As pitchers and catchers report and the Giants roll into spring training, there’s a lingering sense of unfinished business in San Francisco. Coming off a winter that many fans have labeled as underwhelming, the buzz surrounding the team isn’t quite matching the energy of last year’s headline-grabbing moves.
Let’s rewind for a second: a year ago, the Giants made waves by landing Willy Adames in free agency and swinging a blockbuster deal for Rafael Devers. Those were bold moves from president of baseball operations Buster Posey-moves that sent a clear message that the Giants were ready to compete now.
Fast forward to this offseason, and the additions haven’t sparked the same kind of excitement. And Posey knows it.
Speaking on KNBR’s “Murph and Markus,” Posey addressed the elephant in the room: fan frustration.
“I think from a fan’s perspective, they want us to go out and sign every marquee free agent,” Posey said. “That sounds great in theory, but that’s not a reality.”
It’s a candid moment from Posey, who’s never been one to sugarcoat things. He’s aware of the expectations, but he’s also standing firm in the belief that this roster has what it takes.
“We’re happy with the group that we have and certainly feel that we’ve got the talent on this team to go out and win a lot of ball games.”
That confidence is rooted in a belief that the pieces are in place-maybe not the flashiest, but functional, experienced, and capable of producing. Still, it’s fair to say that belief took a hit last season.
The Giants were optimistic then too, but the results didn’t match the expectations. That led to a shakeup in the coaching staff and a renewed focus on getting the most out of the current roster.
Posey knows that talk only goes so far.
“That’s what makes sports great,” he said. “And our sport I think, moreso than any other, people love numbers and projections. But ultimately, until we step out on that field and see how things play out, nobody really knows.”
So who are the new faces expected to help move the needle?
The Giants brought in center fielder Harrison Bader, second baseman Luis Arráez, and pitchers Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser. None of those names sent shockwaves through the league, but Posey isn’t backing down from the criticism. In fact, he’s leaning into the experience and upside these players bring.
“I think they’re all great big leaguers,” Posey said. “You don’t stay in the league as long as they have without being great big leaguers.”
Let’s break that down.
Harrison Bader is known for his glove-he’s a defensive asset in center field, and Posey believes there’s more to his bat than people give him credit for.
“We feel like we really got better defensively with Harrison in center; he made some big strides offensively,” Posey said. “Having talked to him, I think there’s some staying power there.”
Luis Arráez brings a different kind of value. The 28-year-old already has three batting titles under his belt.
That kind of contact ability is rare in today’s strikeout-heavy game. Posey acknowledged that Arráez still has work to do defensively at second base, but he’s encouraged by the early signs in camp.
“I was watching him out [at spring training] ... with Ron Washington, so he’s already getting all of that off the ground and running.”
Then there’s the pitching. Adrian Houser has been working on refining his arsenal this offseason, and Posey seems optimistic about the adjustments.
Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle was off to a strong start last season before injuries derailed things. If he can stay healthy, there’s real potential for him to be a difference-maker in the rotation.
Posey’s message is clear: don’t judge the offseason by the headlines. Judge it by what happens between the lines.
And really, that’s what this spring is all about for the Giants. They’ve made their bets-not the flashiest, but calculated and purposeful. Now it’s time to see if those bets pay off.