Giants don't have many decisions to make on own free agents

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SAN FRANCISCO — Giants ownership is in the process of revamping the front office, and Larry Baer already has said the group wants to shake it up on the field, too. The most notable changes will have to come through trades or additions. The Giants do not have any particularly big decisions to make in terms of their own free agents. 

It’s a small class, and half of it consists of two longtime Giants outfielders who almost certainly played their final games with the organization last weekend. The other two players were on one-year deals and would like to return. Here’s a look at the Giants’ free agents: 

Hunter Pence

Pence is currently in Los Angeles working with instructor Doug Latta to make massive changes to his swing, and his hope is that he can play winter ball in November and then hook on somewhere for spring training.

A large percentage of Giants fans got emotional over the season’s final week and asked to bring the right fielder back, and it’s true that the Giants don’t have much in terms of outfield depth right now. But this roster needs a fresh look, and bringing fan favorites back over and over again is part of how the Giants got in this predicament in the first place.

Hopefully Pence can find a good situation, ideally a team on the verge of contention that could use all the good he brings to a clubhouse. The Giants will go in a different direction. 

Gregor Blanco

His situation mirrors Pence’s, on a lesser scale. A certified Good Giant, Blanco could join the organization as an instructor or minor league coach at some point. Manager Bruce Bochy raved about Blanco last weekend when asked about his coaching future. For now,

Blanco still loves playing, but he had a .580 OPS last season and turns 35 this winter. The Giants should be fine in center with Steven Duggar and Gorkys Hernandez. 

Nick Hundley

After his second season as the backup, Hundley said he wants to come back. “If we’re healthy, this team is capable of winning a World Series,” Hundley said Sunday. “If I’m able to add to that, I would definitely take the opportunity.”

Hundley signed a one-year $2.5 million deal and hit 10 homers in 282 at-bats, and he’s a very valuable member of the clubhouse. He won the Willie Mac Award in his first year and received votes this season. Another reunion looks likely, especially with Buster Posey recovering from hip surgery.

If Hundley finds a better situation elsewhere, Aramis Garcia should be ready for the job. 

Derek Holland

It remains baffling that the Giants couldn’t find a taker for the left-hander before the July 31 or August 31 deadlines. They should have worked to get a prospect in exchange for Holland, who would have wanted to come back this offseason regardless.

Holland has made no secret of his desire, and he’s coming off a season in which he led the rotation in innings and finished 15th in the NL in ERA (3.57) and strikeouts (169). Holland came in on a $2 million contract last spring as a non-roster invitee, but now is looking for multiple years, per league sources.

He is due a significant raise, but at the right price — and right length — the Giants should bring him back. They don’t have much rotation depth. Johnny Cueto will miss the 2019 season and it's uncertain what the Giants will get out of Jeff Samardzija, who is still rehabbing his shoulder injury. 

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