When the 2025 season ended, four SF Giants players chose free agency, the headliner being Justin Verlander. Spring training officially opens this week, and all four players are still unsigned.
All four SF Giants free agents still unsigned for the 2025 season
The other three players were Wilmer Flores, Dominic Smith and Tom Murphy. The Giants had a team option on Murphy which he declined. This was not a surprising result, as the veteran backstop had made only 38 plate appearances in two seasons with the Giants. He received a $250,000 buyout.
Slightly surprising is that Verlander and Smith have yet to find a new home for this upcoming season. The Giants have left the door open for a future Hall of Famer to return, but they have completed their rotation with the additions of Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle.
Verlander got off to a slow start with San Francisco, but the numbers were solid overall. He posted a 3.85 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 1.36 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 and 2.63 SO/W rate in 29 starts. Despite having over 3,500 innings of mileage under his belt, he still has a lot left in the tank.
The 20-year-old veteran was expected to reach the 300 win mark. However, his time spent with the Giants did him no good. He began the season with 262 career wins, but only scored four more wins in 2025. It wasn’t because of Verlander’s performance on the mound. They rarely received much run support, and when they did receive support, the bullpen was unable to hold a lead on more than one occasion.
Smith joined the Giants in the middle of the season, and provided a nice boost to the lineup. Overall, he slashed .284/.333/.417 (111 wRC+) with five home runs, 33 RBI and 26 runs batted in in 225 plate appearances. Even though defensive metrics did not have a favorable outlook on his defense, Smith made some good plays at first base.
Similar to Verlander, the Giants left the door open for the 30-year-old first baseman to return. However, they do have coverage at first base with Rafael Devers and Bryce Aldridge. Other teams may offer a clear path to playing time. The addition of Luis Arraez gives the lineup another left-handed bat, making a reunion with Smith even less likely.
Finally, Wilmer Flores remains a free agent. The experienced hitter was clutch during his time with the Giants. His numbers were reduced in recent seasons due to a knee injury. In 2025, he had a .686 OPS with 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 463 plate appearances. While Flores has had a long career, he has made it known that he wants to continue playing.
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