Giants chairman Greg Johnson lately spoke to reporters, together with Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle, relating to the contract standing of president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi in addition to the membership’s plans heading into the house stretch of the offseason.
On Zaidi, Johnson revealed that the extension the membership introduced again in October that may maintain Zaidi in San Francisco via the 2026 season has not but been finalized. That’s one thing of a shock, given Johnson stated on the time of the announcement that the deal had been “agreed [upon] in precept” and could be formally introduced within the close to future. That, in fact, didn’t come to go, although Johnson nonetheless famous that the extension is a “completed deal.”
“It’s successfully completed,” Johnson stated (as relayed by Kroichick). “He in all probability has signed it; I’m in all probability the one who hasn’t as a result of I haven’t been round sufficient. However we’re completed.”
The extension for Zaidi, whose present deal runs via the top of the 2024 marketing campaign, got here as one thing of a shock given the membership’s inconsistency throughout his tenure in San Francisco. The Giants posted dropping seasons in his first two campaigns with the membership earlier than mustering an outstanding 107-win 2021 season that propelled the membership to its first NL West title since 2012. Since that sturdy displaying, nonetheless, the membership has been marred by middling performances. The membership completed the 2022 season with a .500 file earlier than slipping again underwater in 2023 with a 79-83 season that resulted within the membership swapping out Gabe Kapler in favor of Bob Melvin within the supervisor’s chair.
Past the feedback on Zaidi’s contract standing, Johnson additionally spoke concerning the membership’s skill to make additional additions to the roster through free company after spending on outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, catcher Tom Murphy and right-hander Jordan Hicks earlier this winter whereas additionally selecting up southpaw Robbie Ray in a commerce with the Mariners final month. Johnson was fast to emphasise that the membership nonetheless has the capability to proceed enhancing the membership through free company, noting that “there are lots of good gamers on the market” who the membership stays “very fascinated about.”
Whereas Johnson didn’t specify any specific targets, earlier reporting has indicated that the Giants view third baseman Matt Chapman as their high goal on the positional market. Chapman, 31 in April, would considerably enhance the membership’s protection as a four-time Gold Glove award winner at third base who leads all huge leaguers with +92 Defensive Runs Saved on the sizzling nook since he first debuted again in 2017. Chapman would additionally present the membership a considerable enhance when it comes to energy. Whereas he veteran hit simply 17 residence runs final season, his .203 remoted slugging for the reason that begin of the 2020 season might nonetheless present a dramatic enhance to a Giants lineup that posted an anemic .149 ISO final 12 months, good for simply twenty third within the majors. Amongst all Giants with at the least 100 plate appearances final season, solely Wilmer Flores and Mike Yastrzemski posted an ISO of .200 or extra.
In contrast, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that feedback from Zaidi within the wake of the Hicks signing final month indicated the membership might not pursue additional beginning rotation additions. Johnson considerably backed that notion up, with Shea quoting Johnson as having stated that he thinks the membership is “going to should depend on some youthful pitching” headed into the season with veterans Alex Cobb and Ray each anticipated to start out the season on the shelf. These indicators from each the entrance workplace and possession seemingly forged doubt on the chance of San Francisco making a splash on the high of the rotation market, the place southpaws Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are the consensus finest arms remaining.
If the Giants actually are unlikely to make a run at additional rotation upgrades, it could be one thing of a shock. In spite of everything, after buying and selling away each Anthony DeSclafani and Ross Stripling whereas watching Alex Wooden and Sean Manaea depart through free company, the Giants have seen their beginning pitching depth take a serious hit this winter. Whereas each Cobb and Ray might present reinforcements later within the season, the membership at present figures to go together with rookies Keaton Winn and Kyle Harrison, teen Tristan Beck, and Hicks to spherical out the membership’s rotation alongside Logan Webb.
Solely Hicks debuted within the majors previous to the 2023 marketing campaign amongst that quartet, and the righty has made simply eight begins within the majors so far in his profession. Including a dependable arm to the combo alongside Webb would give the membership a considerably deeper and extra steady rotation combine to open the season with whereas lessening the membership’s must depend on speedy returns from Cobb and Ray as they rehab from their respective surgical procedures. If the membership doesn’t have the monetary wherewithal to abdomen a nine-figure dedication to Snell or Montgomery, a handful of respectable mid-to-back of the rotation arms reminiscent of Mike Clevinger and Michael Lorenzen additionally stay accessible.
