It’s a saga that still lives in infamy for Giants fans.
After years of missing out on top free agents, the Giants finally seemed to land a superstar when they reportedly agreed to a 13-year, $350 million deal with shortstop Carlos Correa in December 2022. But the megadeal stunningly fell apart after a right ankle issue led to a failed physical, prompting Correa to eventually re-sign with the Twins.
Had the Correa pact been finalized, it would have easily been the richest contract in Giants history. Still, it wasn’t long before San Francisco dipped back into the free-agent pool to award another nine-figure contract to a franchise shortstop.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the five biggest free-agent contracts in Giants history:
1. Willy Adames, SS: 7 years, $182 million (2024)
Two years after the Correa debacle, the Giants managed to lock in the cornerstone piece they were looking for by signing Adames to a franchise-record contract. Adames represented the first big signing made by president of baseball operations Buster Posey, who didn’t hesitate to eclipse the mark previously held by the $167 million contract extension he signed with the Giants in 2013.
Adames slotted in next to the newly extended Matt Chapman on the left side of the Giants’ infield and capped his first season in San Francisco by snapping the club’s 21-year 30-homer drought.
2. Johnny Cueto, RHP: 6 years, $130 million (2015)
After helping the Royals win the 2015 World Series, Cueto found a new home with the Giants, who were in need of an ace to bolster their starting rotation. Known for his signature shimmy, Cueto earned an All-Star nod in his first season with the Giants and was selected to start the 2016 Midsummer Classic for the National League. Still, the Dominican right-hander was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery in 2018 and struggled with inconsistency for the rest of his tenure in San Francisco.
3. Barry Zito, LHP: 7 years, $126 million (2006)
Zito was a three-time All-Star during his eight-year run with the A’s, but he never matched those heights when he took his talents across the Bay, logging a 4.62 ERA over his seven seasons with the Giants. But the veteran southpaw came through when the Giants needed him most, firing 7 2/3 scoreless innings to help the club stave off elimination in Game 5 of the 2012 National League Championship Series against the Cardinals.
4. Jung Hoo Lee, CF: 6 years, $113 million (2023)
Lee emerged as one of the biggest stars in the KBO before deciding to make the leap to the Majors ahead of the 2024 season. The Giants were drawn to Lee due to his elite contact skills, though the “Grandson of the Wind” didn’t get much of a chance to show what he was capable of as a rookie, as he suffered a season-ending left shoulder injury after crashing into the center-field wall at Oracle Park in May. Still, Lee showed flashes of his offensive potential when he returned to the field in 2025, inspiring the launch of a dedicated fan club known as the “Hoo Lee Gans.”
T-5. Barry Bonds, LF: 5 years, $90 million (2002)
Bonds was entering his age-37 season when he hit the open market following the 2001 campaign, but he ended up signing another lucrative deal to stay with his hometown Giants. The legendary slugger helped carry San Francisco to the 2002 World Series, though the club ultimately fell to the Angels in seven games. A seven-time NL MVP, Bonds remained an offensive force until his final season with the Giants in 2007, when he became MLB’s all-time home run leader.
T-5. Jeff Samardzija, RHP: 5 years, $90 million (2015)
Cueto wasn’t the only notable pitching addition the Giants made leading up to the 2016 season. They also struck a multiyear deal with Samardzija, who was known for his durability on the mound. “Shark” reached the 200-inning threshold in each of his first two seasons with San Francisco, but he dealt with right shoulder issues during the back half of his contract and finished his Giants tenure with a 4.24 ERA over 110 starts.