Splash Considerations

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants won their first series of the Tony Vitello, taking two of three from the Padres in San Diego, and John Shea and Kerry Crowley of the San Francisco Standard join the show to talk ball. What can be made of Matt Chapman's confrontation with Casey Schmitt? How significant was Vitello's decision to let Logan Webb keep pitching on Tuesday? Is Willy Adames at leadoff the best lineup possible? Plus, long-time Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf joins for the first MLB Corner (which, coincidentally, is about the Pirates).

Additional reading
SF Giants’ Tidwell records rare three-inning save on milestone-filled night

Susac records three hits in first career start as SF Giants’ overpower Mets

‘We’re all brothers here’: SF Giants’ Chapman, Schmitt clear air on tense moment

How Jared Oliva fought his way onto SF Giants’ roster after four years in minors

How Webb’s San Diego Navy SEALs experience fueled gutsy outing for SF Giants

‘I’ll be plotting my revenge’: SF Giants’ Vitello gets beer shower treatment in first win as rookie manager

The Tony Vitello era in San Francisco begins with the Giants being swept by Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees. Justice is joined by Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle to discuss the Giants' offensive woes, Vitello's interesting postgame comments on Friday and the decisions that the rookie manager made (or didn't make) in his first three games in the majors. Plus, Justice is joined by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic to discuss his overall impressions of Vitello, as well as how the Giants approached their offseason after signing Willy Adames and trading for Rafael Devers.

Additional Reading:

What stood out in Tony Vitello’s first series as SF Giants’ manager?

SF Giants swept by Yankees to open Vitello era as offense remains silent

SF Giants flat again in Opening Day loss, shut out in second straight game to open season

SF Giants blown out by Yankees in Vitello’s managerial debut

Buster Posey explains why SF Giants DFA’d Luis Matos, other roster choices

Heliot Ramos set to break SF Giants’ most infamous streak on Opening Day

Time Stamps: 

0:12: Introduction

5:08: Conversation with Shayna Rubin

8:10: Luis Matos DFA'd

11:35: The absurdity of Opening Night

15:50: How the Giants were swept by the Yankees

18:30: San Francisco's offensive woes

22:00: Vitello shouldering the blame on Friday

31:35: Vitello's bench usage

35:55: How the roster impacts Vitello's managing

41:57: Conversation with Ken Rosenthal

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Before this year's Spring Breakout game, Justice chatted with the San Francisco Giants' senior director of player development Kyle Haines to discuss several of the organization's top prospects, including newly-signed shortstop Luis Hernandez.

Josuar Gonzalez's status: 2:00

Luis Hernandez: 5:57

What's the plan with Hernandez and Gonzalez: 11:29

Jhonny Level: 14:57

Trevor Cohen: 17:00

Keyner Martinez: 22:02

Who's worth watching that's not getting buzz: 24:12

Justice is joined by Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle to discuss the Giants' decision to option first baseman Bryce Eldridge, the top prospect in the organization, to Triple-A Sacramento to begin the year.

Watch on YouTube

Full story on Eldridge

Full story on Hayden Birdsong set undergoing Tommy John surgery

Full story on Barry Bonds joining the Netflix broadcast

On the first episode of Splash Considerations, Justice is joined by MLB.com's Maria I. Guardado to discuss right-hander Hayden Birdsong, who will meet Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion after undergoing an MRI that revealed a Grade 2 forearm strain/UCL sprain. Plus, how is the Giants' "fluid" bullpen situation shaping up, and who will cover the game's later innings?

Follow Justice on Twitter/X: @justdelossantos 

Follow Maria on BlueSky: @miguardado.bsky.social

Timestamps

0:50: The origins of Splash Considerations

2:45: Team USA's controversial win over Team República Dominicana

12:35: Justice and Maria's favorite baseball movies

15:30: Hayden Birdsong's injury and bullpen outlook

32:41: Where Bryce Eldridge starts the season

Additional reading

Hayden Birdsong seeking second opinion: https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/03/15/sf-giants-birdsong-to-receive-second-opinion-on-injury-diagnosis/

Opening Day roster projection 2.0: https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/03/15/sf-giants-roster-projection-2026-opening-day/

Erik Miller emerging as leverage option: https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/03/13/with-uncertainty-in-bullpen-sf-giants-miller-stands-to-emerge-as-leverage-option/

Ryan Walker sets sights on closer role: https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/02/24/ryan-walker-sf-giants-closer-opening-day-roster/

Justice (@justdelossantos) and Rory (@ROToole4) break down the Miami Heat's stunning 115-104 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. They also summarize MLB's Wild Card Series and look ahead to the upcoming Divisional Series. 

Justice (@justdelossantos) breaks down the Los Angeles Lakers' 124-114 Game 2 victory over the Miami Heat. 

Justice (@justdelossantos), Ankit (@apathaksports) and Sandeep (@sandeepchandok) discuss the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 1 victory over the Miami Heat. 

Justice (@justdelossantos) and Rory (@ROToole4) discuss the promising future of the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, the upcoming Finals matchup between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers' surprising firing of Doc Rivers and how the MLB playoffs will unfold.