The San Francisco Giants finished the season 65-97 and placed fourth in the National League West, ending 35 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That result leaves president of baseball operations Buster Posey with several significant roster needs to address before the 2027 season.

Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, Casey Schmitt and Bryce Eldridge are expected to return. However, injuries and San Francisco’s activity at the trade deadline left much of the supporting cast unsettled.

Determining the Giants’ offseason priorities requires considering how many dependable roles remain vacant, the strength of their internal alternatives and the potential cost of waiting too long to secure solutions.

The outfield presents one of those unresolved areas.

Lee remains an important part of San Francisco’s plans, but the Giants traded Heliot Ramos to the New York Yankees. Harrison Bader’s injuries also interrupted his first season with the team and created further uncertainty.

Drew Gilbert, Jonah Cox and Bo Davidson provide San Francisco with several young possibilities. Davidson reached MLB during the final week of the season and hit .350 with an RBI and two runs scored in six games.

The presence of those prospects gives the Giants options, but it does not provide them with a settled everyday outfield.

San Francisco needs a healthy, established outfielder who can contribute both offensively and defensively.

Adding that player would reduce the immediate pressure on Gilbert, Cox and Davidson while allowing each prospect to develop without being forced into a major role before earning it.

The Giants must also determine how much of their 2027 strategy can reasonably depend on Bader returning and remaining available.

The ideal addition should bring consistency, durability and the versatility to cover more than one outfield position.

San Francisco cannot afford another season in which injuries repeatedly force players into unfamiliar assignments or leave the lineup without dependable production.

Defensive range will be particularly important. A reliable outfielder can support the pitching staff by closing gaps, tracking difficult fly balls and preventing extra bases.

The Giants also need someone capable of lengthening the lineup. That does not necessarily require a pure power hitter, but the player must control the strike zone, produce quality at-bats and contribute with runners in scoring position.

Experience would help balance an outfield that could include several young players. An established veteran can provide guidance regarding preparation, positioning and the adjustments required throughout a full MLB season.

Davidson’s brief performance was encouraging, but six games cannot settle a position for 2027. Gilbert and Cox also deserve opportunities to compete, although San Francisco should not build its entire plan around unproven players.

Lee provides one foundation piece. The Giants must add another dependable outfielder while determining whether Bader and their prospects can fill the remaining roles.