The San Francisco Giants are heading into a pivotal offseason. They’ve got multiple roster gaps to address and a real mandate to get back into contention.
Free agency will play a role, but the front office seems ready to get aggressive in the trade market too. Top prospect Bryce Eldridge, a 21-year-old first baseman with huge offensive upside, is at the center of a lot of chatter right now.
With Rafael Devers locked in at first, Eldridge’s future feels uncertain. President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey keeps saying the team values Eldridge, but rumors won’t quiet down.
The Giants need to bolster their pitching staff, reinforce the bullpen, and shore up the outfield. The next few months? They could totally reshape this roster.
Giants Enter Offseason with Multiple Needs
The 2024 Giants are in flux. The front office knows that minor tweaks aren’t enough—they need real reinforcements to compete in a stacked National League.
The rotation is the biggest concern. They need at least two starting pitchers to stabilize things.
The bullpen had its struggles last season. Several relievers are needed, and a proven closer would help a lot.
Starting Pitching Remains the Top Priority
Posey’s focused on young, controllable arms, not just short-term fixes. Names floating around include:
- Hunter Greene (Cincinnati Reds) – Power pitcher, ace-level upside, and years of control left.
- Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins) – Strong command, low WHIP, and reliable in the middle of the rotation.
- MacKenzie Gore (Washington Nationals) – Athletic lefty, still has a lot of potential to unlock.
Other arms like Tarik Skubal or Freddy Peralta might be available, but their contracts don’t really fit what the Giants want long-term.
Bryce Eldridge: The Key Trade Chip
Eldridge, just 21, is already one of the purest power hitters in the Giants’ system. With Devers set at first base, though, there’s not a clear path for him to play every day in San Francisco.
Posey’s made it clear: the organization values Eldridge, but in the right deal, everyone’s on the table. That puts Eldridge squarely in the spotlight as the team’s most valuable trade asset.
Balancing Talent Retention with Immediate Needs
The front office faces a tough call. Trading prospects like Eldridge, or arms such as Hayden Birdsong and Carson Whisenhunt, could bring instant upgrades, but it’d hurt future depth.
It’s a real balancing act. Every move this winter could shift the team’s long-term trajectory.
Outfield and Catching Depth
Right field is wide open. The Giants have looked at Drew Gilbert, Luis Matos, and Jerar Encarnación as possible trade pieces, but Gilbert’s connection to new manager Tony Vitello might keep him around.
There’s even been talk about blockbuster trades for catching help. Some whispers have linked the Giants to Adley Rutschman from the Orioles, though pulling off a deal like that would take a monster package.
Free Agency vs. Trades
Trades get all the attention, but the Giants can still dip into free agency. Posey’s open to using both avenues, but he leans toward players with years of control, so trades might make more sense if the fit is right.
Timing and Expectations
Fans probably shouldn’t expect massive deals during the GM meetings. Posey tends to use that time for groundwork and feeling things out.
But as the winter meetings get closer, history says the Giants could strike. With Eldridge’s name still out there and the team hunting for controllable starters, don’t be surprised if things heat up late in the offseason.
The Bigger Picture
After barely missing the postseason, San Francisco wants to upgrade in ways that matter for next season and the future. The front office faces a tricky balance: protect the farm system, but also push to win now.
Posey keeps his focus clear: give the Giants what they need to win — not just for one year, but for a long time.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll see if the Giants are really ready to swing big in the trade market. If Bryce Eldridge ends up moving, maybe that’s the first sign of a bold new era by the Bay.
Here is the source article for this story: Why trading Bryce Eldridge could make sense for the Giants
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