The San Francisco Giants are closing out another frustrating season, and attention now shifts toward 2026. As has become routine, the team will need to retool the roster in hopes of making a playoff push next year. Here are three players who likely shouldn’t return for the upcoming season.
3 SF Giants playing their way out of team’s 2026 plans
1. Wilmer Flores
It’s unfortunate given how strong Flores looked early in the season, but he’s effectively played himself off the Giants’ 2026 roster. With free agency looming, there’s little chance San Francisco brings him back.
Since April 13, Flores has hit just .238/.309/.348 with a .657 OPS. Though he’s collected 52 RBI in that span, he’s managed only 20 extra-base hits across 107 games and offers minimal defensive value. His 0.4 bWAR this year—coming off a -0.6 mark in 2024—simply isn’t enough to warrant a new deal.
Flores has been a solid contributor since arriving in 2020, but it appears his run with the Giants is nearing its conclusion.
2. Tyler Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald was optioned in August, and the 27-year-old infielder doesn’t appear likely to return anytime soon.
While his glove has been reliable, Fitzgerald’s bat never came around in 2025. He posted just a 73 OPS+ before being demoted and, despite his defensive contributions, finished with only 0.9 bWAR. This offseason, the Giants may need to pursue a more permanent answer at second base.
3. Tristan Beck
Beck was a reliable arm for the Giants across 40 games in 2023 and 2024, but 2025 has been a different story. Over 27 outings, he’s logged 51 innings with a 5.12 ERA and 4.42 FIP, standing out as the weak link in an otherwise steady bullpen. The Giants still control the 29-year-old, so he could return, but he’ll likely need to earn his role in spring training.
The team has several roster issues to fix this offseason, and while each of these players has contributed at times, it’s hard to picture them being key pieces in 2026 as San Francisco looks to make another playoff push.
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