Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

Bruce Bochy is a World Series champion again. Bochy left the San Francisco Giants following the 2019 season, and came out of retirement a few years later and won his fourth ring in his first season with the Texas Rangers.

What lessons can the Giants take away from Bochy and this Rangers team? There are multiple potential lessons, but not all have to do with the manager. In fact, most perhaps do not. But Bochy's legacy is undeniable and incredible.

Finally, some details on the rift between new SF Giants manager Bob Melvin and Padres GM A.J. Preller come to light and are discussed. Billy Beane, who's worked closely with both Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and Melvin, thinks the two are perfect for each other in San Francisco.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)

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The goal should be to win. San Francisco Giants fans have endured two straight disappointing seasons and a lack of making the postseason in six out of the last seven years. SF Giants chairman Greg Johnson should be saying things like "the goal is to win at all costs," but instead he keeps saying "the goal is to break even." It's not what Giants fans want to hear, but upon closer examination, Johnson's comments shouldn't be too offensive to Giants fans.

Johnson is speaking from a merely financial perspective. And it's rare to find an ownership goal who's honest enough to say such a thing publicly as Johnson continues to do. Furthermore, having a goal of breaking even is much better than a lot of teams' goal of profiting off the team every year. Johnson's comments were also more nuanced in their entirety, as he said the Giants would be willing to exceed the luxury tax for the right player under the right circumstances; they just wouldn't want to be repeat "offenders," when the penalties get stiffer and stiffer.

Among the other topics addressed on today's Locked On Giants podcast: If the Giants were to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung-hoo Lee, would that take them out of the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes? Additionally, the news about Alex Cobb undergoing surgery tomorrow to address a hip issue is discussed. The Giants announced that Cobb would return to pitching in six months—a lengthy recovery time that puts a tinge of doubt on the Giants' upcoming $8M team option decision.

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)

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The first phase of the San Francisco Giants' offseason is complete, as the team officially introduced new manager Bob Melvin, who seems like the right person at the right time. The coaching staff is an important next step, but more important will be the Giants' player acquisitions over the winter. Farhan Zaidi recently indicated that the SF Giants would be seeking a "pure" center fielder.

Who could that player be? Young Korean star Jung-Hoo Lee? What about the resurgent Cody Bellinger? Either player would fit the Giants like a glove, but acquiring an outfielder would create a logjam in the outfield with the Giants already committed to Mitch Haniger, Michael Conforto could opt in, Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater are arbitration eligible, and prospects like Luis Matos have shown promise.

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

Would you do the proposed Mike Trout trade that Bleacher Report was proposing between the Giants and Angels? I say no on giving up Kyle Harrison in any trade unless it’s for Luis Robert or a player at that level/age range.

 I’ve read that Matt Chapman might be a fit. What do you think about him as a player? He’s got a connection with Melvin, and plays an excellent defensive 3B. But he’s very streaky and strikes out a lot. I’d pass given the years and cost. Thoughts?

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 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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Bob Melvin is officially the San Francisco Giants' manager. Melvin got out of the last year of his contract with the Padres, and agreed to a new three-year deal as manager of the Giants. Bob Melvin seems to be the right person at the right time for this Giants organization that's in need of stability and credibility after four polarizing years under former manager Gabe Kapler. Melvin brings instant credibility and strong local ties to the role and is widely regarded as one of the best managers in the game today.

Of note, Melvin was signed by the SF Giants through 2026, so officially that's a two-year extension on top of the one year he had left with San Diego. Even more noteworthy is the fact that Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi was also said to have been extended through 2026. Zaidi would have otherwise been entering the last year of his contract, a dark cloud that would have hung over the 2024 season. Organizational stability is underrated, and despite his faults, Zaidi has arguably been a net asset to the Giants since arriving in the 2018 offseason.

Where do the Giants go from here? The next step is to finalize the coaching staff, which Zaidi said should be done in the next 7-10 days. It's unclear which coaches from Kapler's staff will remain, and it's unclear which new coaches will be brought in. Then, the hard work starts. The Giants have work to do to make their on-field product better and more entertaining. But hiring Bob Melvin and extending him through 2026, along with Farhan Zaidi, feels like the absolute right first step for this Giants team this offseason.

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 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 Gabe Kapler Era is officially over, and the Bob Melvin Era has officially begun. The San Francisco Giants are making major waves in the baseball world today as they are reportedly poised to announce Bob Melvin as the Giants' next manager tomorrow. Melvin is one of the most respected and longest tenured managers in baseball, and he brings many qualities to the role that Kapler simply didn't possess. Qualities that proved to be too much for Kapler to overcome and that cost him his job.

Melvin brings instant credibility to the SF Giants, something that was perhaps lacking under Kapler. He commands respect from players, but not in an authoritarian way. He is similar to Bruce Bochy in a lot of ways, except Melvin has more experience working with a more analytically-inclined front office, as he was once of the most successful managers in Oakland A's history when he was there for more than a decade.

From the Padres' perspective, this move is hard to make sense of and leaves a lot of fans angry. General Manager A.J. Preller continues to cycle through managers seemingly every other year, and reports of severe distrust between Melvin and Preller seems to say more about Preller than it does about Melvin who, again, is universally respected in the game. The Padres' loss appears to be the San Francisco Giants' gain as Bob Melvin is set to be the SF Giants' next manager, with an announcement expected tomorrow according to a report by The Athletic.

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 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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After the San Francisco Giants fired manager Gabe Kapler with three games left in the 2023 season, Padres manager Bob Melvin's name immediately came to many peoples' minds as a potential replacement. There was skepticism by some; after all, Melvin had just led the Padres to one of the most disappointing and underachieving seasons in MLB history. Why should he manage the SF Giants?

Turns out there are more reasons than can even be counted. Melvin is a Bay Area native and has had a long, successful managerial career, including over a decade across the Bay. He would bring instant credibility where it matters most: among players and fans alike. He has reportedly developed great relationships with Asian-born players like Ichiro Suzuki, Yu Darvish, and Ha-Seong Kim, with the latter two being major potential influences on the ultimate destination of prized players Yoshinobu Yamamoto (out of Japan) and Jung-hoo Lee (out of Korea), who will be posted this offseason.

The one potential concern has to do with the coaching staff. For all of Kapler's faults, he did bring in some of the best in the business, most of whom were relative unknowns at the time. Donnie Ecker has since departed for the Texas Rangers (and is himself a potential frontrunner for the Giants' managerial opening), but he is thought to be a hitting genius. Brian Bannister and Andrew Bailey have been very successful in helping the Giants get the most out of pitchers during their tenures. It remains to be seen, however, what type of coaching staff Melvin would seek to put together.

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 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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San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi is in the midst of an intense and important search for a new manager. But in the last few days, he reportedly too a break from the search. He traveled east. Far east. But Zaidi's travels weren't for vacation. He was in attendance to watch Japanese ace superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly. According to Baggarly, "there’s a sense within the industry that the Giants won’t allow another team to outbid them for [Yamamoto's] services."

In other significant news, Baggarly reports that the SF Giants are interested in hiring Bob Melvin as their next manager. Melvin is under contract for another year with the San Diego Padres, but the Friars could be amenable to letting Melvin go, particularly because his relationship with Padres GM A.J. Preller is apparently broken beyond repair. Melvin would bring a strong veteran presence to the Giants, and he'd instantly command the respect of players and fans alike.

Another thing Melvin has going for him: he's apparently known for his close ties to Asian-born players such as Ichiro Suzuki, and more recently Yu Darvish and Ha-Seong Kim. Darvish, who's from Japan, could influence Yamamoto's decision on where to sign. Kim, who's from Korea, could influence Jung-Hoo Lee, another player the Giants are reported to have serious interest in signing this offseason.

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

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

Jase Medical

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

Sleeper

Download the Sleeper app and use promo code LOCKEDON and you'll get up to a $100 match on your first deposit. Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper’s Terms of Use for details. Currently operational in over 30 states. Check out Sleeper today!

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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When all was said and done, the San Francisco Giants' season was a major disappointment. Things went so poorly in the end that Giants manager Gabe Kapler was fired. But for much of the season, the SF Giants were actually among the best stories in the sport, and often had one of the best records in the NL. The top moments from 2023 are relived on today's Locked On Giants.

Kyle Harrison put on a show in his Giants home debut, striking out 11 Reds and showing his ace potential. Another rookie, Patrick Bailey, was often a human highlight reel, particularly on defense, but also his home run that prompted the famous "somebody named Patrick Bailey" quote.

Logan Webb and Alex Cobb each had spectacular pitching performances that rank among the season's best moments, including Cobb coming one out shy of a no-hitter, and Webb throwing two complete games on his way to leading the majors in innings pitched.

The rest of the best include highlights from the Giants' 10-game winning streak, from a circus play in LA, to a 15-0 route, to a couple of dramatic Mike Yastrzemski homers that were all part of the win streak. Blake Sabol also provided one of the season's best moments for the SF Giants when he hit a walk-off home run in April with the Giants down to their final strike.

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

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

Jase Medical

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

Sleeper

Download the Sleeper app and use promo code LOCKEDON and you'll get up to a $100 match on your first deposit. Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper’s Terms of Use for details. Currently operational in over 30 states. Check out Sleeper today!

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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Everybody and their pet knows that the San Francisco Giants are in desperate need of star power. Giants fans are tired of a team that doesn't have enough big-name players, and the team's performance on the field also reflects the SF Giants' lack of impact talent. Looking ahead to this offseason, what are some ways the Giants can finally acquire a star (or two or three)?

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

What do you think is the ideal balance of "let the rookies play" vs. bringing in veteran players for the 2024 Giants? Like, which rookies should the San Francisco Giants give lots of playing time to, and which positions should they seek veterans for?

With the Giants reportedly in the mix for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jung-Hoo Lee, do we see the Giants as making a push toward a younger team rather than going for bigger veteran free agents?

What is your personal take on if the Giants choose to go very proactive/aggressive in their player acquisition strategy? I.e. trading their young players, for instance, Luis Matos and Kyle Harrison for Luis Robert and Dylan Cease?

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

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

Jase Medical

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

Sleeper

Download the Sleeper app and use promo code LOCKEDON and you'll get up to a $100 match on your first deposit. Terms and conditions apply. See Sleeper’s Terms of Use for details. Currently operational in over 30 states. Check out Sleeper today!

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's hard to be a San Francisco Giants fan this postseason. On the American League side, former Giants manager Bruce Bochy has his Texas Rangers up 2-0 in the ALCS while the SF Giants sit at home after recently firing manager Gabe Kapler. On the National League side, Bryce Harper, whom the Giants tried to sign in 2018-19, is carrying the Phillies much like he did last October. How much of the Rangers' success is attributable to Bochy is up for debate, but there's no doubt it's a bad look for the SF Giants, from ownership to Farhan Zaidi and the front office.

Harper's influence is more clear and obvious, unlike the role of an MLB manager. Harper is simply a superstar player who impacts the game on the field. But beyond that, he seems to have elevated the whole organization, made other star players want to play for his team, and he has elevated his teammates. The San Francisco Giants must surely regret not offering more to Harper, although their final offer did come close.

The Giants need their own identity. It's not healthy or helpful to look back on the past and feel full of regret. Bochy's not coming back to the SF Giants. Harper's going to be with the Phillies for life. So how do the Giants press forward? First, Zaidi and the Giants must nail the managerial hire. Next, they must have a much better offseason than last year—much, much better. The Giants need their own players to build around, and a manager who hones in the analytics at an extent while being much more capable than Kapler was at garnering support from fans and players alike.

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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