All talk and no show—that’s what San Francisco Giants fans are feeling at the moment. Fans had hoped that under Buster Posey’s regime, the team would start going in the right direction. And for once, there was a flicker of hope where Posey, who said he needed a great shortstop, went all out for Willy Adames. But here comes the kicker: that was it! Since then, the Giants haven’t delved any further into big-ticket players.

The latest heartbreak of all, Corbin Burnes, in a shocking twist, left for the Giants rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, on Saturday. This is such a curveball because the Giants and Toronto Blue Jays were in the mix for clinching him. But the D’backs taking in Burnes shook the National League hierarchy. The Giants aren’t able to get marquee players and the reason might be the ownership’s money being stuck in real estate.

Mission Rock vs Marquee players

The San Francisco Giants seem to have a “baby” by the name of the Mission Rock project. President and CEO Larry Baer called it, “We really see this as Giants Baseball 2.0.” This 28-acre development across McCovey Cove is set to feature 11 buildings and have a million square feet of office space and restaurant space. It will also include 1,000 rental units, and 40% is designed for affordable housing. However, San Francisco’s real estate market has taken a hit.

The mid-tier condo prices have dropped 14.7% from their peak in May 2022. With multifamily condos flooding key locations, the housing boom has reversed by 30%. This just underscores that the Giants are facing issues with their money being tied up majorly at Mission Rock. This potentially is hampering their position to spend elsewhere. Susan Slusser noted, “The Giants were in a good position to land Burnes had they been willing to go over $200 million. He wanted to play on the West Coast and loves pitching at Oracle Park.”

But the money wasn’t the only issue. Corbin Burnes also needed an opt-out. The Giants didn’t give him that, so his agent, Scott Boras, found a team willing to meet the demand. At the end of the day, fans don’t wear Mission Rock t-shirts; they care about marquee players. Watching Burnes walk to division rivals stings fans. Plus, the Dodgers’ dominance, the Diamondbacks’ young talents, and the Padres, star-studded lineup pose a major threat. So right now, cautious spending looks less prudent and more like a missed opportunity.

How the Giants can bounce back after losing Corbin Burnes

Going all in for Dylan Cease 

Imagine Dylan Cease in a Giants uniform, striking out batters left and right. It sounds like a dream, but it can be a reality. The San Diego Padres are open to trading him, even within the division. But yes, it will demand a big package. But given that the Giants have not spent much this time, they can go for it, as Cease is worth it. He racked up 224 strikeouts last season with a 3.47 ERA. He even finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting, and at just 29, he has got plenty left in his tank.

Clinch Roki Sasaki

Almost every team on the West Coast and beyond wants Roki Sasaki. The 23-year-old is just being posted by his Japanese team. Buster Posey has been open about calling Sasaki a dream target. Can you imagine the roars in Oracle Park for him? Yes, the LA Dodgers are at the forefront for clinching the star, but the Giants offer a great fit—close to Japan. Plus, everyone now knows Sasaki wants a chill team, after his Japan media experience.

Steal Jack Flaherty

What better way to stick it to the LA Dodgers than by getting Jack Flaherty? The LA native had a 3.17 ERA and 194 strikeouts last season but got priced out of their rotation. He is pitching for the Giants and taking on his former team. It’s a story many fans can get behind. Plus, he fits well behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.

So, do you think that the San Francisco Giants can pull some surprise moves? Let us know!