Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have been fairly active this offseason, but it sure doesn't feel that way. Such is the nature of the MLB offseason, where negotiations drag on needlessly to the point of absurdity. The Giants signed Korean star Jung Hoo Lee to a $113 deal; they traded for 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray. The SF Giants also found their backup catcher in lefty-masher Tom Murphy.

However, the pace of the MLB offseason is way too slow. And Giants president of baseball operations had a very interesting idea on how to fix it when he appeared on the Athletic's TK Show podcast with Tim Kawakami. Zaidi suggested a three to four week deadline for players to sign multi-year deals. That way, even if players aren't able to a land a multi-year deal, they'd still get a chance to cash in big on a one-year deal. It's an interesting idea that's worth seriously considering given how tedious the MLB offseason has become. It's not good for players, teams, or fans.

Also discussed on today's crossover between Locked On Giants and Locked On D-backs: The state of the NL West. The Dodgers are obviously a powerhouse, particularly after adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow. The D-backs are the defending NL champs. The Padres are a huge wild card. Where does that all leave the San Francisco Giants? Left in the dust? On the cusp of contention? The Giants have some pieces and some upside, but they must continue to add players this offseason or they look like a fourth-place team.

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

Gametime

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

FanDuel

 Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED when you place a FIVE DOLLAR BET.  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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The San Francisco Giants recently made a savvy trade, acquiring 2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray for two players who were highly expendable to the Giants. In exchange for Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani, the Giants picked up a left-handed pitcher with Cy-Young upside. The downside? He's currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected back until about midway through the season.

With that in mind, where do the SF Giants stand after the acquisition of Ray, in addition to their signing of Jung Hoo Lee for $113 million and their signing of backup catcher Tom Murphy for a guaranteed $8.25M with a club option for a third year? Well, simply put, the SF Giants must do significantly more to put a highly competitive and compelling product on the field. The Giants' moves have been solid so far, but they ought to strike big with one or more remaining free agents.

Players like Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman come to mind. The Giants' need to improve is especially stark in comparison to the rival Dodgers, who added Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto this winter. Locked On Giants and Locked On D-backs discuss the Dodgers' extreme spending spree and whether or not these huge expenditures—and deferrals—are good or bad for baseball.

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

Gametime

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

FanDuel

 Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY in BONUS BETS – GUARANTEED when you place a FIVE DOLLAR BET.  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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The San Francisco Giants just made the most significant trade, by far, of the Farhan Zaidi era. The SF Giants acquired 2021 Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray—who's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery—in exchange for outfielder Mitch Haniger and starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. First reaction: This is an A+ trade for the Giants, who get Cy Young upside in exchange for two players who were not performing well and who created logjams on their team.

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

Gametime

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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's no secret that the San Francisco Giants have had a hard time luring big-name free agents to play for the team. With that in mind, which of the remaining free agents would be worth "overpaying" in order to finalize a deal? All of the players remaining who are projected to land deals north of $100M—Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, Matt Chapman, and Jordan Montgomery—are discussed. Not all would be worth it, but some would. Clayton Kershaw on a one- or two-year deal might also be worth "overpaying," although the chances of Kershaw pitching for the SF Giants are essentially zero.

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

Do you think MLB should put rules in place to encourage more free agent activity within certain timeframes to increase off-season excitement, similar to what the NBA has?

Thoughts on what could make the MLB off-season more exciting? I’d favor a deadline for free agents. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) and Jung Hoo Lee (Giants) had deadlines, and that didn’t impact their ability to maximize their value. I’m just sick of waiting on Scott Boras clients every off-season.

What pitcher is projected to start the second game of the year for the SF Giants as of today?

Been lots of weird quotes: “break even,” “employee benefits,” coming from the front office this offseason. What does this say about the Giants as a organization and the direction they are heading?

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

Gametime

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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN's Jeff Passan is arguably baseball's most trustworthy reporter, and he wrote today that "One team opposing organizations expect to sign at least one top-end Boras client: the San Francisco Giants..." Passan is referring to Boras' 'Big 4': Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery, and Matt Chapman. It's not surprising that opposing teams view the SF Giants as a likely destination for at least one of these players. The Giants are still believed to be big-game hunting; it's just been a very slow-moving market.

The impending close of Shota Imanaga's posting window is likely holding up the market to a degree, particularly for Snell and Montgomery. Imanaga's 45-day posting window expires a week from Thursday, and he is expected to command a deal of at least $100 million, per Passan. The Giants make sense for Imanaga, just like they do for fellow lefty starters Snell and Montgomery.

Finally, Passan also mentions the SF Giants as a possible destination for high-end relievers Josh Hader, Jordan Hicks, and Robert Stephenson. He also lists the Giants among the select group of teams looking at the veteran position player market, which Passan says is "in danger of collapsing" due to low overall demand. The names mentioned: Teoscar Hernandez, Jorge Soler, J.D. Martinez, Justin Turner, Rhys Hoskins, Joc Pederson, Brandon Belt, Harrison Bader, Michael A. Taylor, Tommy Pham, Adam Duvall, and Eddie Rosario. It's difficult to see any of these players fitting the SF Giants well, but there are perhaps a few exceptions.

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

Gametime

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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The year 2024 is soon to be upon us, so perhaps it's time to start thinking about the 2024-25 free agent class. Headlining that class, assuming the Yankees don't extend him, will be Juan Soto entering his age-26 season. Should the San Francisco Giants make a serious run at Soto, as they have in recent years with Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Carlos Correa, and Shohei Ohtani? The Giants absolutely should, but fans have learned by now not to expect the SF Giants to land the big fish, even if fans accept that the Giants are giving it their best effort.

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

What is the Giants' payroll status for 2024 after committing $7 million to Jung Hoo Lee? In your opinion could they afford to sign two more nine-figure free agents this year like Blake Snell and Matt Chapman?

Why have I heard literally nothing about the Giants pursuing Shota Imanaga? He would help capture Japan fan interest, and would be upper rotation. Great to pair with Snell.

It seems like every player wants to be a Dodger and no one wants to be a Giant. It starts with drafting a developing star talent. Farhan Zaidi has failed to do this so far. Is there any hope this will happen in the future?

What is the difference between generously giving Carlos Correa a 13-year deal when you know he will not be good at the end of it vs. being much more conservative with long term deals for starting pitchers?

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

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The San Francisco Giants' disappointing 2023 season was largely defined by the team-wide offensive collapse that started in late June. Outside of Wilmer Flores, pretty much every SF Giants player struggled offensively from July through the end of the season. Overall, the Giants have been below average offensively since the start of the 2022 season. With that in mind, even with the SF Giants' addition of Jung Hoo Lee, how much confidence should fans have in the team's offense heading into 2024 if they don't make any more acquisitions? The answer? Not very confident. The Giants still have a lot of work to do offensively, unless they want to go all-in on pitching and defense, which is a possibility given the pitching-heavy state of the free agent market.

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

Why would the Giants even entertain the idea of signing Matt Chapman if that means blocking Casey Schmitt for six years or whatever it would take to sign him. He (Chapman) hits like J.D. Davis and fields like Casey. Should put resources toward another position.

It seems people are down on Chapman because they have Schmitt. Can you touch on this? Just seems unfair towards Chapman.

Is there a trade or free agent upgrade that would be better than the LaMonte Wade Jr./Wilmer Flores platoon at first base? Could this platoon be a sneaky strength of the team? Flores and Wade, overall, had fine 2023 seasons.

Are the KBO/AA comparisons legit? If so do you think Lee can adjust to the MLB? He is coming to one of the hardest parks to hit in after all.

I think the standard of national baseball reporting has been shown up badly this off season. How can “ordinary fans” discern reliable hotel stove reporting?

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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While in many ways this San Francisco Giants offseason has already been defined by more disappointment, with top targets Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto both signing with the rival Dodgers, there's still plenty of time for the Giants to have a good winter. Unlike last year, when all of the top talent was gone after the SF Giants' deal with Carlos Correa fell apart over medical concerns, this year's free agent market has been slow moving and seven of the top 10 free agents, per MLB Trade Rumors, remain unsigned.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman said today that the San Francisco Giants are still "big game hunting" after missing out on Ohtani and Yamamoto. Heyman names Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman as players the SF Giants may be targeting. Susan Slusser of the San Francsico Chronicle also mentioned those three players on an appearance Tuesday on MLB Network.

Snell, Bellinger, and Chapman are discussed at length. Each player has legitimate upside and/or a high floor, but each player also has questions about future performance. Snell and Chapman are entering their age-31 seasons, while Bellinger is only 28. While none of the three represent perfect fits for the Giants for various reasons, it's time for the team to take some risks as they seek to re-energize a bored and frustrated fan base, while also propelling the team to the postseason for what would be just the second time since 2017.

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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will not pitch for the San Francisco Giants. Instead, he will pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yes, the SF Giants were rejected once again by a high-profile free agent, something that has become all too familiar of a feeling for Giants fans in recent seasons. Bryce Harper. Aaron Judge. Shohei Ohtani. Yamamoto. Those players were all highly coveted by the Giants but chose to sign elsewhere. The disappointment is adding up (but let's not forget the Giants did sign Korean star Jung Hoo Lee to the fourth-largest free-agent contract so far this winter).

What is the Giants' path forward from here? In free agency, Blake Snell, Shota Imanaga, Jordan Montgomery, and Marcus Stroman stand out as the best remaining fits, with Snell having the best upside and Imanaga perhaps being the wisest investment.

On the position player side, it's basically just Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman before a huge drop off, and both players are fits, but imperfect ones, for the Giants. Trades are also a possibility as well, and Ha-Seong Kim stands out as an ideal trade candidate for 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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ha-Seong Kim to the San Francisco Giants? For the Giants, Kim is just about the perfect player for a number of reasons. He's great defensively. He's good friends with new SF Giants center fielder Jung Hoo Lee. Kim loved played under new Giants manager Bob Melvin. He plays shortstop, second, and third. Marco Luciano is unproven at shortstop and it would be great for the SF Giants to have a premium insurance plan like Kim in case Luciano doesn't take the job and run with it.

But what about from the Padres' perspective? Why would they trade Kim if he's become such a valuable player? There are legitimate reasons. Jake Cronenworth, whom the Padres extended prior to last season, is forced to play out of position at first base with Kim on the roster. San Diego is locked into Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts for the next decade, and Cronenworth for seven more seasons as well. Trading Kim, who has just one year remaining on his deal, would allow Cronenworth to recoup a lot of the value he loses by playing a far less premium position. San Diego could trade Kim to the Giants (or another team) while adding players at a position that's a more pressing need.

That's where some hypothetical deals come in between the SF Giants and the Pads. The Giants are flooded with outfielders on their 40-man roster, and the Padres, after trading away Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, are short on outfielders. The SF Giants also have a lot of young pitching available. Whether it's Michael Conforto or Mitch Haniger (with the Giants also sending money in the deal), LaMonte Wade Jr. or J.D. Davis, or some young pitching (or all of the above), there are reasons to believe that a Kim trade to the SF Giants is a real possibility. It certainly could make sense for both sides.

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

FanDuel

Score early this NFL season with FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook! Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR MONEYLINE BET! That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS – if your team 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)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices