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5 Players San Francisco Giants Should Send Packing In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

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5 Players San Francisco Giants Should Send Packing In 2015-16 MLB Offseason

Hunter Pence Giants
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The San Francisco Giants failed to make the postseason in 2015, although considering their recent postseason success, that's not the end of the world. Still, the Giants have some difficult decisions to make this offseason, as they may have to push some veteran players away and make room for a new wave of talent if they hope to reach the playoffs in 2016. Here are five players San Francisco may show the door before the 2016 season.

5. Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd Trade
Joe Camporeale - USATODAY Sports

5. Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd Trade
Joe Camporeale - USATODAY Sports

Byrd was a nice addition for the Giants over the summer, but there's no reason for them to pick up his $8 million for next season. San Francisco will have Hunter Pence and Nori Aoki to play the two corner outfield spots, and at his age, you can't rely on Byrd being as productive as he's been the past few seasons.

4. Tim Lincecum

San Francisco Giants
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4. Tim Lincecum

San Francisco Giants
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Emotionally, it'll be tough for San Francisco to let Lincecum go elsewhere in free agency, but it's the smart move to make. Despite some brilliant seasons for the Giants, Lincecum has been pretty average the last few seasons, and for a smaller pitcher who's now in his 30s, injuries will continue to be an issue for him. Even without Lincecum in the mix, San Francisco's rotation should be in good shape moving forward.

3. Mike Leake

MikeLeakeGiants
Kelley L. Cox - USATODAY Sports

3. Mike Leake

MikeLeakeGiants
Kelley L. Cox - USATODAY Sports

Leake didn't do anything special for San Francisco after being a midseason acquisition, and there's no reason for the Giants to attempt to re-sign him in free agency. Without Leake, the Giants still figure to have Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Jake Peavy, and Chris Heston leading the rotation. With plenty of young pitchers capable of filling out the back end of the rotation, the Giants have no use for Leake in 2016.

2. Ryan Vogelsong

Ryan Vogelsong
Matt Kartozian - USATODAY Sports

2. Ryan Vogelsong

Ryan Vogelsong
Matt Kartozian - USATODAY Sports

The aging Vogelsong is another player with no place on San Francisco's pitching staff in 2016. He was both a starter and reliever last season, but with so many young pitchers in the Giant's farm system ready to establish themselves in the big leagues, it makes no sense for San Francisco to re-sign Vogelson, especially after his uneven performance over the past few seasons.

1. Angel Pagan

Angel Pagan Giants
Rick Osentoski - USATODAY Sports

1. Angel Pagan

Angel Pagan Giants
Rick Osentoski - USATODAY Sports

Pagan is under contract for one more year, but he's a good candidate for the Giants to shop in a trade this offseason. His numbers in 2015 took a dip from his previous three seasons in San Francisco, and at 34 it's hard to imagine him having a bounce-back season. The Giants could play Gregor Blanco or Nori Aoki in centerfield and look in free agency for an outfielder who will be an upgrade over Pagan, who's best days are behind him.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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