Projecting the Giants 2027 Opening Day Roster Before Free Agency Begins

An initial 26-man projection shows San Francisco’s current options and the jobs that await free agency, trades and health updates

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The San Francisco Giants can assemble an initial 2027 Opening Day roster from their current player pool. Several of those assignments remain open competitions and priorities for outside help.

This version projects 13 position players, five starters, and eight relievers under the current roster limits. It assumes the included arbitration-eligible players are retained, and the injured candidates recover sufficiently to play. 

Free agency technically opened Oct. 29. Players can begin signing with new clubs Nov. 2, making this a baseline before the broader market opens. 

Grant McCray and Braxton Roxby have left the organization. Andrew Knizner was outrighted, and JT Brubaker became a free agent. Those changes are reflected here. 

The Position Players: 13 Spots With Several Jobs Open

San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee and shortstop Willy Adames. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Position	Player	Projection Status
C	Daniel Susac	Provisional starter; knee recovery
C	Drew Cavanaugh	Backup; competition open
1B	Bryce Eldridge	Regular; first base/DH split provisional
SS	Willy Adames	Core starter
3B	Matt Chapman	Core starter; health-dependent
DH	Rafael Devers	Core hitter; health-dependent
IF	Marcelo Mayer	Second-base competition; bench candidate
IF	Christian Kross	Utility; spot vulnerable to additions
LF	Bo Davidson	Provisional starter; job open
CF	Harrison Bader	Health and roster status conditional
RF	Jung Hoo Lee	Core starter
OF	Drew Gilbert	Reserve; center-field alternative

The Giants’ initial lineup projection supplied a starting point for the everyday assignments. Eldridge gets the primary first-base job, with Devers receiving most DH starts. Their distribution remains subject to health and the organization’s defensive plans.

Catcher remains an opening for an addition. Susac’s recovery from a fractured left kneecap makes his workload uncertain. Cavanaugh fills the second catching spot provisionally, while Jesús Rodríguez remains an internal option. A veteran signing could change either assignment.

Second base and left field remain competitions. Schmitt gets the initial nod at second, but Mayer needs an opportunity to challenge him. If Mayer makes the roster, the Giants should have a meaningful playing-time plan for him. Koss supplies utility coverage, although another position-player addition could squeeze that bench arrangement.

Davidson receives the first opportunity in left field. Gilbert and Victor Bericoto are alternatives, and a veteran addition could change the balance.

Bader’s inclusion assumes both sufficient recovery and continued retention. His place in the club’s plans remains unresolved. Gilbert and Jonah Cox provide center-field alternatives if that assumption changes. 

Chapman and Devers also must complete their recoveries. Their expected spring returns support including them in the baseline, while any setback would require a revised alignment.

The Pitchers: 13 Candidates With Major Vacancies

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Position	Player	Projection Status
Rotation	Logan Webb	Core starter
Rotation	Landen Roupp	Core starter
Rotation	Adrian Houser	Health and assignment conditional
Rotation	Matt Wilkirson	Internal placeholder; job open
Rotation	Yunior Marte	Internal placeholder; job open
Bullpen	Randy Rodriguez	Return and workload conditional
Bullpen	Camilo Doval	Late-inning candidate; tender pending
Bullpen	Trent Harris	Relief candidate
Bullpen	Keaton Winn	Health-dependent
Bullpen	Jose Butto	Health and tender decision pending
Bullpen	Sam Hentges	Left-handed option; tender pending
Bullpen	Dylan Smith	Relief competition; job open
Bullpen	Carson Seymour	Length option; job open

These are projected assignments within the current player pool. The Giants’ offseason priorities still call for substantial pitching additions.

The final two rotation jobs are open. Webb and Roupp provide the clearest foundation. Houser enters this version as a starter, subject to health and role decisions.

Wilkinson recorded a 3.58 ERA in 27.2 innings during 2026. Marte posted a 4.44 ERA in 24.1 innings. Those small samples justify further evaluation, with Anthony Molina and Cesar Perdomo also competing. Neither placeholder represents a settled starting job.

Hayden Birdsong, Trevor McDonald, Carson Whisenhunt and Blade Tidwell remain outside this Opening Day projection of their Tommy John recoveries. 

The closer job and other late-inning assignments remain unsettled. Rodríguez pitched in the Arizona Fall League during his recovery, but his workload and assignment still need evaluation. 

Doval’s inclusion reflects his current team control. His return depends on a contract decision, as the Giants’ Doval analysis explained. Buttó and Hentges also face tender decisions; returning pitchers must demonstrate readiness.

Harris, Smith, and Seymour fill provisional relief spots. Additional signings could push incumbents into different roles or off the projected roster. Rowan Wick could also enter this group, depending on his option decision and health. Ryan Walker and Tristan Beck remain alternatives within the current pool. 

The update priorities are clear: two rotation openings, dependable late-inning help, catching depth and the competition at second base and left field. Center field also requires another look if Bader’s status changes.

The next version should follow significant signings, trades, option decisions, non-tenders, and medical updates. Each change should identify who enters the 26, who leaves, and which role remains open. That will show which roles San Francisco strengthened and which still need attention.