Will Brennan Gets a Fresh Start: Giants Sign Former Guardians Outfielder to One-Year Deal
Will Brennan’s baseball journey has had its share of twists - and now, it’s taking a turn toward the West Coast. The San Francisco Giants announced they’ve signed the 25-year-old outfielder to a one-year split deal, giving Brennan a shot at a comeback after injuries derailed his time in Cleveland.
The contract structure is straightforward: $400,000 if he’s in the minors, $900,000 if he’s on the big-league roster. For a player with Brennan’s upside and track record of making contact, it’s a low-risk, high-reward move for the Giants - and a golden opportunity for Brennan to re-establish his value.
A Promising Start That Hit a Wall
Back in 2022, Brennan looked like the next man up in Cleveland’s outfield. After a strong showing in Triple-A, he was called up late in the season and made an immediate impact.
He hit his way onto the Guardians’ postseason roster and even logged at-bats in the ALDS against the Yankees. It was a whirlwind rise - from minor league depth piece to playoff contributor in a matter of weeks.
But that momentum didn’t carry over. The following season, Brennan was initially told he’d break camp with the Guardians, only for the front office to pivot and acquire Nolan Jones, leaving Brennan on the outside looking in. Then came the injuries.
He appeared in just six games before suffering an elbow injury that would ultimately require Tommy John surgery. Later in the year, a sports hernia added to the list of setbacks. Two surgeries in one season is a tough hand for any player, let alone one trying to carve out a consistent role.
Now, though, Brennan is fully healthy. According to Giants GM Zack Minasian, the team has had its eye on him for a while - and with a clean bill of health, Brennan is ready to compete again.
What Brennan Brings to the Giants
Brennan’s career .267 batting average doesn’t leap off the page, but the underlying numbers tell a more complete story. He’s always been a tough strikeout - his career strikeout rate sits at just 12.7%, well below league average - and he brings solid defensive instincts to the outfield. He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient, and in the right system, he could thrive as a high-contact, low-strikeout contributor.
The challenge? Cracking the Giants’ outfield rotation won’t be easy.
San Francisco already has a crowded mix in the outfield. Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee are expected to play significant roles, and the offseason additions of Harrison Bader and Luis Arraez only tighten the competition.
Still, Brennan’s versatility and remaining minor league options make him a valuable depth piece. He can move between Triple-A and the majors without needing to clear waivers, giving the Giants flexibility - and Brennan a realistic path to playing time if injuries or slumps hit the roster.
A Second Chance Worth Watching
Brennan’s time in Cleveland never fully materialized the way it seemed it might in 2022. But that doesn’t mean the book is closed. Players like Brennan - high-contact hitters with defensive value and a history of overcoming adversity - have a way of finding new life in the right environment.
The Giants are betting that a change of scenery and a clean slate could unlock the version of Brennan that flashed two years ago. And for Brennan, this is more than just a minor league deal - it’s a second chance to prove he belongs in the bigs.
The road back won’t be easy, but if Brennan can stay healthy and show the same bat-to-ball skills that got him to the majors in the first place, don’t be surprised if he makes some noise in San Francisco.