The San Francisco Giants are desperate for power, and Anthony Santander might just be the answer. After finishing a disappointing 80-82 in 2024, the Giants are retooling for 2025, and Santander’s name is at the top of the list of potential free-agent signings. The 29-year-old slugger, fresh off an explosive season with the Baltimore Orioles, is entering free agency with plenty of buzz, and for good reason. Santander smashed a career-high 44 home runs—second only to Aaron Judge in the American League—and put up impressive numbers across the board, with an .814 OPS, 135 OPS+, and 102 RBIs.
Santander’s power would be a massive boost for the Giants, a team that’s been starved for home run hitters since the Barry Bonds era. The last time a Giants player hit 30 or more home runs was in 2004, when Bonds slugged 45. Santander, with two 30-plus homer seasons under his belt, including his monster 2024 campaign, could finally end that drought.
San Francisco’s lineup struggled to produce consistent power last season, especially in right field and at designated hitter, where they ranked in the middle to lower tiers of MLB. Mike Yastrzemski, the primary right fielder, managed only 24 home runs, and Jorge Soler, who was supposed to be their power answer, was traded at the deadline after hitting just 12 homers. The Giants need someone who can not only bring big numbers but also stay in the lineup, and Santander’s versatility as a right fielder and occasional DH fits perfectly.
The challenge for Santander in San Francisco will be Oracle Park, which has been notoriously tough on hitters. It’s ranked as the hardest place to hit home runs over the last three seasons, but if anyone can break through, it’s Santander. His raw power has already earned him a spot among the league’s best, and his ability to handle difficult environments could make him the power threat the Giants desperately need.
With a projected five-year, $88 million contract on the table, Santander would be a serious investment for the Giants, but one that could pay off in spades. The Giants need a legitimate power source to compete in a tough NL West, and Santander just might be the guy to deliver.
