Breaking down SF's roster options for 2022

Breaking down SF's roster options for 2022

October 27th, 2021

A busy offseason awaits the Giants, who will soon be tasked with making several key decisions on pending free agents and other members of their deep roster. In anticipation of the start of free agency, here’s a primer on players who had notable roles on the team this year and their outlooks for 2022:

• Five questions facing Giants this offseason

CATCHER

($22 million club option for 2022)

The Giants would love to have Posey back following his resurgent 2021 campaign, but the 34-year-old catcher suggested that he’s in no rush to make a decision about his future. Posey said he was looking forward to spending more time with his four kids and added that he plans to sit down with his wife, Kristen, to discuss the possibility of playing again.

(third-year arbitration eligible)

Serving as Posey’s backup, Casali excelled defensively, though he didn’t produce much at the plate. He’s under team control for one more season, but he could be a non-tender candidate if the Giants decide to pair Posey with their top catching prospect, Joey Bart, in 2022.

(pre-arbitration)

Bart, 24, is close to big league ready after spending the bulk of the 2021 campaign at Triple-A Sacramento. The Giants will have to decide whether to bring him into the fold next year, or use him as a trade chip to address other needs on their roster.

FIRST BASE

(free agent)

President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi made it clear that retaining Belt, who has developed into one of the top hitters in baseball over the past two seasons, will be a priority for the Giants. San Francisco is likely to extend Belt, 33, a one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer, but that wouldn’t preclude the two sides from potentially working out a longer-term deal this offseason.

• The lowdown on FA 1B Brandon Belt

SECOND BASE

(free agent)

Solano, 33, won the National League Silver Slugger Award at second base last year, but his production dipped as he became more of a role player in 2021. With several second-base options -- Tommy La Stella, Wilmer Flores, Thairo Estrada and Mauricio Dubón -- expected to return next year, Solano’s odds of re-signing with the Giants appear slim.

(signed through 2023)

La Stella appeared in only 76 games in his first season with the Giants due to injuries, but he’s in line to start at second base and bat leadoff against right-handed pitching in 2022.

SHORTSTOP

(signed through 2023)

A rejuvenated Crawford emerged as the Giants’ leading NL MVP candidate this year, providing crucial stability on both sides of the ball. He is expected to remain a centerpiece of his hometown team after earning a two-year, $32 million extension in August.

THIRD BASE

(signed through 2022, club option for '23)

Longoria slumped down the stretch, but he was still by far the Giants’ best defensive option at the hot corner. The 36-year-old veteran will be entering a contract year in 2022, but he’s shown that he can still be productive at this later stage of his career.

(pre-arbitration)

Vosler appeared in only 41 games after making his Major League debut in April, but the left-handed hitter should be a candidate to help spell Longoria in 2022.

UTILITY PLAYERS

(free agent)

Bryant underwhelmed after coming over from the Cubs at the Trade Deadline, so it remains to be seen if the Giants will be willing to re-sign the superstar to a long-term deal. San Francisco can certainly afford to make that type of commitment, but the front office might prefer to use its resources on Posey and Belt, as well as rebuild the starting rotation.

• The lowdown on FA 3B/OF Kris Bryant

($3.5 million club option for 2022)

Flores’ presence allowed the Giants to withstand injuries to several of their starting infielders throughout the season, so he’s almost certain to be back for a third season in San Francisco. The 30-year-old figures to once again draw most of his starts on the right side of the infield against left-handed pitching.

(pre-arbitration)

Estrada was left off the Giants’ postseason roster despite recording a career-high .813 OPS in 2021, a sign of the depth the club accumulated in 2021. He’s earned a chance to get more looks in the middle infield in 2022, and he could get that opportunity with Solano slated to hit free agency.

(pre-arbitration)

Dubón was projected to be the Giants’ starting center fielder and backup shortstop out of Spring Training, but he was demoted to Triple-A Sacramento after struggling to find his form offensively. If he can continue to take steps forward with his plate discipline, he could force his way back into the roster mix in 2022.

OUTFIELDERS

(first-year arbitration eligible)

Yastrzemski wasn’t quite the revelation that he was in his first two seasons with the Giants, but he still finished second on the team with a career-high 25 home runs. He is likely to remain a significant piece of the outfield puzzle in 2022.

(second-year arbitration eligible)

Slater has carved out a clear role on the club, as he mostly starts in center field and bats leadoff against lefties.

(second-year arbitration eligible)

Ruf has crushed left-handed pitching throughout his career, but he also drew praise from the Giants for the quality of his at-bats against righties. He will be a candidate to play more first base in 2022 should Belt depart via free agency.

(pre-arbitration)

Wade quickly became a fan favorite after bursting onto the scene with the Giants this year. If he can hold his own against lefties, Wade could take on an even bigger role in 2022.

(pre-arbitration)

Known for his elite speed and defense, Duggar flashed his offensive potential during promising stretches in 2021, but he’ll have to do so on a more consistent basis to secure a regular role in the outfield next year.

(third-year arbitration eligible)

Dickerson has the ability to carry the offense when he’s hot, but he never quite seemed to find his rhythm this year, making him a non-tender candidate this winter.

STARTING PITCHERS

RHP (free agent)

Gausman’s results dipped in the second half, but he was the Giants’ most durable starter in 2021, leading the club with a 2.81 ERA over a team-high 33 starts. San Francisco is expected to have interest in re-signing the 30-year-old as it attempts to restock its rotation this offseason.

• The lowdown on FA righty Kevin Gausman

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Webb is the lone starter locked into the Giants’ rotation for next year, but he’s a budding ace who shined under the brightest of lights in October. With three elite pitches -- sinker, slider and changeup -- it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Webb continue his ascent in 2022 and beyond.

RHP (free agent)

DeSclafani enjoyed a career year in his first season with San Francisco, posting a 3.17 ERA over 31 starts in 2021, which likely puts him in line to command a multiyear deal in free agency.

LHP (free agent)

Wood missed three weeks following a bout with COVID-19 in September, but he pitched well down the stretch and in the playoffs. Like Gausman and DeSclafani, Wood figures to parlay his bounce-back campaign in San Francisco into a more lucrative deal in free agency.

RHP ($22 million club option for 2022)

The Giants are likely to pay Cueto a $5 million buyout rather than exercise his club option, so it’s possible the 35-year-old veteran has made his final appearance for San Francisco.

LHP (pre-arbitration)

Long experienced ups and downs after making his Major League debut in June, but he should have an opportunity to compete for a starting role next spring given the number of vacancies in the Giants’ rotation.

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Beede struggled to regain his command after returning from Tommy John surgery; he appeared in only one game with the Giants before being demoted to Triple-A Sacramento. While he's been a breakout candidate for the last couple of seasons, Beede may be running out of time to show that he can develop into a regular starter in the Majors.

RELIEVERS

LHP (signed through 2022, club option for '23)

McGee converted a career-high 31 saves in 2021, but it’s unclear if he’ll remain the Giants’ preferred ninth-inning option next year, particularly following the emergence of young flamethrower Camilo Doval.

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Despite surrendering the go-ahead run in Game 5 of the NL Division Series, Doval flashed lights-out stuff down the stretch, showing why he’s likely the closer of the future for San Francisco.

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Rogers logged a 2.22 ERA while leading the Majors in relief appearances (80) for the second consecutive year, establishing himself as one of the Giants’ most trusted back-end arms.

LHP (free agent)

Watson pitched well after being re-acquired by the Giants at the Trade Deadline, though he was left off the postseason roster due to a left shoulder injury. He’ll be entering his age-37 season in 2022, so it’s unclear what his market will look like in free agency.

RHP (third-year arbitration eligible)

Leone was a jack of all trades for the Giants, serving as an opener, closer and a reliable right-handed option while fashioning a 1.51 ERA over 57 appearances.

LHP José Álvarez ($1.5 million club option for 2022)

Álvarez was a bargain for the Giants this year, posting a 2.37 ERA over 67 appearances while stranding 28 of 36 inherited runners. Exercising his option should be an easy call, and he’ll likely be a key cog in the bullpen again next year.

LHP (second-year arbitration eligible)

García is a trusted lefty relief option and logged a 2.62 ERA over 58 appearances in 2021.

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Castro, 22, impressed after earning his first callup in September, working 13 1/3 scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts over 10 outings down the stretch. He’ll likely have a chance to compete for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen next spring.

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Signed to a Minor League deal over the offseason, Littell emerged as another quality right-handed relief option for the Giants this year, recording a 2.92 ERA over 63 appearances.

RHP (arbitration eligible)

Brebbia wasn’t particularly sharp after completing his rehab from Tommy John surgery in June, so he could be a non-tender candidate.

RHP (pre-arbitration)

Santos, 21, received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance in June, but he’s reportedly topped out at 103 mph in the Arizona Fall League, so he’ll likely have a chance to remain in the bullpen mix in 2022.