Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

We've been talking for weeks about how the San Francisco Giants are poised to enter the season with one of the more inexperienced pitching staffs in recent memory. One of the consequences is that several players who look like they're going to make the Giants' Opening Day roster will need to be added to the 40-man roster, which currently stands at 39. When all is said and done, the SF Giants may need to make a surprising DFA or two, or trade(s), to clear some room.

Among the other questions asked and answered on today's mailbag edition of the Locked On Giants podcast:

Who on the Giants do you see making the biggest offensive improvement from last year?

How come our shortstop, Marco Luciano, can't hit the ball?

Are there any Vaun Brown progress updates?

Is Mason Black going to be on the Opening Day roster?

If the SF Giants don’t sign Blake Snell for whatever reason, could they still trade for a veteran shortstop (because I hear Luciano isn’t ready), or sign another veteran pitcher like Mike Clevinger or Michael Lorenzen?

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

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Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

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Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Twenty-two-year-old San Francisco Giants outfield prospect Luis Matos held his own in the majors last season as a 21-year-old rookie. Matos then added over 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason and has slugged all spring. With new center fielder Jung Hoo Lee in the fold, Matos can focus on corner outfield, where he profiles better as a defender. However, Matos may still find himself on the outside looking in of the SF Giants' roster on Opening Day.

Michael Conforto, Lee, Mike Yastrzemski, and Austin Slater all hold positions over Matos for various reasons. Most importantly, it's a matter of protecting inventory. A baseball season is a battle of attrition. Guys get hurt and replacements are needed constantly. Matos figures to hear his name called as soon as there's any injury in the outfield. But until then, he may have to wait his turn, unless the Giants make a surprising move such as trading a veteran with an established track record like Conforto.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Padres made yet another big splash, acquiring starting pitcher Dylan Cease in a trade with the White Sox. The Padres are not afraid to make moves, though those moves have frequently backfired or simply not led to great results. Still, there's no doubt that Cease makes the Padres better, and by doing so, hurts the Giants' playoff odds. If the Giants want to add premier pitching, Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery remain on the free-agent market.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

In just over two weeks, the San Francisco Giants will open the 2024 season on the road against the rival Padres. Who, exactly, will be the 26 Giants that line up on the chalk to kick off the season? The SF Giants' probably Opening Day roster is broken down in detail, starting with two notable omissions. At shortstop, Marco Luciano seems to have lost the job (for now, at least) to veteran Gold Glover Nick Ahmed. In the outfield, there simply isn't room for Luis Matos. Both have minor league options and appear headed to Triple-A to start the season—barring any injuries.

Elsewhere on the diamond, Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy are the catching duo that will start the Giants' season, with Joey Bart out of options and destined for another team before the opener. LaMonte Wade Jr. and Wilmer Flores form a strong platoon at first. Thairo Estrada, Matt Chapman, and Jorge Soler are everyday presences at second, third, and DH, respectively. In the outfield, Michael Conforto (left), Jung Hoo Lee (center), and Mike Yastrzesmki/Austin Slater (look like the go-to group), with Tyler Fitzgerald sneaking into the last spot on the roster as a super-utility player.

The pitching is way less clear. We all know Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Camilo Doval, the Rogers twins, Ryan Walker, and Luke Jackson will take up eight of 13 spots among the pitching group, but what about the other five? The Giants need two more starters, and those are likely to be Keaton Winn and Mason Black at this point in time. In the bullpen, a mix of lesser-known names such as Ethan Small (lefty), Spencer Howard, and Daulton Jefferies could round out the staff.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The San Francisco Giants and J.D. Davis' agent, Matt Hannaford, are engaged in a war of words after Davis was released by the Giants on Monday, leaving Davis with just a fraction of his non-guaranteed $6.9 million salary. Did the Giants do something wrong, or did Davis' agent overplay his hand?

All of the details and public comments are discussed and analyzed. In essence, both parties claim that the SF Giants came in with an offer that was, according to Hannaford, "several hundred thousand" below the SF Giants' $6.55M filing number within an hour of the deadline to exchange figures. Giants president of baseball operations responded very specifically, saying that the Giants' offer was for just under $6.4M. Regardless, the key point is that had Davis' representation accepted the Giants' offer, that money would be guaranteed. If they passed on the offer and the deadline to exchange figures arrived, which it ultimately did, then Davis would go to an arbitration hearing fighting for non-guaranteed money.

Any way you look at this, it seems like Davis' agent did a poor job helping his client. The SF Giants were linked to Matt Chapman all offseason. Davis himself commented publicly on the possibility of the Giants signing Chapman before it happened. So there's absolutely no reason Davis should've let this go to an arbitration hearing, knowing that the money would not be guaranteed if it did—whether they won or lost the hearing.

What ended up transpiring was that the Giants did indeed sign Chapman, clearly making Davis the odd man out. Davis' agent should've known that would be the case—it was immediately discussed on Locked On Giants once the Chapman deal was reported. The SF Giants looked for a trade partner for Davis, were unable to find one, and put him on outright waivers. Any team could've claimed Davis and his $6.9M (non-guaranteed through Opening Day) salary, and every team passed. At that point, the Giants were left with no choice but to release Davis, leaving him with just 30 days pay, or just over $1.1M. All in all, this looks like a major blunder by Davis' representation and not really something that the Giants did wrong. It stinks for J.D. Davis nonetheless and hopefully he lands on his feet. Davis ultimately made north of $6M in his 1 1/3 seasons with the Giants.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Two rain-outs in two days—in Arizona?! Things are weird in the Cactus League and the San Francisco Giants' spring schedule has been victimized. Fans were also robbed of two rare televised SF Giants spring games. However, we did get to see two innings of Giants young lefty starter Kyle Harrison dominating the Dodgers' (admittedly 'B') lineup. 

The SF Giants' offense and defense also shined in the two-inning game. It's a bit of a stretch to say that the offense shined, given that they didn't collect a single hit, but almost every plate appearance was a grind and they really made Dodgers starter James Paxton work in the first after he got the first two outs. Jung Hoo Lee, Wilmer Flores,  Michael Conforto, Jorge Soler, and Matt Chapman were all selective and looked like tough outs. Nick Ahmed also saved a run on defense with a diving play, and he's looking more and more like the likely Opening Day shortstop, with Marco Luciano potentially ticketed for Triple-A.

With the Giants' offense and defense looking significantly improved, there's a big elephant in the room. Yes, Kyle Harrison has ace upside. Yes, Logan Webb already is an ace. But in Harrison, Jordan Hicks, and whoever else is projected to round out the SF Giants' rotation, they seem to be missing a top-end veteran addition like Blake Snell. Alex Cobb is progressing well and is ahead of schedule, so that could play a role in the Giants' decision making, but adding the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner certainly wouldn't be a bad thing for a team that otherwise looks ready to win now.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Marco Luciano came into spring training as the San Francisco Giants' presumptive Opening Day shortstop. A couple of weeks into games and the thinking may start to be shifting. Luciano has struck out in over 50% of his plate appearances, which is a continuation of a high-strikeout tendency Luciano displayed in the SF Giants' Triple-A and major league levels in 2023. With veteran Gold Glove winner Nick Ahmed in camp, in addition to other shortstop options like Tyler Fitzgerald, Casey Schmitt, and others, it's certainly possible that the Giant send Luciano to Triple-A to start the season where he can look to get hot and eventually claim a starting role in the majors. There's no reason for the Giants to rush the 22-year-old Marco Luciano.

Among the other questions asked and answered on today's mailbag edition of the Locked On Giants podcast:

What do you think Casey Schmitt’s future looks like now with Matt Chapman signing and a logjam at SS? Do you think they’ll keep him around for when/if Chapman opts out or is he on the trade table?

How come Joey Bart hasn’t been traded yet? Can the Giants package J.D. Davis and Bart and get something back? It would be nice to sign Blake Snell and then get Bart and Davis off the books.

Any Pablo Sandoval sightings? Haven’t heard of any AB’s

What are we going to do about the pitching dilemma? We need to add two starters in my opinion. Snell/Jordan Montgomery and a starter via trade (Jesus Luzardo, Shane Bieber, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert)

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

At this point in the offseason, with spring training well underway and the regular season on the horizon, things have to be getting pretty uncomfortable for Blake Snell. He must remain on the San Francisco Giants' radar, and they legitimately could strike at any time. What kind of contract will Snell ultimately land? What number should make SF Giants fans feel like it's a wise investment? Will Snell's next deal be short- or long-term?

Among the other questions asked and answered on today's mailbag edition of the Locked On Giants podcast:

How would you grade the Giants' offseason with the moves currently made? And if they signed Snell, what would their grade be?

Could we make the roster work while keeping J.D. Davis? Bench could look like J.D., Murphy, Wilmer, Slater. Could Chapman, Thairo, and Wilmer fill in at shortstop when necessary behind Ahmed (assuming he wins the starting job)?

NL West projections as currently constructed?

I’d like to see an exploration of a trade for Dylan Cease. I think the Giants would have to give up too much, but some folks like Marty Lurie think it would be a great move.

What SS do you think the Giants could get if they offered in a trade: Marco Luciano, Mason Black, J.D. Davis, and Joey Bart?

Do Mike Clevinger or Michael Lorenzen make more sense for a fit if they’re able to move off of Davis’s contract in a trade of some sort?

 Is Madison Bumgarner coming back? Odds?

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel
New customers, join today and you’ll get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The San Francisco Giants' addition of Matt Chapman certainly made things awkward for incumbent Giants third baseman J.D. Davis. With the SF Giants adding Chapman to the fold, it's hard to see how J.D. Davis cracks the roster. Chapman is here to play third base; shortstop is not going to happen. The DH spot is occupied by Jorge Soler. Wilmer Flores and LaMonte Wade Jr. take up first base for the SF Giants. That leaves J.D. Davis without a starting job and without a spot on the bench.

Another player who seemingly needs to be dealt is Joey Bart. For both players, the only way they'd seem to stick on the roster would be in the event of an unfortunate injury. Chapman, Soler, or Flores getting hurt could keep Davis around. For Bart, an injury to Patrick Bailey or Tom Murphy—signed to a two-year deal this offseason to be Bailey's backup—could keep him around, although Blake Sabol may even make the team ahead of the out-of-options Bart even though Sabol can be optioned.

If the Giants want to add one more big-name starter (either Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery), they'd have to clear some payroll or else go over the first luxury tax threshold. One player the Giants could trade in order to do so: Michael Conforto. Luis Matos seems deserving of a role in the majors, and Conforto is standing in his way. And his $18M salary could stand in the way of the SF Giants signing one more big-name pitcher, something they need with an inexperienced rotation that continues to get bit by the injury bug. The latest casualty is Sean Hjelle, who will be shut down and re-evaluated in two weeks with an elbow sprain.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Amazon Fire TV
Fire TV recently created Fire TV Channels to deliver a constant supply of the latest videos from your favorite sports brands, all for free. That includes all of us at Locked On and most of the big pro leagues and college conferences as well. To Learn More, visit www.amazon.com/LockedOnFireTV

PrizePicks
Go to PrizePicks.com/lockedonmlb and use code lockedonmlb for a first deposit match up to $100!

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

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Platinum Glove third baseman Matt Chapman is officially a member of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants and Chapman were long thought to be a perfect match, and on Sunday, the three-year, $54M deal with opt outs was officially announced. Matt Chapman's deal with the Giants also includes a previously-unreported $20M fourth-year mutual option with a $1M buyout.

What is Chapman's impact on the Giants? How do the SF Giants now stack up in a National League with quite a bit of parity outside of the top two and bottom two teams. Do the Giants need to make one more move, namely for a starting pitcher? Their starting rotation outside of Logan Webb has upside and is intriguing, but it's a largely unproven group and it's already taken some injury hits.

Is Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery the answer? Probably so. Will the San Francisco Giants be willing and able to land either player? The Giants' addition of Chapman pushes them close to the first luxury tax threshold of $237M. J.D. Davis doesn't really fit the roster anymore and may very well be traded, which would free up $6.9M (if a team assumed his whole contract). Michael Conforto is another under-the-radar trade candidate given his $18M salary and the SF Giants' potential desire to clear payroll space in order to add a frontline starter that they appear to need in order to complete what would be a fantastic offseason.

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The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

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The San Francisco Giants have been lurking all offseason. The Giants have made solid move after solid move, and on Friday night, they snagged the best position player left on the market, Matt Chapman, to a deal that's worth two to three times less than what the industry initially expected him to land. The SF Giants and Chapman agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with opt outs after the first two seasons. Most in the industry expected Chapman to sign for somewhere in the neighborhood of 4-6 years at $25M per year, so $100M to $150M. 

Chapman brings a plus-plus glove to the Giants at third base. He brings instant credibility to the lineup and defense, as well as in the clubhouse. He helps fill the leadership void after the departure of Brandon Crawford to St. Louis. Matt Chapman is also no slouch at the plate, although he can be streaky. Overall, he's been much better per plate appearance than J.D. Davis both in his career and in the last three years. So Chapman represents a significant third base upgrade for the San Francisco Giants.

There appears to be no more room for Davis on the roster, so a trade seems likely. Something else that could perhaps be likely is the SF Giants signing Blake Snell. Both the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser and NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic mentioned that the Giants are still in on Snell, with Slusser saying they're still very much involved and Pavlovic going so far as to say there's been optimism about a potential deal. Signing Snell would be the icing on the cake of a great offseason for the Giants.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

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🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

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