While Giants fans continue to wait for that headline-grabbing move this offseason, San Francisco’s front office has been quietly checking boxes behind the scenes. The splash hasn’t come yet - and yes, starting pitching remains the biggest domino still standing - but the Giants have already addressed three key areas of need, laying some important groundwork for 2026.
Let’s take a closer look at the moves they’ve made so far - and why they matter.
1. A Right-Handed-Hitting Fourth Outfielder
The Giants’ 40-man roster is crowded with outfielders, but when you zoom in, the long-term picture gets a little murky. Not many of those names have a clear path to a defined role in 2026, and the recent loss of Marco Luciano on waivers to the Pirates signaled that some turnover is already underway.
Enter Justin Dean and Joey Wiemer, two under-the-radar additions who bring defensive stability and a touch of upside.
Dean is a glove-first outfielder with plus speed. He’s not going to light up the box score, but he can cover ground and provide late-game value defensively.
Wiemer, meanwhile, is a bit more well-rounded. He’s got modest pop, plays all three outfield spots, and - perhaps most importantly - gives the Giants a right-handed bat who can handle left-handed pitching.
That could be key when it comes to giving Jung Hoo Lee a breather against tough southpaws.
Depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out, Wiemer could carve out a role as a platoon option or late-inning replacement. It’s not a flashy move, but it’s the kind of depth piece that can quietly win you games over the course of a long season.
2. Backup Catcher Depth
When the Giants non-tendered Andrew Knizner, they created a hole behind the plate. But they didn’t wait long to fill it, acquiring Daniel Susac - a young backstop with a solid all-around profile and some intriguing upside.
Susac was a Rule 5 pick by the Twins, which means he’ll need to stick on the big-league roster all season or be offered back. That adds a layer of urgency to his development, but the Giants clearly see something they like.
He’s a solid receiver with a strong arm and a bit more power potential than Knizner. While the move wasn’t necessarily driven by cost-cutting, it doesn’t hurt that Susac will make the league minimum in 2026 - a small but meaningful financial edge.
That said, the Giants aren’t done here. Expect them to bring in another catcher to compete with Susac and Jesús Rodríguez for the backup job in camp.
Whether it’s a veteran on a minor-league deal or another trade, this position battle is far from settled. But the foundation is there.
3. Reinforcements from the Left Side of the Bullpen
The Giants spent much of 2025 quietly building up their left-handed bullpen depth - and that work is starting to take shape.
Erik Miller remains the top lefty in the pen, and he’s expected to handle the bulk of the high-leverage matchups against left-handed hitters. But the Giants made a few moves to bolster the group around him.
They non-tendered Joey Lucchesi in a bit of a surprise move, but quickly replaced him with Sam Hentges, a reliever who brings experience and the ability to handle leverage innings. Hentges, like Miller, has the kind of stuff that plays late in games.
Then there’s Reiver Sanmartin, claimed off waivers from the Reds. Both he and Hentges have consistently posted high ground ball rates throughout their careers - a trait that fits nicely behind a Giants infield that’s quietly become one of the better defensive units in the league.
It’s not a bullpen overhaul, but it is a smart recalibration. The Giants are building a pen that can get tough outs and keep the ball on the ground - something that will matter in the late innings of tight games.
What’s Next?
There’s still work to do. The Giants need to fortify their rotation - that’s priority No. 1 - and the bullpen could use another arm or two. They’ve also been linked to position players like Cody Bellinger and Brendan Donovan, which suggests they’re still in the mix for a bigger move.
But while the offseason headlines haven’t arrived just yet, the Giants are making meaningful progress. These aren’t blockbuster additions, but they’re the kind of smart, strategic moves that build a stronger roster from the edges in.
And if the big move does come? These smaller ones will look even better in hindsight.