Report: After Missing Out on Stanton, Giants ‘will Pursue' Top Free Agents

The Giants really wanted reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton. But they aren't getting him. Instead, he's reportedly headed to the Yankees.

So, with the Winter Meetings starting on Monday in Orlando, it appears the Giants will turn their attention to the free agent market to try to fill their needs.

According to The Boston Globe, the Giants "will pursue" top free agents J.D. Martinez, Mike Moustakas, Todd Frazier and Lorenzo Cain.

Martinez hit 45 home runs with the Tigers and D'backs during the 2017 season, but is expected to command a deal projected by mlbtraderumors.com to be in the six-year, $150 million range. He would fill the Giants' desperate need for power.

Moustakas would address the Giants' need for a third baseman, but there's a catch to signing him. He received and rejected the qualifying offer from the Royals, so any team that signs him would forfeit their second and fifth round picks plus $1 million in international pool money. The byproduct of finishing tied for the worst record in baseball during the 2017 season is that the Giants hold the No. 2 overall pick in each round of the 2018 MLB Draft next June, so they would be giving up two valuable draft picks if they sign a player that rejected a qualifying offer.

Frazier would be a cheaper third base option as opposed to Moustakas and he doesn't have the qualifying offer attached to him. He clubbed 27 home runs in 2017 with the White Sox and Yankees and had the fourth most Defensive Runs Saved (10) among all qualified third basemen in baseball.

Cain is the top center fielder on the free agent market and the Giants have made it clear improving their center field defense is a priority this winter. But just like his former Royals teammate Moustakas, Cain comes with the qualifying offer attached to him.

NBC Sports Bay Area's Winter Meetings coverage begins on Monday. Stay tuned for update from Alex Pavlovic and Amy G in Orlando.

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