Which First-Year Giants Earned Another Look in 2026?

The San Francisco Giants‘ 2025 marked another year of mediocre baseball played by the bay. With a record finishing right at .500, it was a perfect representation of how the organization has performed throughout the majority of the last decade.

However, there’s finally a significant amount of excitement for San Francisco. A handful of guys suited up in the orange and black for the first time this season and gave reason to get another look from Buster Posey and the front office.

Of course, Rafael Devers and Willy Adames played their first season with the Giants, but they’re in a different situation. Both stars became the richest players to ever put on a San Francisco uniform and would’ve “earned another look” even if they accumulated negative wins above replacement this year.

Whether they’re headed for free agency and a reunion is up in the air or they’re a young player just coming on to the scene, let’s dive into the players whose futures with the Giants weren’t guaranteed after 2025.

Honorable Mentions:

• Joel Peguero – 22.1 IP, 2.42 ERA, 3.85 FIP
• Joey Lucchesi – 38.1 IP, 3.76 ERA, 3.97 FIP
• Matt Gage – 31.0 IP, 3.19 ERA, 2.75 FIP

Justin Verlander – SP

The start to Verlander’s 2025 was not good and, at points, it looked like the future Hall of Famer might be headed into forced retirement. However, he eventually turned it around and put together an impressive season for a 42-year-old.

Across 152 innings and 29 games started, he posted a 3.85 ERA. Unfortunately, the Giants and their bullpen didn’t help him much as he only won four games, one less than the amount he won in just 90 innings the year prior.

That may have left a salty taste in Verlander’s mouth, but a reunion via free agency is absolutely on the table. While he’ll most likely have more suitors this offseason than last, Buster Posey has already spoken on if there’s interest in bringing back one of the game’s all-time legends.

“Yeah definitely, it’s something we’ll have to discuss, but (we do) for a multitude of reasons. He’s been a great teammate. He’s helped some of our younger guys learn how to prepare, and he just sets an example by going out and performing…”

– Giants’ POBO, Buster Posey

Dominic Smith – 1B/DH

Smith is another Giant destined for free agency, but this one is significantly less likely to end in a reunion. The 30-year-old ended up having a very solid season, especially considering the fact that he began the year in Triple-A with the Yankees on a minor-league deal.