Three questions facing the San Francisco Giants this offseason

Mediocrity, thy name is the San Francisco Giants.

The Giants have been within four games of a .500 record in five out of six years since 2020, the lone exception being their improbable 107-win season in 2021. Two of those years, 2022 and 2025, ended with the Giants finishing the year with an 81-81 record.

President of baseball operations Buster Posey is not content with being mediocre. He has aimed high in rebuilding the roster, signing shortstop Willy Adames, trading for for designated hitter Rafael Devers and was a crucial part in extending third baseman Matt Chapman. Posey is not only looking to build a sustainable contender, but to get back to the glory days from 2010 through 2014 when the Giants won three World Series titles. Considering the Giants are in the same division as the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Padres, he has his work cut out for him.

The Giants are looking to break out of their cycle of mediocrity. Let's look at three questions facing the organization ahead of the offseason.

Three questions facing the San Francisco Giants during the offseason

1. Are the Giants making the right move at manager?

The Giants' moves have been made with an eye toward contending in the present and future. However, the same cannot be said at manager. The Giants surprisingly fired manager Bob Melvin after just two seasons, and months after picking up his team option for 2026. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Posey is looking for a younger option on the bench. That could lead to an unexpected hiring as the Giants are reportedly closing in on a deal with University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello.

Vitello would be a huge gamble for Posey, one that could make or break his tenure. The 47-year-old never played or coached professional ball at any level and would be the first manager hired directly from the collegiate side. While Vitello has found success throughout his career, there is no guarantee that will continue in San Francisco. As the Giants are looking to contend now, Vitello would not have the luxury of easing into the manager role.

2. Is this the year the left field carousel ends?

Another Opening Day, another starting left fielder in San Francisco. The Giants have not started the same left fielder on Opening Day in consecutive years since Barry Bonds in 2007. Heliot Ramos earned the honor in 2025, the 18th different Opening Day left fielder since Bonds' final year.

While Ramos was unable to replicate his All-Star performance from 2024, he was a solid part of the Giants' lineup. He posted a .256/.328/.400 batting line with 21 homers and 24 doubles over 695 plate appearances. The problem is that Ramos was mediocre defensively, costing the Giants four runs in left. Ideally, he would slot in as the Giants designated hitter, but with Devers and first base prospect Bryce Eldridge on the cusp of sticking in the majors, Ramos may be forced into the outfield once again. 

3. Do the Giants have another major splash coming?

Posey has been active as he looks to upgrade the Giants roster. Adames and Devers, coupled with the emergence of Casey Schmitt, should mean that the infield is set for the foreseeable future. The same cannot be said of the outfield, where Jung Hoo Lee is the only guaranteed starter, or the pitching staff.

Several options in free agency could make an immediate impact. Outfielders Kyle Tucker and Kyle Schwarber would add another impact bat to the lineup. The likes of Dylan Cease or Framber Valdez would slot nicely behind Robbie Ray and Logan Webb. However, they are likely to be expensive in free agency. The Giants have spent to improve the roster, but how much more money will ownership be willing to shell out? The Giants will need to spend to compete with the Dodgers, but there may not be much room in the budget.