The Giants' offseason has been relatively quiet so far, but they're now emerging as a potentially late player for the biggest star left on the free-agent market.
Giants executives met with six-time All-Star Bryce Harper this week, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Team president and CEO Larry Baer, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Bruce Bochy were among those present for the meeting, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Harper, 26, has drawn interest from the Phillies, White Sox and Nationals this winter, though he remains unsigned with less than a week to go until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training, prompting new suitors, including the Padres, to enter the fray.
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Harper, who is represented by Scott Boras and rejected a 10-year, $300 million offer from Washington last fall, will command a hefty price tag, but the Giants have the financial wherewithal to absorb lucrative contracts, as demonstrated by their pursuit of slugger Giancarlo Stanton last year.
Zaidi acknowledged last month that the Giants could circle back to bigger free agents if prices reached a suitable level.
"I would say as the market evolves, there might be guys you'd kind of questioned or doubted the feasibility at one point that you circle back around on," Zaidi said. "It's our job and responsibility to keep tabs on all parts of the market and we're continuing to do that. Yeah, I do think things can change and your target list evolves over the course of the offseason. I think that's fair. As the market changes and evolves, something that might not have made sense for you at one point might get into the potential deal range."
While the Giants are in a bit of a transitional mode as they head into their first full season under the Zaidi regime, the addition of Harper would give them a generational talent to build around as they look to reshape their roster following two consecutive losing seasons.
Harper would represent a major upgrade to the Giants' crop of outfielders, which currently includes Steven Duggar, Mac Williamson, Austin Slater and Chris Shaw. Duggar is expected to be given a shot to start in center field, but Harper could fill one of two holes in the corner outfield for San Francisco and add a much-needed jolt to the Giants' lackluster offense.
A left-handed hitter, Harper batted .279 with a .900 OPS while averaging 26 home runs per season over his seven years with the Nationals.