There’s a new vibe brewing in San Francisco, and it’s not just the early spring sunshine in Arizona. Giants manager Tony Vitello is already seeing something that managers can’t coach and front offices can’t buy: a player-driven culture starting to take root - and spring training hasn’t even officially started.
Speaking on KNBR’s Murph & Markus show, Vitello couldn’t hide his appreciation for what’s happening behind the scenes. Players are showing up early, unprompted, and getting to work. That’s not just a nice story for February - that’s the kind of thing that can shape a season.
“A lot of guys have just taken the initiative to be on a mission,” Vitello said. “Everybody’s got a different mission going on.”
And that’s the key: this isn’t about one voice leading the charge. It’s a group of players, each with their own reasons, all pulling in the same direction.
Some are motivated by personal goals, others by the sting of a .500 finish and another year outside the playoff picture. But the common thread is clear - they’re not waiting for someone to tell them when to start grinding.
The Giants wrapped up 2025 with an 81-81 record, good for third in the NL West and yet another October spent watching instead of playing. For a franchise that’s been on the outside looking in for four straight seasons, that kind of mediocrity doesn’t sit well - not with veterans, not with newcomers, and certainly not with a first-year manager trying to set a tone.
Vitello pointed to early defensive work already underway, including infield drills led by long-time coach Ron Washington - a guy who knows a thing or two about building elite defensive units. Among those already putting in reps: Luis Arráez and Bryce Eldridge.
Arráez, a three-time All-Star who signed with San Francisco earlier this month, is already making his presence felt. He’s been working at second base, a position he’s eager to claim despite whatever chatter might be floating around online.
“With Arráez, he wants to play second base,” Vitello said. “And I can only imagine what’s in the Twitter-sphere about, you know, he can’t do this or can’t do that. So, there’s your motivation if you need it.”
That’s the kind of edge you want to see from a new addition - a guy not just showing up, but showing he’s got something to prove. And he’s not alone. According to Vitello, plenty of players weren’t happy with how last year ended, and they’ve responded by tweaking their offseason routines or simply showing up to camp early, ready to reset the narrative.
“A lot of other guys just were not satisfied with how last year went,” Vitello added. “So they either showed up earlier or put together a new protocol in the winter.”
For Vitello, who’s still getting to know his roster, the early arrivals have been a bonus. It’s given him valuable face time with his players and a chance to start building the relationships that matter once the games start counting.
“It’s only helped me, because I’m wanting to get to know all these guys,” he said. “I want to feel like we’re prepared. So far, so good in that category.”
It’s early, sure. But the signs are there.
Players aren’t just talking about turning things around - they’re showing it. If this kind of energy and accountability holds, the Giants might just be laying the foundation for a season that breaks the cycle of disappointment.
And if you’re a Giants fan, that’s exactly what you want to hear before the first pitch of spring training is even thrown.