San Francisco Giants: 3 realistic, low-profile free agent targets
By Justin Fried
2. Brandon Kintzler, RHP
The Giants bullpen had some real firepower in 2019 but many of the players who dominate the late-innings for the majority of the season are unlikely to be on the roster come April.
Sam Dyson and Mark Melancon were traded away at the deadline and it’s still very uncertain whether Will Smith will return. The Giants did extend him a qualifying offer but players rarely opt to accept the offer and instead look for multi-year deals in free agency.
Even Reyes Moronta shined at points but he’ll likely miss the majority of next season recovering from a nasty shoulder injury sustained in late August.
For that reason, bringing in a veteran with closing experience such as Brandon Kintzler could make a ton of sense.
More from San Francisco Giants
- Thank you SF Giants for a fun, wild, surprising 2020 season
- SF Giants lose in heartbreaking fashion and miss 2020 MLB playoffs
- SF Giants: Mike Yastrzemski named 2020 Willie Mac Award recipient
- SF Giants: Chadwick Tromp placed on IL with shoulder strain
- SF Giants: Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners postponed
Kintzler spent the first six years of his career widdling away in the Brewers middle-relief before unexpectedly breaking out with the Minnesota Twins in 2016 as the team’s closer.
And after totaling 35 saves over one-and-a-half seasons with the Twins, Kintzler was shipped to the Washington Nationals at the 2017 trade deadline where he would serve as the team’s set-up man.
Following a rough 2018 season, Kintzler bounced back and became one of the most reliable relievers in a weak Chicago Cubs bullpen this year.
Despite his lack of flashy stuff, Kintzler is a very appealing option for the Giants who could certainly use a veteran reliever in their bullpen — especially one with experience as a closer. If Smith doesn’t return, Kintzler could even assume the ninth-inning role again.
He should be cheap and affordable, even if the signing wouldn’t dominate headlines. If the Giants aren’t willing to offer Smith a multi-year deal and he refuses the qualifying offer, Kintzler is likely one of the more realistic options on the market.