Free agent Wilmer Flores still has ‘a lot to give’ after six-year Giants tenure originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
It has been a quiet MLB offseason for the Giants.
Despite hiring Tony Vitello as their new manager in October, it’s increasingly unlikely the team will make a big-name roster acquisition before the upcoming 2026 season. Most recently, the team added to the pitching rotation in early January, agreeing to contracts with right-handers Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser and Jason Foley.
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One player that will be notably absent from the Giants’ future roster is former infielder/designated hitter Wilmer Flores, who concluded his six-year career with San Francisco and is now in MLB free agency. He spoke positively of his time in the Orange and Black on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove” show Thursday.
“My time in San Francisco was amazing; it was a lot different than with the [New York] Mets,” Flores said. “The way I see it, it’s like two different players, starting my career with the Mets and then when I got to the Giants things were a lot easier because I had a lot of experience and I was still learning.”
The 13-year MLB veteran held a .249 batting average with 92 home runs in his six-year stint with the Giants and inferred that he is still in the prime of his playing career when asked about future opportunities.
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“My hope is to keep playing, I still have a lot to give and as we know, the offseason is moving a little slow, but you know, staying ready,” he said.
Flores became known for his consistent clutch power-hitting in Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly conditions. His numerous big hits in crucial situations made him a favorite in the clubhouse. He reflected on what he learned from the Giants’ training staff.
“When I got to San Francisco I learned more about what pitches to look [for] and how to do damage,” he said. “When I came up, I was a good bat-to-ball skill guy, I just didn’t know how to generate power; when I got to the Giants, I started using my lower half a little more and driving the ball.”
Flores specifically noted former Giants hitting coach, Justin Viele, as a driving influence behind his improved at-bat approach.
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“When I got to the Giants, Justin Viele was there, he helped me a lot with how to use my power, I was just using my upper half to hit and wasn’t using my lower half,” Flores praised.
Viele is now a hitting coach for the Texas Rangers, and front office advisor Bruce Bochy’s role as former Rangers manager might have influenced Mahle to join him in San Francisco. Pitching additions are a step in the right direction, but how will the Giants’ front office approach filling Wilmer’s offensive impact?
