The San Francisco Giants entered this offseason with a clear objective: rebuild a bullpen that simply didn’t hold up down the stretch last year. Injuries and trades gutted what had once been a strength, and now, with the winter meetings just around the corner, the front office has its hands full trying to piece together a group that can close out tight games-a staple of Giants baseball.
One of the more intriguing names on the market, Devin Williams, is now off the board after signing with the New York Mets. That’s a blow for San Francisco, who reportedly had interest in the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year. Given his elite changeup and proven ability to handle high-leverage situations, Williams would’ve been a natural fit at the back end of the Giants’ bullpen.
But the reality is, top-tier closers are coming with top-tier price tags this winter. With deals in the $14-17 million per year range becoming the norm for late-inning arms, the Giants may have been priced out of that particular market.
And frankly, that might not be a bad thing. Closers, even elite ones, can be volatile investments-just ask teams who’ve shelled out big money only to see diminishing returns a year or two later.
That’s likely part of why President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has hinted that the team may look internally for its next closer, possibly through an open competition in spring training. It’s a pragmatic approach, but it doesn’t mean the bullpen is anywhere near set. The Giants still need to add impact arms who can handle high-leverage spots, whether they end up closing games or not.
One under-the-radar move that deserves more attention is the signing of left-hander Sam Hentges. It didn’t make major headlines over Thanksgiving weekend, but it gives the Giants some much-needed depth from the left side. Hentges has the kind of stuff that can play up in short bursts, and while he may not be a ninth-inning guy, he could be a valuable piece in the middle innings or as a matchup weapon.
Still, fans are waiting for that splashy addition-the kind of move that signals the Giants are serious about contending in 2026. The bullpen market is thinning, with three of the top five relievers by WAR already signed. Edwin Díaz and Robert Suarez remain available, but both are expected to command multi-year deals that could exceed the contracts handed out to Williams and Ryan Helsley.
There are other names to watch. Familiar faces like Tyler Rogers and Jakob Junis could return and offer some late-inning stability. And there are intriguing options like Luke Weaver and Pete Fairbanks-relievers who may not carry the same name recognition but could be had at more reasonable prices and still offer legitimate upside in high-leverage roles.
The clock is ticking. With the winter meetings just a week away, the Giants still have plenty of work to do to build a bullpen that can hold up over a full season-and more importantly, in the pressure-cooker moments that define playoff baseball.
Figuring out who’s going to get the final three outs is a big piece of that puzzle. And for a team that plays as many tight, low-scoring games as San Francisco does, nailing that decision could be the difference between playing in October or watching from home.