8 free-agent position-player targets for Giants

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The Giants have struck out on several high-profile free-agent pursuits in recent years, but they’ll have a chance to renew their quest for impact talent this offseason.

With an acute need for star power and plenty of financial flexibility, San Francisco is expected to be active as it attempts to upgrade a roster that has fallen short of expectations in two consecutive years.

Let’s break down potential free-agent fits for the Giants, beginning with position players:

1. Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH
2023 stats: .304/.412/.654, 44 HR, 95 RBIs, 20 SB; 3.14 ERA, 132 IP, 167 K, 23 starts
Ohtani is obviously a two-way player, but we’re listing him among position players for this exercise since he isn’t expected to pitch in 2024 after undergoing right elbow surgery in September. Even still, Ohtani remains the prize of the offseason, as he could bolster the lineup with his big left-handed bat and help bring fans back to Oracle Park, which ranked 17th in the Majors in attendance this past season.

2. Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF
2023 stats: .307/.356/.525, 26 HR, 97 RBIs, 20 SB, 130 G
President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi loves reuniting with former Dodgers, so expect the Giants to be in the mix for the 28-year-old Bellinger, who rediscovered his MVP-caliber form with the Cubs after being non-tendered last offseason. Aside from his offensive prowess, Bellinger could bring speed and athleticism in center field, a priority spot for the Giants this offseason.

3. Jung Hoo Lee, CF
2023 KBO stats: .318/.406/.455, 6 HR, 45 RBIs, 6 SB, 86 G
Lee, 25, is another intriguing center-field option, as he’s expected to be posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization this winter. His 2023 campaign was cut short by a left ankle fracture, but he earned KBO League MVP honors last year and is viewed as an elite contact hitter who can play above-average defense in center.

4. Matt Chapman, 3B
2023 stats: .240/.330/.424, 17 HR, 54 RBIs, 4 SB, 140 G
Chapman played under Bob Melvin with the A’s and was spotted chatting with his former manager during the General Managers Meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., last week, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Giants try to lure him back to the Bay Area. Chapman, 30, put up similar offensive numbers to J.D. Davis in 2023, but he continued to differentiate himself with his game-changing defense, winning his fourth career Gold Glove Award at third base earlier this month.

5. Kevin Kiermaier, CF
2023 stats: .265/.322/.419, 8 HR, 36 RBIs, 14 SB, 129 G
If the Giants miss out on Bellinger and Lee, they could end up pivoting to a veteran like Kiermaier, a four-time Gold Glove winner who led American League center fielders with 13 Outs Above Average in 2023.

6. Harrison Bader, CF
2023 stats: .232/.274/.348, 7 HR, 40 RBIs, 20 SB, 98 GAnother center-field alternative would be Bader, who won a Gold Glove with the Cardinals in 2021 but has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. The 29-year-old hasn’t played in more than 103 games since 2019, so he could be a risky bet considering the Giants will also need bounce-back seasons from fellow outfielders Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger next year.

7. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
2022 stats: .246/.332/.462, 30 HR, 79 RBIs, 2 SB, 156 G
Hoskins, 30, missed the entire 2023 season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during Spring Training, but he’s been an above-average hitter when healthy, slugging at least 27 homers in each of his four full seasons in the Majors. A Sacramento, Calif., native, Hoskins could relish a return to his home state, especially now that the Phillies have committed to using Bryce Harper as their starting first baseman.

8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, INF/OF
2023 stats: .242/.306/.340, 6 HR, 37 RBIs, 14 SB, 115 G
The Giants plan to give No. 2 prospect Marco Luciano a chance to be their everyday shortstop in 2024, but they’ll likely be in the market for a backup option like Kiner-Falefa, a super-utility man who appeared at seven positions -- including pitcher -- for the Yankees in 2023.