The San Francisco Giants are heading into the offseason with a clear message: don’t expect them to chase big-name, high-priced starting pitchers. And if you're wondering why, look no further than the lingering aftershocks of last year’s Blake Snell deal - a move that’s still echoing through the organization’s books and decision-making.
Let’s rewind for a second. Ahead of the 2024 season, the Giants signed Snell to a contract that included a hefty amount of deferred money.
Fast forward to now, and that decision is still costing them - literally. Despite Snell now wearing Dodger blue and helping Los Angeles capture the 2025 World Series (albeit with some shaky postseason outings), the Giants are still on the hook for a significant chunk of his paycheck.
Specifically, they owe him $17 million in deferred signing bonus money due in January 2026.
That’s not just a tough pill to swallow - that’s a full-course meal of regret. The optics of paying a pitcher who just helped a division rival win a title while you’re trying to rebuild your own rotation? Brutal.
But here’s where it gets complicated. While the Snell deal clearly didn’t pan out the way the Giants hoped, it’s not just about the dollars.
It’s about the structure of the deal - the deferred money, the opt-outs, the flexibility that often benefits the player more than the team. Under former president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, those kinds of contracts were part of the playbook.
Now, under Buster Posey’s leadership, the Giants are taking a different approach.
Since Posey stepped into the front office, the Giants haven’t handed out any free-agent deals with opt-outs or deferred money. That’s not a coincidence - it’s a deliberate shift in philosophy, one that reflects the scars of past contracts that didn’t age well. And while it might make it harder to land top-tier arms - guys like Snell or Carlos Rodón, who often expect those types of player-friendly terms - it’s clear the Giants are prioritizing long-term flexibility and financial discipline.
Still, that raises the question: can the Giants compete for elite pitching talent without offering the kinds of deals that those pitchers expect? And if they can’t, how do they plan to build a rotation that can keep pace in a division that includes the powerhouse Dodgers?
The answer might lie in targeting mid-tier arms, exploring trade options, or doubling down on internal development. But what’s clear is that the Snell contract is casting a long shadow over this offseason. It’s not just a financial burden - it’s a cautionary tale, and one that’s shaping how the Giants move forward.
There’s no doubt the Giants need to add to their rotation. One contract misfire shouldn’t be an excuse to sit idle, especially with a fanbase hungry for a return to contention.
But it is a reminder that every dollar - and every clause in a contract - matters. And in San Francisco, the days of rolling the dice on risky pitcher deals may be over.