veteran infielder Wilmer Flores There are about 3 weeks left until opening day and there are still no signatures left. He told Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle that he has received minor league offers but hopes to land a major league contract. He plans to compete this year and is training in Florida to prepare. “The performance isn’t over yet.” Flores said. “I’m just waiting.”
Flores, 34, has spent the past six seasons with the Giants. He’s been a valuable multi-position player most of the time, but has been more limited recently. From 2020 to 2023, he made 1,705 plate appearances and hit .257/.331/.454 for a 116 wRC+, which represents 16% better than league average. He logged more than 700 innings each in the infield, not at shortstop.
In 2024, he was hampered by knee problems. He played in just 71 games and produced a limpid .206/.277/.318 line in those games. His 2025 year was more encouraging, but still limited. He only played third base for nine innings and did not appear at second base. He initially received more playing time, but only made 23 starts there, most of them as a designated hitter. His .241/.307/.379 line was better than in 2024, but still below average at 95 wRC+.
A return to the Giants in 2026 was never a possibility. He remains almost exclusively a first baseman at this point. He hasn’t played second base since 2023 and logged only 10 innings that year. He pitched 14 innings at third base in 2024 and 9 innings last year. The Giants don’t have a lot of first base playing time to offer. Rafael Devers Will be there regularly in the future. if Bryce Eldridge Having solidified himself as a viable big leaguer, he and Devers will likely occupy the first base and designated hitter positions for years to come.
Flores told Slusser that he had had some conversations with the Giants this winter, but that the club would prioritize a second baseman. Flores said he knew when they signed that he would never be a Giant again. Luis Arraezhit Casey Schmidt Even becoming a right-handed multi-position infielder, a job Flores previously held.
Other clubs seem to have some interest in Flores, but not enough for him to make the roster at the moment. He is not ideal for platoon batting as he has not experienced wide splits in his career. He was better against lefties, but not by much. Against left-handers, he had a .266/.319/.468 line and a 113 wRC+, while against left-handers he had a .255/.314/.409 line and a 100 wRC+. In 2025, he performed slightly better against right-handers.
He hasn’t been offered a roster spot yet, but there’s always a chance that new developments could change that. The Cubs planned: tyler austin Role of right-handed pitcher replacing first baseman michael bush However, Austin recently required knee surgery and will be sidelined for several months. Atlanta is Jurickson Profar Despite serving as a designated hitter, he just received a one-year PED suspension. This frees up some at-bats and money for the club as Profar does not receive a salary while serving. Over time, other injuries may also appear.
Flores will compete for that opportunity. I like it guys justin turner and Rowdy Tellez They are also FAs, and those people Ryan Mountcastle, Isaac Paredes, Triston Casas and Mark Vientos Available in trade blocks.
Photo credit: Eakin Howard, Imagn Images
