Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at the 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released Monday on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Examined today are the projections for starting pitchers Kevin Gausman, Logan Webb, Anthony DeSclafani, and Sean Hjelle. Starting pitching currently projects to be a weakness for the Giants in 2021, but might the projections for these pitchers change that narrative?

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants signing right-handed starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to a one-year, $6M deal with $250,000 available in performance bonuses. DeSclafani has spent most of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was inconsistent but very good at times. His 2020 season was a disaster, but he still had really good stuff despite the poor results. In 2019, DeSclafani was solidly above average over 160+ innings. His electric stuff suggests he should be able to improve upon his career results, and he should be helped by moving from an extremely tough pitching environment in Cincinnati to one of the friendliest in the game in San Francisco. In a meeting with the press following the DeSclafani signing, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi talked about what's next this offseason for the Giants.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at some 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released Monday on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Examined today are the projections for Alex Dickerson, Jason Vosler, Joey Bart, and Darin Ruf. Ben talked at length last year about how projections systems were overly pessimistic about the Giants, and that they were likely to outperform them because of their commitment to platoons and innovative new hitting coaches. And indeed, the Giants massively outperformed their pessimistic 2020 projections almost to a man. Now, the 2021 ZiPS projections are out, and Ben examines whether or not the computer is buying into what the Giants were able to do in the small sample of 2020. As we'll see, the projections are buying into the improvements to an extent, but they're not all-in just yet.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at some 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released yesterday on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Examined today are the projections for Mauricio Dubón, Brandon Crawford, Evan Longoria, and Donovan Solano. Ben talked at length last year about how projections systems were overly pessimistic about the Giants, and that they were likely to outperform them because of their commitment to platoons and innovative new hitting coaches. And indeed, the Giants massively overperformed their pessimistic 2020 projections almost to a man. Now, the 2021 ZiPS projections are out, and Ben examines whether or not the computer is buying into what the Giants were able to do in the small sample of 2020. As we'll see, the projections are buying into the improvements to an extent, but they're not necessarily all-in just yet.

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Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at the 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released today on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Ben talked at length last year about how projections systems were probably being overly pessimistic about the Giants, because of the team's commitment to platoons and the impact the new hitting coaches could make. Indeed, the Giants massively overperformed pessimistic 2020 projections almost across the board. Now, the 2021 ZiPS projections are out, and Ben examines whether or not the computer is buying into what the Giants were able to do in a small sample in 2020. As we'll see, the projections are slowly buying into the improvements, but they're not all-in just yet.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick answers questions from listeners about the San Francisco Giants. Among the questions asked and answered are: What are the chances the Giants sign a “big-time” free agent this offseason? Do you think the front office will target a high risk, high reward starting pitcher? Or more of a solid but more expensive starter? Thoughts on adding Yasiel Puig? Will new Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombroski attempt to move Bryce Harper? Could the Giants be a landing spot? With the pandemic still going on, is it a lock Buster Posey is even back this coming season? Will the Giants ever hit on a Rule 5 pick?

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants taking right-handed pitcher Dedniel Núñez from the New York Mets in the Major League portion of Thursday morning's Rule 5 Draft. Núñez has a fastball with characteristics that the Giants like, particularly after he displayed a jump in velocity in the Fall Instructional League. Núñez will be added to the Giants' 40-man roster and must be on the major league roster all season or else they must offer him back to the Mets. No Giants prospects were selected in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 Draft.

Ben also talks about the results of the All-MLB Team voting. Mike Yastrzemski was named a finalist in the outfield, along with nine peers. Three were to be selected as First Team All-MLB outfielders, and three more were to be selected as Second Team All-MLB outfielders. Did Yastrzemski make either cut? Was he a snub? Tune in for details and reaction.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants' announcement that they have extended invitations to four teams to be affiliates under a new agreement with Major League Baseball. Triple-A Sacramento and Double-A Richmond are set to remain affiliates, but the Giants plan to ditch their affiliation with Augusta Green Jackets in favor of a High-A affiliation with the Eugene Emeralds. San Jose would move from High-A to Low-A under the new agreement.

The Giants also announced that they signed catcher Chadwick Tromp to a major league deal, and they signed several others to minor league pacts. Tromp was non-tendered by the Giants last Wednesday. Ben also talks about tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft, and about how Mike Yastrzemski is a finalist for the All-MLB Team, which will be revealed today.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants inking veteran right-handed reliever Matt Wisler to a one-year, $1.15M deal. Wisler is coming off a breakout season of sorts with the Twins, although he was non-tendered last Wednesday. Wisler rode a wipeout slider to a career-best strikeout rate and pristine ERA, but the Twins evidently didn't believe in the sustainability of Wisler's success and non-tendered him ahead of Wednesday's tender deadline. The Giants hope that the Twins' loss is their gain, as Wisler joins a bullpen that is short on experience, and figures to be one of Gabe Kapler's top right-handed options out of the 'pen. As the Winter Meetings roll on, the Giants are still seeking numerous starting pitchers, a versatile left-handed bat, and possibly more right-handed relief help as well, despite the addition of Wisler today.

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On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the virtual 2020 Winter Meetings, which get started today and last all week. The San Francisco Giants enter the Winter Meetings with several items on their wish list, some of which they may seek to address this week. It was at last year's Winter Meetings that the Giants signed Kevin Gausman to a one-year, $9M deal, and they also made the Will Wilson trade. This year, what the the Giants' biggest needs? As Ben describes, it's clearly starting pitching, first and foremost. They also need a versatile left-handed hitter capable of playing third and second, someone who can platoon with Evan Longoria, whose struggles against righties are longstanding enough that it's time to limit his exposure against them. Right-handed veteran relief pitching is also a need, after Trevor Gott and Sam Coonrod failed to take on high leverage roles in 2020, a development that may have cost them a spot in the postseason.

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