While there will still be plenty of movement throughout the remainder of the MLB offseason, the San Francisco Giants don’t have a much different look than they did at the end of the 2025 regular season.
The Giants have been linked to several free agents thus far, most notably the top starting pitcher on the market in Framber Valdez, but they maintain a familiar look heading into the holidays.
San Francisco is in need of starting pitching, with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray being the lone unquestionable MLB-level starting pitchers that are currently slotted into the Giants’ rotation.
As far as the lineup goes, San Francisco could also use a second baseman and right fielder. If the Giants opt to stand pat and refrain from adding position players in free agency, Casey Schmitt and Luis Matos will enter Spring Training with a leg up at those positions, respectively.
Having Rafael Devers in uniform for a full season will help, but it’s hard to envision team president Buster Posey rolling out the same lineup and expecting better results after a 2025 season that saw San Francisco finish 81-81, missing the postseason for the fourth consecutive year.
The Giants are currently slotted at 12th on the MLB salary cap tracker sheet for the 2026 season at $169 million. How much flexibility will Posey have to upgrade this roster before Opening Day in March?
Let’s take a look at the current San Francisco Giants roster:
Lineup
There are currently a lot of question marks in the San Francisco Giants lineup.
Devers is unlikely to play the majority of his games at first base. Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ top prospect, is in line to battle for the Opening Day first baseman job.
Casey Schmitt, Patrick Bailey, and Luis Matos have all had their struggles at the plate during their time at the big league level.
Adding a position player would be wise for San Francisco, and if Posey doesn’t want to add another big-salary talent like Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, or Bo Bichette, a utilityman like Luis Arraez, Luis Renigfo, or Isaiah Kiner-Falefa could help provide some flexibility.
Rotation
With Justin Verlander also entering free agency, the San Francisco Giants need to add at least one starter this offseason.
They’ve been linked to Framber Valdez and are rumored to be a landing spot for Max Scherzer, who is very close with Giants manager Tony Vitello–but is adding Scherzer enough?
San Francisco should look to make a splash here. Adding Valdez or trading for Brewers ace Freddy Peralta would go a long way in making the Giants competitive in the loaded National League West.
Bullpen
The Giants’ bullpen is also full of concerns.
Can San Francisco find multiple upgrades on the free agent and trade markets? Gone are arms like Edwin Diaz (Dodgers), Devin Williams (Mets), and Ryan Helsley (Orioles).
We’ll see if the Giants can plug some holes with other options on the market before reporting for Spring Training in Febraury.
More San Francisco Giants content from Sactown Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte’s name has been heavily mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, but the San Francisco Giants may have trouble throwing their hat into those discussions.
While the Giants have been reported to be in the mix for starting pitching options, such as free-agent ace Framber Valdez and veteran free-agent Max Scherzer, they have also been linked to second base options as San Francisco evaluates upgrades across the board.
If the Giants are to attempt a trade for Marte, they will have to navigate the 32-year-old’s no-trade list that includes five teams, with San Francisco being one of the unpreferred destinations.
According to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal, the San Francisco Giants are among those teams listed on Marte’s no-trade list, joining the Athletics, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Report: Giants, A’s included on Ketel Marte’s no-trade list
Upcoming San Francisco Giants & MLB Offseason Schedule
Early-January – MLB Arbitration Negotiations
Mid-February – Pitchers & Catchers report for Spring Training
Saturday, February 21st – @ Seattle Mariners (Spring Training Opener)
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