The San Francisco Giants have had difficulty attracting big-name free agents in recent years, and the city of San Francisco is often cited as a factor. However, a recent article by Grant Brisbee for The Athletic, challenges this notion regarding player perception of cities and its impact on free agent decisions. The article highlights several missed opportunities for the Giants to acquire key players, such as Gerrit Cole, Zack Wheeler, Bryce Harper, and Mookie Betts, over the years.
Brisbee points out that while some players may have preconceived notions about certain cities, the decision to sign as a free agent is often based on factors such as financial compensation and the competitiveness of the team. He uses examples of cities and neighborhoods he personally finds appealing, indicating that player perception of a city may not be the deciding factor in free agent decisions.
Despite this, Brisbee acknowledges that the Giants have missed out on opportunities to sign impactful players, which could have improved the team’s performance. He suggests that being more aggressive in pursuing free agents, especially young, Hall of Fame-caliber players, may lead to better outcomes.
The article serves as a critical evaluation of the Giants’ free agent strategy in recent years and poses the question of whether the team should take a more proactive approach in acquiring top talent to improve its competitiveness in the league.