Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have a true homegrown ace in Logan Webb. Nothing better demonstrates that fact than Webb finishing second in the 2023 Cy Young Award voting. Webb finished behind Blake Snell, someone who's actually been linked to the Giants. Webb has been consistently excellent for three seasons, beginning with a breakout 2021. This year, Webb led the NL in innings and had a sparkling 3.25 ERA. Webb's five-year extension, which begins next year, looked like a great move for the SF Giants at the time and looks even better now.

In other news, Jon Heyman of MLB Network said that the Giants are "in on everyone." He includes players like Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman as players in whom the SF Giants are interested. Heyman is a relatively trustworthy reporter, although he has been known to be a bit of a mouthpiece for mega agent Scott Boras.

And then we have Jim Bowden, a former MLB GM, saying that he believes the San Francisco Giants will make the best offer to Ohtani. But before Giants fans get too excited about that, it's worth pointing out that Bowden says what many others have said: Ohtani's No. 1 goal is winning. And while the Giants aren't in a horrible position, there are certainly teams that are better now and set up well for the future. And despite being a former GM, Bowden isn't the most reliable reporter so his comments should be taken with a grain of salt.

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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.

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The San Francisco Giants' coaching staff under new manager Bob Melvin has finally been finalized. When the Giants announced most of their staff late last week, there were some notable omissions: they didn't having a pitching coach nor a bullpen coach. Today, those positions were officially filled. Bryan Price, longtime MLB pitching coach and former Reds manager, will be the SF Giants' new pitching coach, and Garvin Alston will be promoted from Triple-A to be the Giants' bullpen coach.

In other news, today was the deadline for teams to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. The SF Giants made a somewhat surprising move by adding RHP Trevor McDonald, who's only pitched as high as A-ball. LHP Erik Miller and RHP Kai-Wei Teng were also added and figure to be in the pitching mix next season.

The legacy of the late Peter Seidler is discussed last. Seidler, the owner of the San Diego Padres, died today at the age of 63. It's news that sent shock waves throughout the industry. Seidler is beloved in San Diego for putting his money where his mouth was after becoming the majority owner of the team after the 2020 season. The Padres have added all kinds of star talent since, and even though they didn't have a very good 2023, they still set a franchise record for attendance. RIP Peter Seidler, gone too soon.

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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.

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Free agency is here, and once again, the San Francisco Giants find themselves in a position where they're looking to make a big splash to not only improve their team, but also invigorate a justifiably frustrated fanbase. Coming off two straight disappointing seasons, Giants fans want more excitement, more star power, and more winning. With that in mind, who are the top five free agents the SF Giants should pursue? It all starts with Shohei Ohtani, who figures to sign a record contract and reports indicate he could even make a decision before the early December Winter Meetings in Nashville.

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

Who do you predict the Giants will acquire this offseason? I’ve got Hoskins and Gray.

What type of offensive players should the Giants be going for? Should we would look for more power, or rather someone who can hit for contact and get on base?

Mike Yastrzemski Enjoyer: What positions do the Giants NEED to upgrade this offseason to get back to the playoffs? To improve those positions, what players do you think the Giants should sign/trade for?

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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.

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The San Francisco Giants finally announced their new coaching staff under new manager Bob Melvin tonight. At least most of it, anyway. The big ticket additions: Ryan Christenson will be Melvin's bench coach, leaving former bench coach and interim manager Kai Correa's status in question. Matt Williams returns to the Giants and will be the third base coach, which pushes Mark Hallberg from third base to first base. This leaves Antoan Richardson's status in question. And finally, Pat "The Bat" Burrell joins the SF Giants' staff as co-hitting coach with Justin Viele.

Viele's retention comes as somewhat of a surprise after two straight lackluster offensive seasons from the Giants under his leadership, ever since Donnie Ecker departed for the Texas Rangers. Pedro Guererro also returns as an assistant hitting coach. On the pitching side, things are far less certain. Director of Pitching Brian Bannister has already departed for the White Sox. Pitching coach Andrew Bailey's status is uncertain. All we know is that J.P. Martinez will return as an assistant pitching coach.

What about important holdovers from Gabe Kapler's staff like Alyssa Nakken? Fortunately, Nakken will return for her fifth season as an Assistant Coach with the Giants. She been a popular figure in the dugout since her arrival, and she will forever be the first in-uniform female coach in MLB history. Taira Uematsu will also return as an Assistant Coach. Sadly, popular coach Craig Albernaz officially left the organization to join new Guardians manager Stephen Vogt's first-ever 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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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)

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Free agency officially begun, and San Francisco Giants fans have questions. Realistically, who will the Giants land this offseason? We know that they're very likely to be in on the biggest names in free agency. That includes Shohei Ohtani. It includes all of the top starting pitchers—the strength of this class—including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, and several others. Matt Chapman and Jung-Hoo Lee also stand out as realistic fits for the SF Giants.

Other questions asked and answered on today's Locked On Giants include:

How concerning is it for the Giants pitching that Brian Bannister has departed and it seems Andrew Bailey likely will as well (reports say he wants to go close to family on the east coast)? We saw the hitting struggle after Donnie Ecker left. Thoughts?

Who will be the Giants’ primary 3B in 2024? J.D. Davis could easily platoon at first base with LaMonte Wade Jr. (probably best for him given how he wore down in the second half last year) & Casey Schmitt could use some seasoning at AAA to improve plate discipline. If not Chapman, what FA/trade acquisition?

Can you give a percent chance of where you think Shohei Ohtani will end up between the Giants/Dodgers/other ?

Now that Jorge Soler is opting out with the Marlins, how much interest do you think the giants would have in pursuing him?

How will Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi getting an extension possibly change how aggressive the SF Giants be this offseason, with Zaidi now knowing he has three more seasons left?

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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)

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At last year's General Managers Meetings, Farhan Zaidi was a popular interviewee as the industry anticipated the San Francisco Giants' president of baseball operations to make a serious run at reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge in free agency. The Giants did in fact pursue Judge and other marquee players last winter, but once again came home empty handed.

Well, those meetings are back underway, and Zaidi did share some of the SF Giants' plans for the winter. Once again, like last offseason, Zaidi talked about the Giants' desire to get younger and more athletic. Last year, the Giants and Zaidi didn't really follow through on that promise, unless you count all of the minor league callups throughout the season. But free agent signings such as Michael Conforto and Mitch Haniger didn't really fall into that category and both had disappointing seasons.

One player who did not have a disappointing season was Giants rookie catcher Patrick Bailey. Bailey was so good defensively that he probably deserved to the the Gold Glove Award at the position, but he was snubbed despite being a finalist, which is an honor in and of itself. Bailey was the best framer in MLB and his pop times were exceptional.

The potential coaching staff under new SF Giants manager Bob Melvin is also discussed, with names like Matt Williams and Bryan Price being floated with regularity. Zaidi said the Giants' staff under Melvin should be finalized this week.

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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)

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The release of MLB Trade Rumors' annual Top 50 Free Agents with Predictions is always a very exciting time of year. It's usually our first look at concrete contract predictions for the top free agents—this year headlined by an unprecedented talent in Shohei Ohtani—and it's also fun to look at which players are "linked" (by virtue of the three MLBTR writers making predictions) to the San Francisco Giants.

The contract prediction for Ohtani is huge, but still likely a lot less than many people would expect. The reasoning is discussed on the show, and MLBTR seems to have done a pretty good job nailing down what Ohtani's value might be. Whether or not the Giants can and will go to that level to land arguably the game's best player remains to be seen.

Cody Bellinger, shockingly, is listed as the next-best free agent and is predicted to land a massive 12-year contract. That seems scary after the two miserable seasons he had in LA in 2021 and 2022. Here's the kicker: two of the three authors predicted the Giants would be the ones to give Bellinger the contract. Besides Bellinger, a number of the top free agents are linked to the SF Giants by the MLBTR authors, which makes sense given the Giants' recent efforts to land star talent and their clear need to do so.

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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)

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It was a big day in baseball as option and qualifying decisions were due, and it was the official start of full free agency. For the San Francisco Giants, on account of them giving out so many short-term deals with options in recent seasons, were among the most interesting teams to watch today. When all and said and done, the final tally was that Michael Conforto opted to return for one year and $18M, Sean Manaea opted out of 1/$12.5M, Ross Stripling opted to return for 1/$12.5M, and the Giants decided to bring back Alex Cobb for $10M in lieu of a $2M buyout.

The most borderline and potentially consequential decision was Conforto's. At $18M, it's a hefty price to pay given the very pedestrian season he just had. The SF Giants have also expressed interest in improving their outfield, which becomes all the more difficult with Conforto, Mitch Haniger, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Slater, Luis Matos, Tyler Fitzgerald, and others all in the mix going into 2023.

Manaea's decision to opt out may have surprised some, but it wasn't really all that surprising given his excellent performance after a rough first month-plus of the 2023 season. Stripling, on the other hand, never turned things around after a slow start and his choice to opt in was inevitable. The Giants' decision to retain Cobb on what was effectively an $8M decision was made a bit less clear when it was announced that Cobb underwent hip surgery that will sideline him for at least around six months. The Giants' overall commitments and payroll situation are now relatively clear, and those figures are discussed at length on today's show.

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

Jase Medical

Get $20 off these lifesaving antibiotics with Jase Medical by using code LOCKEDON at checkout on jasemedical.com.

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)

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Shohei Ohtani is perhaps the greatest free agent of all time, and the San Francisco Giants figure to be in the mix for his services. The Giants have been big-game hunting for years, consistently coming up empty. So are there other offseason permutations the SF Giants can muster that will be sufficient?

Other questions asked and answered on today's mailbag edition of Locked On Giants:

If the Giants somehow, someway sign Ohtani, how much money will they have left to spend on other pieces? They are not just one piece away from contending even if that piece is the best player in the world.

Would an offseason where the Giants walk away with Jordan Montgomery and Jung-hoo Lee/Matt chapman be a success? Or do they have to sign one of the top two free agents? Or trade for Juan Soto?

If the Giants walked away with Blake Snell and Matt Chapman would you consider it a success or failure of an offseason?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Cody Bellinger, and Sonny Gray seem like must-get targets. Do you agree?

How do Bellinger's advanced stats look? Is the risk worth the potential contract he’s gonna get?

Do you think Bob Melvin will keep Alyssa Nakken on staff, or will she have to continue her coaching career elsewhere?

I'm hearing rumors of ex-Giants joining BoMel's coaching staff such as Pat Burrel, Ryan Vogelsong, and now recently J.T. Snow. Besides Pat, who I know to be part of our scouting department, I don't think there's much coaching experience there. Is it just a ploy to win fans back over?

A bit tactical, but when do you expect to get more formal announcements on Melvin’s staff? Lots of intriguing names being floated.

Thoughts on whether the Giants retain Mark Hallberg?

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 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

Another critical offseason for the San Francisco Giants has officially begun. The Texas Rangers are World Series champions, and now the Giants will get to work to turn their fortunes around. The SF Giants have made the playoffs only once in the last seven seasons, which is an unacceptable fate for a team of this market size and stature in the game. The Giants must significantly improve their roster this offseason, and they appear poised to at the very least make their best effort to do so.

Free agency officially opened today, but free agents can only sign with the team they finished the year with for the first five days of free agency. This is unlikely to affect the Giants in a meaningful way, as free agents like Joc Pederson and Brandon Crawford are unlikely to return in 2024. Five days from now, not only can free agents sign with any team, but option decisions are due and qualifying offer decisions must be made by teams. We will know on Monday whether Michael Conforto ($18M), Sean Manaea ($12.5M), and Ross Stripling decide whether to opt in or opt out. The SF Giants must decide whether to exercise their $10M option on Alex Cobb or whether to set his loose and pay a $2M buyout. Cobb's recent surgery and lengthy recovery timeline complicate the decision.

The non-tender deadline is also a critical date coming up in the next couple of weeks, and the Giants have six arb-eligible players. Most are easy decisions, but there are a couple of potentially borderline ones to look out for. And finally, in about a month in Nashville, Tennessee, the Winter Meetings will take place. This is when a flurry of activity usually takes place, with some of the top free agents signing contracts around this time. Like they were last year, the Giants figure to be heavily involved in the biggest names. This free agent class is headlined by arguably the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani.

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

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