After what has thus far been a disappointing three-year stretch, the San Francisco Giants face an uncertain future.
It starts at the top, with general manager Farhan Zaidi and first-year manager Bob Melvin both facing questions about their job performance. And even if both are back in 2025, the roster is a much more complicated picture.
In a deep and talented National League West, the Giants have arguably the fourth-best roster this season. Star left-handed pitcher Blake Snell is likely to become a free agent, leaving the Giants without a key arm.
And there's another star who appears likely to join Snell on the market. Third baseman Matt Chapman, a four-time Gold Glover and 2019 All-Star, is reportedly expected to test free agency as well.
According to Jon Heyman, insider for the New York Post, Chapman is expected to opt out of his current three-year deal that includes a player option for 2025. He would need an extension to remain in San Francisco without free agency, which Heyman says the Giants want to do.
"Matt Chapman will surely opt out of $17.5M for ’25 barring an extension (which the Giants would like to do)," Heyman said.
Chapman, 31, is in the middle of a resurgent season, exactly what he needed after signing a short-term deal in San Francisco. He's hit for a 122 OPS+, his best mark since 2019, and he's fourth among all NL position players with 5.6 wins above replacement.
The Giants seem like a natural fit for Chapman, where he joined Melvin, his longtime former manager across the bay with the Oakland Athletics. He plays a great third base behind a staff that induces a lot of ground balls, and he hits well enough to handle Oracle Park.
But as much as the Giants would love to keep Chapman around, they'll have to shell out a much bigger contract than it took to get him there in the first place. Chapman signed after a mediocre 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays, but now, he may be the top corner infielder on the market.
It's hard to see what a contending Giants lineup would look like heading into 2025. But it likely starts with keeping Chapman in the fold.
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