is highlighted by the best crop of free agent shortstops in MLB history. 

Regardless of what Crawford does this season, Zaidi and Harris could decide to chase a Carlos Correa or Corey Seager or Francisco Lindor, if he hits the open market. If they leave the spot open for Luciano, it would make a lot of sense to keep Crawford around, especially given how right-handed the Giants are when it comes to current infielders and top prospects.

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<p>It's well known that the Giants have failed to develop a backup plan for Crawford over the last decade, but not many talk about the fact that they haven't developed homegrown contributors at the corners, either. Over the years Belt has mostly been backed up by Posey. </p>

<p>Belt once was popular in trade talks, but as he comes to the end of a five-year extension, he's a favorite of this new coaching staff and front office, and he had elite numbers in 2020, posting an OPS+ of 178 that made him one of the league's most dangerous hitters. Belt turns 33 this year, but if the 2020 numbers were real, keeping him around on a multi-year deal wouldn't be a bad idea. His eye at the plate and glove at first will always give him value. </p>

<p>Long-term, the Giants have 2019 second-rounder Logan Wyatt in the system now, but he hasn't played above Low-A ball. They also could save first base time for Bart or Bailey, particularly if Posey is still around. Both young catchers did drills there at the alternate site.</p>

It's well known that the Giants have failed to develop a backup plan for Crawford over the last decade, but not many talk about the fact that they haven't developed homegrown contributors at the corners, either. Over the years Belt has mostly been backed up by Posey. 

Belt once was popular in trade talks, but as he comes to the end of a five-year extension, he's a favorite of this new coaching staff and front office, and he had elite numbers in 2020, posting an OPS+ of 178 that made him one of the league's most dangerous hitters. Belt turns 33 this year, but if the 2020 numbers were real, keeping him around on a multi-year deal wouldn't be a bad idea. His eye at the plate and glove at first will always give him value. 

Long-term, the Giants have 2019 second-rounder Logan Wyatt in the system now, but he hasn't played above Low-A ball. They also could save first base time for Bart or Bailey, particularly if Posey is still around. Both young catchers did drills there at the alternate site.

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<p>Cueto has been a Giant for five years but has made just 82 starts because of Tommy John surgery and the shortened season. He had a 5.40 ERA in 2020 but the Giants are hopeful that he can find his old rhythm in the final year of a $130 million deal he signed in 2015, when the franchise was desperate for innings-eaters and handed huge contracts to Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. </p>

<p>Of the really familiar faces, Cueto easily is the best bet to be elsewhere in 2022. If he pitches really well, he could be a trade chip in July or find the type of market next offseason this front office has stayed away from. If he pitches poorly, the Giants will turn the page.</p>

<p>The previous front office believed Cueto would age gracefully because of how creative he is on the mound, but the current group has prioritized guys with high-upside repertoires and a willingness to sign one-year deals. Cueto doesn't look like a fit beyond this season. </p>

Cueto has been a Giant for five years but has made just 82 starts because of Tommy John surgery and the shortened season. He had a 5.40 ERA in 2020 but the Giants are hopeful that he can find his old rhythm in the final year of a $130 million deal he signed in 2015, when the franchise was desperate for innings-eaters and handed huge contracts to Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. 

Of the really familiar faces, Cueto easily is the best bet to be elsewhere in 2022. If he pitches really well, he could be a trade chip in July or find the type of market next offseason this front office has stayed away from. If he pitches poorly, the Giants will turn the page.

The previous front office believed Cueto would age gracefully because of how creative he is on the mound, but the current group has prioritized guys with high-upside repertoires and a willingness to sign one-year deals. Cueto doesn't look like a fit beyond this season. 

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<p>The Giants talked about a multi-year deal for Gausman early in the offseason, but ultimately he returned by signing the one-year qualifying offer. That won't be an option next time around. Zaidi said recently that a longer deal has "been a backburner item for us" but is "something we certainly could revisit."</p>

<p>Gausman likes San Francisco and the front office believes he has more room for growth. If that's the case, he could be signed to that multi-year deal, serving as a mentor for the next generation. The Giants will have to pay up this time, though. Gausman's next market won't be limited by draft pick compensation. </p>

The Giants talked about a multi-year deal for Gausman early in the offseason, but ultimately he returned by signing the one-year qualifying offer. That won't be an option next time around. Zaidi said recently that a longer deal has "been a backburner item for us" but is "something we certainly could revisit."

Gausman likes San Francisco and the front office believes he has more room for growth. If that's the case, he could be signed to that multi-year deal, serving as a mentor for the next generation. The Giants will have to pay up this time, though. Gausman's next market won't be limited by draft pick compensation. 

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<p>They are the latest in what is becoming a long line of veteran starters who come to San Francisco in hopes of rebuilding their value. It worked for Drew Pomeranz, Gausman and Drew Smyly, all of whom cashed out the next offseason. Smyly perhaps is the best comparison here, as he turned a solid run in San Francisco into an $11 million deal with the Braves.</p>

<p>The Giants hoped to bring Smyly back, and Zaidi said the same might be true of DeSclafani and Wood next offseason. "They want to bet on themselves and re-enter the market a year from now," he said. "And that market could certainly include us if they perform the way we think they can and they're hoping to."</p>

<p>There's another possibility for these two, though, one that wasn't fully available in the shortened season with a weird trade deadline. If the Dodgers and Padres are as good as they look and DeSclafani and Wood are as good as Zaidi and Harris hope, they could become good trade chips in July. For now, they're being counted on to help the Giants stay competitive. </p>

They are the latest in what is becoming a long line of veteran starters who come to San Francisco in hopes of rebuilding their value. It worked for Drew Pomeranz, Gausman and Drew Smyly, all of whom cashed out the next offseason. Smyly perhaps is the best comparison here, as he turned a solid run in San Francisco into an $11 million deal with the Braves.

The Giants hoped to bring Smyly back, and Zaidi said the same might be true of DeSclafani and Wood next offseason. "They want to bet on themselves and re-enter the market a year from now," he said. "And that market could certainly include us if they perform the way we think they can and they're hoping to."

There's another possibility for these two, though, one that wasn't fully available in the shortened season with a weird trade deadline. If the Dodgers and Padres are as good as they look and DeSclafani and Wood are as good as Zaidi and Harris hope, they could become good trade chips in July. For now, they're being counted on to help the Giants stay competitive. 

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<p>We're nearly three full offseasons into the Zaidi Era and, incredibly, Flores is the only player thus far who has gotten a multi-year deal. The Giants signed him for two years (plus a club option) last February in a deal that looks absolutely brilliant.</p>

<p>Flores hit a dozen homers and was worth 1.3 WAR in 55 games last year and will be hitting in the middle of the lineup in 2021 for just $3 million. </p>

<p>The Giants hold a $3.5 million club option for 2022 with a $250,000 buyout, and if Flores, 29, hits anywhere close to the way he did last year, it's a no-brainer to pick that up, especially with the universal DH almost certainly coming to the NL. </p>

We're nearly three full offseasons into the Zaidi Era and, incredibly, Flores is the only player thus far who has gotten a multi-year deal. The Giants signed him for two years (plus a club option) last February in a deal that looks absolutely brilliant.

Flores hit a dozen homers and was worth 1.3 WAR in 55 games last year and will be hitting in the middle of the lineup in 2021 for just $3 million. 

The Giants hold a $3.5 million club option for 2022 with a $250,000 buyout, and if Flores, 29, hits anywhere close to the way he did last year, it's a no-brainer to pick that up, especially with the universal DH almost certainly coming to the NL. 

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<p>The Giants had a huge class of arbitration-eligible players this offseason and failed to reach a deal with just one of them, their starting second baseman. They're likely to go to a hearing with Solano, who asked for $3.9 million, per MLB.com, with the Giants countering at $3.25 million.</p>

<p>The Giants will have Solano at one of those two numbers in 2021, but this is his final year in arbitration and he'll turn 34 next offseason. Solano has earned the right to go out there and find someone willing to give him a life-changing multi-year deal, but that's not at all the type of player this front office has been attracted to. Between Flores, Dubon, and the next class of non-roster invitees (which Solano once was), the Giants should be able to get by in 2022 until Will Wilson is ready.</p>

The Giants had a huge class of arbitration-eligible players this offseason and failed to reach a deal with just one of them, their starting second baseman. They're likely to go to a hearing with Solano, who asked for $3.9 million, per MLB.com, with the Giants countering at $3.25 million.

The Giants will have Solano at one of those two numbers in 2021, but this is his final year in arbitration and he'll turn 34 next offseason. Solano has earned the right to go out there and find someone willing to give him a life-changing multi-year deal, but that's not at all the type of player this front office has been attracted to. Between Flores, Dubon, and the next class of non-roster invitees (which Solano once was), the Giants should be able to get by in 2022 until Will Wilson is ready.

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