Despite selling at the trade deadline, the San Francisco Giants finished just two games shy of grabbing the final National League Wild Card spot last season. That kind of near-miss usually forces a franchise into a decision: double down and upgrade the roster, or bet on internal growth to close the gap. So far, the Giants are leaning toward the latter-opting for patience over splash.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers continue to load up, flexing their financial muscle and deepening an already stacked roster. Across the division, San Francisco has largely stayed quiet.
The biggest move to date wasn’t on the field but in the front office, where the team handed the reins to Buster Posey, a franchise icon with three World Series rings and deep roots in the Giants’ golden era. His appointment as president of baseball operations sparked excitement, and understandably so-Posey knows what a championship culture looks like.
But his first full offseason at the helm has raised eyebrows for its lack of urgency.
The Giants wrapped up 2025 with an 82-80 record-just above .500, but not enough to break a four-year playoff drought. And while Posey’s presence brings credibility, the moves haven’t matched the ambition fans were hoping for.
"He seems convinced that when he wants to spend big, they will let him, but we just aren't seeing it."
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 20, 2026
There's sort of a disconnect between what Buster Posey and Giants ownership are saying, says @SplashHitPod contributor @SusanSlusser. pic.twitter.com/YOEuvhpGZG
So far, the most notable additions have been right-handers Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser. Solid veterans, sure, with career ERAs hovering just above 4.00, but not exactly game-changers in a National League that’s growing more competitive by the day.
Posey has made it clear he believes the front office will back him when it’s time to spend big. But that time hasn’t come yet-and the silence is starting to get loud.
Giants reporter Susan Slusser pointed out the disconnect during an appearance on the “Foul Territory” podcast with AJ Pierzynski, saying, “He seems convinced that when he wants to spend big, they will let him, but we just aren't seeing it.” That hesitation may be strategic-perhaps waiting for late-market value as spring training nears-but it's not easing concerns among a restless fanbase.
Last season, Posey pulled off a bold midseason trade, landing slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. The move was a headline-grabber, and Devers delivered with a 130 OPS+ over 90 games-well above league average.
But the team didn’t improve, and now the Giants are on the hook for over $220 million still owed to the three-time All-Star. That deal alone isn’t the issue-it’s the context.
The Giants also committed $182 million over seven years to shortstop Willy Adames last offseason, and the return on that investment has been underwhelming so far.
That’s likely part of the calculus for chairman Greg Johnson and the rest of the ownership group. When a team underperforms despite big spending, there’s often a hesitancy to throw more money at the problem.
And to be fair, spending alone doesn’t guarantee results. The challenge isn’t just adding talent-it’s adding the right talent.
Enter Tony Vitello, the new manager tasked with getting more out of this roster. Known for his energy and player-first approach, Vitello brings a fresh voice to the dugout. The Giants are banking on his leadership to spark internal improvement, especially with a roster that still has pieces to work with.
But patience has its limits. If the Giants open 2026 with the same inconsistency that’s plagued them in recent seasons, a quiet offseason will quickly become a loud talking point. Posey’s long-term vision may still be taking shape, but in a division where standing still often means falling behind, the margin for error is razor-thin.
For now, the Giants are betting on continuity and internal growth. But if the results don’t follow, this conservative winter could come back to haunt them.