The Giants have won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014 recently. A lot of the core is still intact for 2016 – and they could add in Free Agency over the winter, while the Dodgers may not be as formidable in 2016 either. With some flexibility coming in the forms of finances, the San Fran club should spend what they can in 2016 – go for another few premiere players, before trying any form of rebuilding afterwards. The Giants finished the 2015 season a disappointing 84 – 78 – which continued their odd year curse.

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Yep.  The Giants are heading into an even year this decade – and will try for a fourth time in a row to become World Champions.

The 1st thing we look at when it comes to payroll is how much a team has in guaranteed contracts.  So far for next year, this sum is $128.1 MIL for 11 players.

Jake Peavy, Angel Pagan, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez are on the last year of their individual pacts and are not on the payroll beyond this year.

Bumgarner is the latest ace of the franchise to arrive to the organization that was drafted by the club. While it is unlikely he will pull down a Cy Young Award with Clayton Kershaw residing in the same League, the 27 Year Old LHP has established himself as a premiere playoff performer.  Sabean had the smarts to lock him up through the 2019 season back before 2014, meaning San Francisco will have considerable value for his return based on his contract the next 4 campaigns.  Which is great when Matt Cain’s deal has gone

Matt Cain‘s 2 years remaining for sure with the team – and will cost a minimum of $49.5 MIL.  This is not looking so hot, but it is offset by the value Madison Bumgarner‘s deal.

MadBum will only make $35.5 MIL over the next four years, which is an absolute steal.

This club has to spend money to compete with the LA Dodgers.  Last year the Giants edged just underneath the Luxury Tax Threshold of $189 MIL – with a mark of $187.1 MIL.  The organization will likely spend somewhere near that clip again in 2016.

After you take into consideration of the Arbitration and Entry Level Contracts – and you could see them in the $145 MIL range.  This means they could have about $45 MIL more on the AAV to still fall under the Luxury Tax.

Perhaps they will re-sign Tim Lincecum to a one year deal with a lot of incentives attached to it.

If I were running the show, I would even spend over the Luxury Tax Threshold for one year – with only $83 MIL on the books for next year.

The immediate need for at least 2 Starting Pitchers and a premiere OF would be 1st on my list.  Besides inking Lincecum back, I would try for one of the two following pitchers:  David Price or Zack Greinke.

They should also grab either Justin Upton or Jason Heyward.  The latter may be more of a fit if they offered him a 10 year deal in the $16 – $18 MIL range.  You throw in Heyward with Pence, and you don’t have to worry about your corner OF for years.

With AT @ T Park being your home venue, an outstanding defender like the J-Hey kid would be a great move.  He is a doubles and triples machine in that park all day long.

While the former Brave and Cardinal player only played CF 10 games last year, he could end up back at the position if Angel Pagan is traded – or hurt.  Pagan is on the last season of his deal.

Brandon Belt with switch off with Buster Posey at 1B and LF.  So when the LHB takes his position beyond the grass, Heyward could take the Center Field position.

Pagan should definitely be made available for trade if they sign Heyward.  The club could then sign another player that could play all 3 positions like Will Venable or Austin Jackson.

With Cain eventually coming off the books (after 2017 if the team declines his 2018 Option), the club also needs to position itself beyond that year without him.

Signing Price or Greinke would cost around $27 – $30 MIL per year, but they need one of those guys.  They are also going to be playing against Clayton Kershaw for the next half a dozen years or so too.  A #1 ace is essential.

Yes the club has Bumgarner until 2019, but if they sign Price or Greinke, it will be at least 6 years for either and maybe as long as 8.  Like Sully of our website said too:  “If they sign Greinke it makes them better and take the Dodgers down a peg from their 2015 roster as well.”

Maybe a Jordan Zimmerman or Johnny Cueto may cost a little less – and would still suit the needs for the immediate future.

The Giants are drawing well over 3 Million Fans per year, and another championship run in the next four years is possible with Posey, Bumgarner, Pence, Panik and Brandon Crawford all being on the teams until at least 2019.

Guaranteed Contracts/POS/AGE:

Matt Cain SP (31):  Makes $20.8 MIL for each of the next 2 years, before there is a Team Option for $21 MIL in 2018 – or a $7.5 MIL Buyout.

Buster Posey C/1B (29):  The Catcher/1B makes $20 MIL in 2016, and will earn $21.4 MIL in each season between 2017 – 2021, with a Buyout stipulated for 2022 at $3 MIL that acts like a bonus.

Hunter Pence OF (33);  Pence will earn $18.5 MIL for the next 3 years each.

Jake Peavy SP (35):  The two time World Series winner makes $15 MIL this upcoming year before he hits Free Agency next winter.

Angel Pagan CF (34): Pagan makes $11.3 MIL in 2016 and is a Free Agent in 2017.

Madison Bumgarner SP (26):  MadBum is vastly underpaid at $10 MIL in 2016 and $11.5 MIL in 2017. Unless disaster strikes there are two straight Team Options for 2018 and 2019 at $12 MIL per year.

Sergio Romo RP (33):  $9.5 MIL in 2016 and a Free Agent in 2017.

Santiago Casilla CL (35): $6.5 MIL in 2016 and a Free Agent in 2017.

Brandon Crawford SS (29): The SS just signed a 6 YRs/$75 MIL deal this winter.  Breakdown goes:  $6 MIL in 2016. $8.2 MIL in 2017 – and for every year between 2018 – 2021 he will earn $15.2 MIL per season.

Javier Lopez RP (38):  $5.0 MIL in 2016 and a Free Agent in 2017.

Gregor Blanco OF (32):  $3.9 MIL in 2016 and a Free Agent in 2017

Total Money for this Category – $127.2 MIL

Arbitration Eligible/POS/AGE

1st Year

George Kontos RP (31):  Is projected to make $1.0 MIL in 2016. Has 4 years of Arbitration and is eligible to be a Free Agent in 2020

Hector Sanchez C (26): Is projected to make 900K in 2016. Has 3 years of Arbitration and is eligible to be a Free Agent in 2019.

Total Money for this Category – $1.9 MIL:  Total Team Salary – $129.1 MIL

2nd Year

Brandon Belt 1B/LF (28):  Is projected to make $6.2 MIL in 2016 – has one more year of Arbitration in 2017 – before hitting the open market in 2018.

Total Money for this Category – $6.2 MIL:  Total Team Salary – $135.3 MIL

3rd Year

Yusmeiro Petit RP (31):  Is projected to earn $2.4 MIL in 2016 and will be a Free Agent in 2017.

Total Money for this Category – $2.4 MIL:  Total Team Salary – $137.7 MIL

Dead Money POS/AGE:

Nori Aoki RF (34):  Buyout of 700K and will not be on the payroll past this year.

Total Money for this Category – $0.7 MIL:  Total Team Salary – $138.4 MIL

Buried Contracts/Minors

Daniel Carbonell OF (24):  The club will spend $400K in the next 2 years towards the cap for this guy

Total Money for this Category – $0.4 MIL:  Total Team Salary – $138.8 MIL

Entry Level Contracts POS/AGE

Cory Gearrin RP (30): Is Arbitration Eligible for four years between 2016 – 2019 and will become a Free Agent in 2020.

Ehire Adrianza UT (26):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Joe Panik 2B (25):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Andrew Susac C (26):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Matt Duffy UT (25):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Chris Heston SP (28):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Hunter Strickland RP (27):  Is Arbitration Eligible for four years between 2017 – 2020 and will become a Free Agent in 2021.

Josh Osich RP (27):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Kelby Tomlinson 2B (25):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Michael Broadway RP (29):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Jarrett Parker OF/PH (26): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Cody Hall RP (28):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Trevor Brown C (24):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Mac Williamson LF (25): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Total Money for this Category – $8 MIL:  Total Team Salary – $146.4 MIL.

With the money being spent so far, look for the Giants to spend between $43 – $53 MIL on this winters worth of transactions towards player upgrades.

Sergio Romo, Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla are all on the last year of their contracts. With one of the best Bullpens still in the game for 2016 – the club should allocate its dollars towards a few Starting Pitchers and one premiere outfielder.  Others in the last years of their deals with the club are Angel Pagan and Gregor Blanco.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

A Big thanks goes out to our chief writer Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s feature post.

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