The San Francisco Giants' offseason has been, to put it mildly, puzzling - and not just for fans. Around the league, insiders are scratching their heads trying to make sense of the approach taken by president of baseball operations Buster Posey and his front office.
So far, the Giants’ major league roster additions have been limited to a single free agent signing - left-handed reliever Sam Hentges on a modest one-year, $1.4 million deal - and a lone trade for a backup catcher. That’s it. For a team that’s reportedly been in the mix for some big-name free agents, the lack of movement has raised more questions than answers.
Veteran baseball insider Ken Rosenthal added his voice to the chorus of confusion during a recent episode of Foul Territory, a weekly baseball show on YouTube. When a fan asked if the Giants might pivot and make a play for top-tier free agents still on the market - names like Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette came up - Rosenthal didn’t sound optimistic.
"Bichette would particularly be a great fit," Rosenthal said, but his tone made it clear he wasn’t holding his breath. “They are acting curiously,” he added, pointing to reports that the Giants aren’t pursuing Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai - someone who, on paper, would be a natural fit for a rotation that could use reinforcements.
That’s where the real head-scratching begins. The Giants have already committed major dollars to three position players - Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman - so it’s understandable if they’re hesitant to hand out another massive contract to a hitter.
But pitching? That’s where the restraint doesn’t quite add up.
Rosenthal noted that the team seems reluctant to spend at the top of the market, even for arms, which is surprising given their current roster construction. “Why they wouldn’t continue spending on pitching is a little curious to me,” he said.
There is one potential move that many around the league expect: a reunion between new Giants manager Tony Vitello and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. The two go way back to their days at the University of Missouri, where Vitello coached Scherzer. That connection makes a deal feel plausible - but even if it happens, Rosenthal was quick to point out that one veteran starter won’t be enough.
“From that perspective, and maybe some bullpen help as well, I’m a little baffled by the Giants and their seeming retrenchment here,” he said. “When you’ve spent heavily on those three position players, you’d think you’d want to keep going instead of kind of going backwards. And I’m not sure which way they’re going exactly.”
That sense of uncertainty is echoed by recent reports that the Giants are actively exploring the trade market, particularly at second base. According to The Athletic, San Francisco is one of two teams in serious pursuit of Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan and is also engaged in trade talks with the Diamondbacks for three-time All-Star Ketel Marte.
Marte would be the splashier acquisition, but there are some serious hurdles. Not only is he just one year into a seven-year, $116.5 million deal, but he also has the Giants listed on his limited no-trade clause. That means any deal would need his approval - and trading a star to a division rival is never easy, even if all parties are on board.
Still, the Giants appear to be casting a wide net. Whether that leads to a major move or just more rumors remains to be seen. Until they make a definitive splash - whether it’s via trade or in free agency - the questions around their offseason direction aren’t going away anytime soon.
For now, the Giants are a team in limbo: not rebuilding, not all-in, and not particularly easy to read. And in a National League that’s only getting more competitive, standing still might be the riskiest move of all.