The Giants figure prominently in Jim Bowden’s first ranking of the top 100 potential MLB free agents for the 2024-25 offseason. Seven current Giants players made the list, including Blake Snell as the fifth-ranked starting pitcher, Matt Chapman as the No. 7 infielder and Michael Conforto as the sixth-ranked outfielder.
The 2024-25 free-agent class could become one of the deepest and best ever, depending on what happens with a high number of players with different types of options in their contracts. Of course, some of those players will sign extensions, others will have their options exercised by clubs or vested, and others could even decide to retire. Some will choose to opt in, others to opt out, depending on their respective situations. At this point though, all 100 players at least have a pathway to reach free agency after this season.
Here is what Bowden had to say about the Giants who made the list. Read the full top 100 here.
Top starting pitchers
5 of 35: Blake Snell, LHP, Giants (opt-out clause)
The defending NL Cy Young Award winner wasn’t able to land the long-term contract he was expecting in free agency, so he’ll try to duplicate his 2023 dominance so he can opt out and re-enter the market for another try. He has a $30 million player option for 2025. Snell has been shelled in his first two starts with the Giants, yielding nine hits and 10 earned runs over seven innings. However, that shouldn’t be a surprise because he didn’t have a real spring training and San Francisco rushed him to the mound before he was fully ready.
14 of 35: Robbie Ray, LHP, Giants (opt-out clause)
Ray had Tommy John surgery in May 2023 and then the Mariners traded him to the Giants this past offseason. The Giants are hoping he’ll be back on the mound for them in the second half of the season if all goes well. Ray, the 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner, has not had any setbacks to date in his rehab. He is signed for $25 million for 2025 but can opt out if he chooses.
22 of 35: Alex Cobb, RHP, Giants
Cobb underwent hip surgery in late October and then had a setback recently with a flexor strain that delayed his throwing program. The 36-year-old Cobb, who posted a 3.87 ERA in 28 starts last season, is expected to be back on the active roster sometime in May if all goes as planned. When healthy, he’s as good as the salad.
Top infielders
7 of 20: Matt Chapman, 3B, Giants (opt-out clause)
It’s hard to believe Chapman has won “only” four Gold Glove awards in his first seven years in the majors — he’s clearly one of the best defensive third basemen of his era. He also usually has provided 25-home run type power to go along with his career .239 batting average and .328 on-base percentage. He has successive player options at $17 million, $18 million and $20 million over the next three years with buyouts of $2 million, $3 million and $1 million, respectively. I think he only opts out of this contract after the season if he has close to a “career” type performance.
15 of 20: Wilmer Flores, INF, Giants (player option)
The versatile Flores has the ability to play first, second and third base and he’s a consistent offensive performer, averaging approximately 20 home runs and 60 RBIs in each of the past three years. Flores has a 2025 player option at $3.5 million, and if he declines it, the club then has an option at $8.5 million.
Top outfielders
6 of 20: Michael Conforto, OF, Giants
Conforto has been working with Barry Bonds to improve and shorten his swing and has seen early success this season, hitting .292 with four homers and 14 RBIs. He’s hit 20 or more homers three times in his career and 14 or more five times. Conforto is a below-average defender with limited range as shown by his early 24th percentile ranking in outs above average, according to Baseball Savant, and he has a well-below-average arm.
20 of 20: Austin Slater, OF, Giants
Slater slashed .270/.348/.400 with nine doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs coming off the bench last year for the Giants.
(Photo of Blake Snell: Suzanna Mitchell / San Francisco Giants / Getty Images)
