There’s a good chance this week will be the last we hear from Buster Posey or Tony Vitello for a while. The two are in Las Vegas for the general managers’ meetings, two-ish weeks before an almost-certain work stoppage.
With that in mind, we should savor every bite of Vitello’s word salads. He chatted with Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle and shared four objectives he has for the 2027 Giants. Let’s break it down.
1. Throwing strikes with presence and attitude: I love this. Strikes with vibes. What does it mean? Whatever you want it to mean. The Giants threw 14,894 strikes last year, the fifth-fewest in baseball. How many of those were thrown with presence and attitude? Not enough.
2. Tightening late-game management: The bullpen issues were apparent all year. They’re not all Vitello’s fault, even if he made his fair share of questionable decisions. (Is Matt Gage still on the mound at Coors Field?) There’s a pinch-running and pinch-hitting lens to this, too. Vitello needs to use his bench more.
3. Trusting the entire lineup to produce: I’m not sure I follow this one. If anything, last year was an exercise in too much trust. What has to happen for Willy Adames to get a day off?
4. Keeping up defensive focus: Yes.
Other observations
• Andrew Baggarly wrote a thorough dispatch from Day 1 of the meetings. In one breath Posey said, “I do think we can contend.” In another he said he views Adrian Houser as a starter, with Yunior Marte and Anthony Molina as possibilities to fill the rotation. I say these statements are incompatible with each other.
(Remember, we’re judging the Giants on what they do. Not what they say. Right? Right.)
• Mitch Bannon of The Athletic says the Blue Jays have “at least internally” discussed a trade for Willy Adames. Posey told reporters Wednesday “We’ve gotta listen on just about anybody.” Yes.
• John Shea of the San Francisco Standard reports the Giants “definitely” don’t plan on getting involved with top free agent pitcher Tarik Skubal. I strongly disagree with this but it’s not my $400 million.
• It sounds like the Giants are also going to avoid free agents who received a qualifying offer. That means no Adrian Morejon or David Bednar. Baggarly pointed to Raisel Iglesias and Kenley Jansen as long-time closers who could be a fit.
• Growing up, I remember Taira Uematsu always being one of the first people Jon Miller would introduce on Opening Day. This made sense—Uematsu was a bullpen catcher for years and years. He was promoted onto the Giants coaching staff in 2022 and now he’s going to be first base coach next season. Quite a run, quite a rise. Go Taira.
Throwing strikes is a great goal. Taking walks is a great goal. Having a functional pitching staff is a great goal. Playing great defense is a great goal. Being smart and aggressive on the basepaths is a great goal.
Buster has shown a great vision for the Giants.
What he hasn’t shown is a skillset to achieve these goals or even the skillset to begin answer the question of how to achieve these goals.
Most importantly he hasn’t shown self awareness of his own limitations and a desire to hire those with the skills to compensate for his deficiencies.
I don’t care if Giants’ pitchers throw strikes with evasiveness and sheepishness, just throw strikes!