Shohei Ohtani is the player on everyone’s minds this offseason, and for good reason. But there are a number of other big name free agents available should the Giants not be able to land the two-way superstar.
Unsurprisingly, many are represented by super agent Scott Boras, who mentioned to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle four players he believes would fit with San Francisco.
Well, technically five. Boras also included pitcher Sean Manaea who recently opted out from the Giants as a player the organization is still keeping tabs on. In addition, Boras discussed starting pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger and third baseman Matt Chapman.
Snell, soon to be 31, is coming off one of the best seasons of his career with the San Diego Padres, where he posted his second-best-ever ERA at 2.25. Snell had some trouble with his control, his 99 BBs led MLB, but his stuff continues to be some of the nastiest in the majors. He’s also an accomplished postseason pitcher, with a 3.33 ERA in 12 appearances, including two in the 2020 World Series.
Snell is expected to garner a contract worth $23.4 million per year on the open market via Spotrac. That would make him the highest paid Giant, but it’s probably worth it, and would reunite Snell with manager Bob Melvin.
Montgomery is another almost-31 left-handed starter, who just won a World Series title with the Rangers after a mid-season trade from the Cardinals. Montgomery was dialed when pitching for Bruce Bochy, posting a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts and posted a 2.63 mark in the postseason in eight appearances. He’s projected to come a little cheaper at $18.4 million via Spotrac.
On the position player end, the Giants know Cody Bellinger all to well, specifically his season-spoiling heroics in the 2021 postseason. That version of Bellinger was struggling mightily, but the 29-year old right-handed hitter thrived this season in Chicago. Bellinger slashed an impressive .307/.356/.525 with 26 bombs in nearly 500 at-bats. Bellinger is also versatile defensively. He can play center or first base, while also being a DH option. Bellinger is expected to be worth about $22.5 on the open market.
Finally there’s Chapman, who Bay Area are also familiar with after his time manning the hot corner for the Oakland A’s. Chapman, a four-time Gold Glover, would fill a major need at third, and is coming off another solid season at the plate with Toronto, slashing .240/.330/.424. Chapman, 30, is considered the cheapest of the options, at around $17.2 million in annual salary.
In an offseason where the pressure is officially ramped up on Farhan Zaidi, expect the Giants to make moves for multiple players of this caliber, especially if they don’t land Ohtani.