Breaking News: Giants Reportedly Cut Ties with Veteran Backstop

The period leading up to the contract-tender deadline has become one of the most decisive stretches of the Major League Baseball calendar. During this time, front offices must make difficult decisions about which players remain part of their future and which ones will be removed from the roster to create flexibility.

These decisions often come down to financial practicality as much as on-field performance. This week, the San Francisco Giants joined the rest of the league in evaluating the fringes of their roster, and in doing so, made the call to move on from a seasoned veteran catching option.

Andrew Knizner, a backstop who has spent seven seasons in the majors, found himself on the wrong side of that decision. Although he put together a respectable showing in the latter half of the season, his overall contribution to the Giants’ campaign was fairly minimal.

In just 33 appearances, Knizner posted an on-base plus slugging percentage of .598, a figure that fell below league average. During that time, he recorded only one home run and drove in five runs, while accumulating 23 total bases. While there were flashes of solid play, his total production did not quite reach the level needed to lock down a secure place on the roster.

The Giants, meanwhile, appear to be fully committed to Patrick Bailey as their everyday catcher moving forward. Bailey has not only established himself as the clear starter, but also seems positioned for an even bigger role in the future of the franchise.

Because of Bailey’s emergence, San Francisco’s offseason priorities no longer include paying significant money for a backup catcher. Knizner’s contract situation further complicated matters, as he was approaching his final year of arbitration eligibility — a status that often results in an increased salary without a guarantee of long-term value for the team.

For a franchise always seeking to balance competitiveness with financial responsibility, the choice became more practical than emotional. Rather than commit more money to an experienced but replaceable backup, the Giants likely concluded that a less expensive option could deliver similar results. Therefore, on Friday, the decision was essentially made to part ways with Knizner.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that San Francisco was preparing to designate Knizner for assignment prior to the deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players. In baseball terms, a designation for assignment (DFA) removes the player from the 40-man roster and allows the team a limited window to either trade him, release him, or place him on waivers. Given Knizner’s role and contract status, it was widely assumed that he would clear waivers and ultimately become a free agent.

Heyman noted that Knizner is considered an above-average pitch framer who offers some defensive value. He also highlighted that the catcher hit .306 during the second half of the season and recorded a 137 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), which suggests he was well above league average offensively during that stretch. Additionally, Knizner posted a strikeout rate of just 11.4 percent for the year — the lowest of his career — pointing to an improvement in plate discipline and contact ability compared to prior seasons.

Despite those bright spots, a closer look at his overall defensive metrics paints a more mixed picture. Knizner finished with a fielding run value of zero, indicating that his glove neither significantly helped nor hurt his team compared to an average defender at his position. His pop time — the speed at which a catcher can deliver a throw to second base when attempting to catch a stealing runner — ranked in the 10th percentile at 2.0 seconds. That number suggests that, in terms of raw arm quickness and efficiency, he was well below league average in that specific area. Because of these statistics, labeling his defense as “above average” may be somewhat generous.

Still, Knizner remains a player with useful experience. Over his career, he has suited up for multiple organizations, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, as well as the Giants. He understands how to handle a pitching staff, prepare for games, and step in when needed without causing disruption. These traits, while harder to quantify, can be valuable to teams in need of a steady backup catcher or a veteran presence in the clubhouse.

That reality could work in Knizner’s favor as he moves on to the next chapter of his career. With approximately three months remaining until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, he now enters the open market hoping to secure his next contract. Ideally, he will find a guaranteed deal that provides both financial stability and a clear role with a new organization. Given his experience and modest cost, he could become a low-risk addition for teams that want depth behind the plate without making a large financial commitment.

There is also the possibility that he could land in a competitive environment where he can challenge for more playing time. Injuries, platoon needs, or inconsistencies at the catcher position could open doors for him during spring training. His second-half offensive surge may attract the attention of clubs that believe there is untapped potential left in his bat, especially if he can carry over his improved approach at the plate.

For the Giants, the decision serves as another indication of their approach to the offseason. Rather than becoming attached to marginal contributors, they appear determined to streamline their roster and make financially sound moves. By freeing up both salary and a 40-man roster spot, they increase their flexibility to pursue upgrades through trades or free agency. These small but important decisions often lay the groundwork for bigger moves later in the winter.

While Knizner’s departure from San Francisco may not dominate headlines, it represents the type of behind-the-scenes transaction that shapes a team’s roster architecture. Baseball is filled with such moments — choices that might seem minor in isolation, but collectively determine a club’s direction. In Knizner’s case, it is the end of a brief chapter in the Bay Area and the beginning of a new search for stability elsewhere.

Ultimately, his time with the Giants will be remembered as a short stint in which he provided depth and some late-season sparks but did not become an integral part of the team’s long-term vision. As the offseason continues and rosters continue to change, Knizner’s name will likely surface again as a signing fits neatly into another club’s puzzle. Until then, he joins the growing list of veterans navigating the uncertain waters of free agency, waiting for an opportunity to prove that he still has plenty left to offer on a Major League diamond.

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