MLB free agent rumors: SF Giants expected to sign 'one top-end' Scott Boras client
As the sweepstakes for several top free agents continues into 2024, the SF Giants remain expected to make some big splashes, according to a report on Wednesday by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan. In his latest recap of rumors from around the league, Passan noted that opposing teams expect the Giants to land at least one of the top remaining free agents.
Padres ace Blake Snell pitches against the SF Giants at Petco Park. (2023)
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
"One team opposing organizations expect to sign at least one top-end Boras client: the San Francisco Giants, who pursued Ohtani and Yamamoto, only to see the Los Angeles Dodgers guarantee the pair more than $1 billion," Passan wrote. "San Francisco needs talent badly, even after the addition of free agent Jung Hoo Lee on a $113 million deal. Whether it's Chapman (San Francisco could slot him at third base and use J.D. Davis at DH), Snell (who would look mighty good in a rotation with Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Ross Stripling and rookie Kyle Harrison) or both, the Giants have the money and incentive to make a splash."
It's worth noting that Boras' prominence in this free agent class is partially responsible for the slow developing market. Boras represents the four best remaining free agents, outfielder Cody Bellinger (#4-ranked free agent), left-handed starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (#5-ranked free agent), left-handed starting pitcher Blake Snell (#6-ranked free agent) and third baseman Matt Chapman (#7-ranked free agent). Granted, Passan only mentioned Chapman and Snell in relation to the Giants.
Bellinger remains one of the most intriguing free agents in recent seasons. The 2019 NL MVP, Bellinger was once one of the best young hitters in the league before a series of injuries seemingly derailed his career from 2021-2022. Then, out of nowhere, Bellinger's production rebounded this past season with the Cubs. He hit .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs this year with the lowest strikeout rate of his career. However, process metrics, suggest that Bellinger is no longer the power hitter he was early in his career. Still, he is excellent defensively at every outfield spot and is only 28.
Montgomery may not have the upside of some of the other starting pitchers entering free agency, but the lefty has been a consistent mid-rotation starter since he debuted with the Yankees back in 2017. Montgomery completed a career-high 188 regular-season innings this season and showed no signs of slowing down during the Rangers' deep postseason run. It has been suggested that he would prefer to land with a team on the East Coast, however.
Snell, the reigning National League Cy Young winner, undeniably has the highest upside among the remaining free agent pitchers. Snell has already won a pair of Cy Youngs in his career, but has also struggled to be consistently elite throughout his career. Snell, a Seattle-native, has been expected to stay on the West Coast and has already been tied to the Giants.
While Chapman became a household name as a star with the Oakland Athletics early in his career, he remained a top third baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays. His offensive numbers have taken a step back over the past few seasons, but he remains elite defensively and has graded out well by Statcast's advanced metrics.
The SF Giants have already landed center fielder Jung Hoo Lee in free agency, but they undeniably need to make some more big acquisitions to have a successful offseason. According to a report by Jeff Passan, many folks around the league think San Francisco will get another deal done with a top Boras client.
