[DC 86]

Nice discussion.  To me, the answer is simple: BOTH. Free agents only cost money. Giants have gobs of money.  They just won’t spend it.  They do a great job shopping at Grocery Outlet. Once in a while, shop at Lunardis. 

Right, I added all the other stuff but that was my overriding point (see #1), that the two are not mutually exclusive. Ideally an organization develops its team through the amateur draft and international signings. Then it supplements through free agency, and if there are still holes on the roster it fills them through trades, including deadline rentals. But there isn't abundant inventory at the deadline and the price is prospects, so it's an additional important piece of the puzzle but certainly not a substitute for being active in free agency.

[DC 86]

Nice discussion.  To me, the answer is simple: BOTH. Free agents only cost money. Giants have gobs of money.  They just won’t spend it.  They do a great job shopping at Grocery Outlet. Once in a while, shop at Lunardis. 

Right, I added all the other stuff but that was my overriding point (see #1), that the two are not mutually exclusive. Ideally an organization develops its team through the amateur draft and international signings. Then it supplements through free agency, and if there are still holes on the roster it fills them through trades, including deadline rentals. But there isn't abundant inventory at the deadline and the price is prospects, so it's an additional important piece of the puzzle but certainly not a substitute for being active in free agency.