Where'd all your money go?
It's one of the many questions you should be asking the Giants.
Channeling my inner Peter King and hitting you with 6 Things I Think as the Giants plod along this winter.
1. I think the latest reporting from Alex Pavlovic and Andrew Baggarly makes it clear the Giants will not pay big money to anyone this winter.
I understand not wanting to overload the payroll with nine-figure contracts.
I don’t understand how you expect to break free of 81-81.
Your best chance to win with a veteran core of players is right now, not 2029. You don’t spend $170+ million just to have a chance in September.
2. I think the odds that Bryce Eldridge will make the team out of spring training just took a hit. GM Zack Minasian recently said Rafael Devers is a better first baseman than Eldridge. Maybe it’s more of hat tip to Devers than an indictment of Eldridge. Still, it caught me off guard. Eldridge will have to hit his way onto the roster. First base won’t be handed to him.
3. I think I’m skeptical of the Giants’ ability to win a trade war. They’re reportedly competing with the Mariners for Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan. They’re also engaged in trade talks around DBacks second baseman Ketel Marte.
4. I think I’m really skeptical the DBacks would trade their longtime star within the division. And can Buster Posey really stomach doing the same with Eldridge, or whoever he has to trade?
5. I think the Giants are the kings of “checking in,” “showing interest,” “kicking the tires,” and “casting a wide net.” Cody Bellinger is the latest to join the club. (He’d be great in the outfield, at least.)
6. I think the Hall of Fame’s yearslong crusade against Barry Bonds and the poster boys of the steroid era is infuriating. It took Jeff Kent getting into the Hall for my feelings to really crystallize. The museum, which is not run by MLB, has changed its rules twice to weed out the people they don’t want enshrined. But they wouldn’t tell you that. They’d tell you nothing other than the rules are changing. Why, you’re wondering? Sorry, it’s hard to hear your questions up in the ivory tower.
History, I believe, will not land on the Hall’s side. Public sentiment will continue to tilt toward enshrining these players as the public forgives, if not forgets. And I do believe Bonds, Roger Clemens, and their peers will get their day in Cooperstown. Hopefully they’re still alive for it.
🎧 In our latest podcast, Kerry and I get into the Hall of Fame nonsense, what actually happens at the winter meetings, and more.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a restful holiday.
Please ask Kerry to expand on his comments: Vogt and Murphy would exit their contracts to join Posey if they could. Any manager can exit his contract. Vogt signed an extension. Kerry’s super smart so curious to know more details.
Does Kerry/you find it odd Hundley withdrew to become a finalist for Padres manager? Other than being closer to home, nothing is “family friendly” about the unstable Padres: family lawsuit, ownership for sale, Preller high manager turnover, contract extension TBD. Royals Scott Sharp also resigned from GM search citing family reasons. Sharp was a candidate for the Rockies job 1 year later. Are the Rockies really a more desirable GM role vs Giants? John Shea said Minasian always hung around during GM search. Did Zack get the job because Giants couldn’t attract any more qualified candidates? Maybe they don’t want to work for a franchise icon who has unchecked power? As Baggs reported: Only Posey could extend Chapman, trade for Devers, extend Melvin, fire Melvin, hire Vitello. Maybe Hundley doesn’t want to teach instructional league fundamentals
Baggs wrote that Posey/ownership team felt that no first-year manager could be expected to succeed with late signings, injuries after a disappointing 2024. Baggs fell for it. 3x MoY was reframed as a first-time manager.
More words were written on standing up for the Anthem to prepare players for game than Melvin’s pre-game drills which only Eno Sarris flagged on Opening Day 2024: “Gone are all the innovations in pre game, like it’s always been. Eyewash wins.” Postseason: Pavs says on pod Posey was never happy with Melvin’s pre-game drills. FP also said it. Baggs was right to be furious with Renel’s press release but doesn’t hold Posey accountable gaslighting everyone with Melvin’s extension press release.
The media says Posey sees the big picture, all overlooked first-year manager Skip Schumaker out-managing Melvin’s Padres, which had the highest payroll in franchise history, Cy Young anchored elite SP and a RD: + 104 but missed postseason by 2 games with No Identity. Marlins bottom payroll. Giants need to be more competitive vs NLW. Instructional league play vs Padres September 2024. No Identity. How did Posey miss all that, especially in his own ballpark?
How did Melvin only win 1 more game in 2025 with a more talented, healthier team than 2024? Malpractice 2023 Padres, 2025 Giants missed postseason
Why is Posey still being treated like a franchise icon with his hands tied? Posey has MORE power, influence and is on his THIRD manager:
Served on Board that approved Kapler’s fire, Melvin’s hire, Zaidi’s fire.
As POBO: extended Melvin, fired Melvin, hired Vitello.
Why didn’t the Board fire Zaidi in 2023? = no launch angle data driven baseball, opt-outs, Boras lame duck contracts like Snell’s $17 million. Posey joined Board 9/22: Mission Rock, PE, long-term budget plans all had to be reviewed by Board.
If Posey didn’t like the “breakeven” direction, why did he stay on Board and become POBO? How many GMs would kill to see financial books for a full 2 years before joining?!
The media and Posey/Johnson ignored Melvin’s 🚩in 2023 and 2024
Baseball is a business and Posey’s tenure so far 🚩 Connor was correct to be skeptical of Posey’s hire. Don’t let off the gas when 🚩appear if you love Giants
Where did all the money go? Not firing Zaidi 2023, approving/extending Melvin, Vitello hire
Adames said in late summer: Giants are an org searching for an Identity.
No Identity. Highest 🚩 alert, but media is focusing more on record crowds @ Fan Fests
Admittedly, the offseason has been underwhelming so far. Maybe this is a test of Vitello and his staff to get the team to play above its 81-81 look? I don't think that is what ownership is necessarily thinking, but maybe by default, that's what it is.
I'm trying to remain positive/grasping?