On Wednesday December 10, 2025, the Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a 2-year, $23 million contract with a club option for 2028.
Yastrzemski, 35, played for the Giants from 2019-2025 before he was traded to the Kansas City Royals at the 2025 MLB trade deadline in exchange for minor league pitcher Yunior Marte.
Yaz was a fan favorite during his time in the Bay Area, known for his clutch hitting, philanthropy in the community and endearing positive attitude towards his teammates and fans.
Giants fans are undoubtedly happy that Yastrzemski gets to continue his career, even if it won’t come in the Orange and Black.
Yaz previously hinted he could come back to San Francisco
Mike Yastrzemski’s signing with Atlanta officially squashes a rumor that he could return to San Francisco this offseason.
In an interview with Foul Territory back in August, Yastrzemski detailed how Buster Posey broke the news to him that the Giants were trading him to Kansas City, and here’s what Yastrzemski said.
“[Posey] was incredibly respectful, we had a great talk,” Yastrzemski said. “It’s not the end of a relationship, it’s just we’ll see you in a year or two.”
See you in a year or two sounded at the time like Yastrzemski may have been planning a return to San Francisco in free agency. Some people even thought he could retire and join the Giants’ coaching staff.
It’s possible that Yastrzemski wanted to return to San Francisco and the Giants didn’t come through on their end, but it wouldn’t make sense for Posey to give Yastrzemski the impression that he was coming back if the Giants weren’t interested.
It’s likely that Yastrzemski was just referring to being involved with the Giants as an alumni after he retires. The Giants love to bring back former players for both fan events and to help out the current team. Yastrzemski is certainly a “forever Giant” who has contributed so much to the organization that he would be welcome back anytime.
Giants outfield without Yastrzemski
Since Mike Yastrzemski left, the Giants have yet to figure out who will be their new everyday right fielder. They currently have a whopping 9 outfielders on their 40-man roster. They will likely only carry 4 outfielders on their opening day roster, and 2 of those 4 will definitely be everyday starters Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee.
That leaves Wade Meckler, Justin Dean, Joey Wiemer, Jerar Encarnacion, Drew Gilbert, Luis Matos, and Grant McCray to compete for 2 spots on the roster. Either 1 starter in right field and 1 backup, or a platoon in right field with either player also available to give Ramos and Lee the occasional breather.
Gilbert is the most likely to make the roster because he showed flashes of star play last season, was an immediate fan favorite, and has a great relationship with new Giants manager Tony Vitello. Gilbert played for Vitello in college at Tennessee.
It’s kind of a toss up otherwise. Every other player on the 40-man has spent time on a big league roster but each has struggled with consistency, whether that is in their offensive production, defensive play or health.
It should be a very intriguing positional battle this spring.
When do Yastrzemski’s Braves play the Giants?
The Giants will get to have a reunion with Mike Yastrzemski when they travel to Atlanta for a three-game series against the Braves June 16-18, 2026.
Then, Yastrzemski and the Braves will come to Oracle Park just a little over a week later, June 26-28, 2026. That will be the first time Yastrzemski has returned to San Francisco since the Giants traded him away midway through the 2025 season.
I’d expect Giants fans to give him a nice ovation and for the team to prepare him some sort of tribute video.
Former San Francisco Giants Fan Favorite Signs Contract With New Team