Three questions facing the San Francisco Giants this offseason

After hovering around the .500 mark for the previous four years, the 2026 season was supposed to be a step toward a return to the postseason for the San Francisco Giants.

Instead, the 2026 season was a disaster. The Giants' 65-97 record was the fourth-worst in franchise history and illustrates the work that general manager Zack Minasian and president of baseball operations Buster Posey have to do.

Posey has said that he wants to rebuild the roster in the image of their early-2010s heyday. Doing so may be easier said than done. 

Three questions for the San Francisco Giants

1. How long of a leash does manager Tony Vitello have?

Vitello was a controversial choice to take over as the Giants new manager. Posey plucked him from the collegiate ranks where he had a great deal of success, and helped develop the likes of Ian Kinsler and Max Scherzer, but had never been involved in the professional game. 

Vitello is returning for the 2027 season as Posey gave him a vote of confidence. However, Posey also said that he expects the Giants to compete for the playoffs next year. If they stumble out of the gate and fade from the playoff picture over the first few months, Vitello may not last for long.

2. Will the Giants be able to offload any expensive contracts?

The Giants have made several fairly significant moves in an attempt to build a contending roster. Third baseman Matt Chapman signed a one-year deal and returned on a six-year extension. Shortstop Willy Adames and outfielder Jung Hoo Lee signed hefty contracts as free agents. The Giants also took on designated hitter Rafael Devers' full contract in a trade with the Red Sox.

Those moves have not worked out, with the Giants reportedly looking to unload those contracts as a do-over. Devers shook off a slow start to have a typically strong season, but Adames, Chapman and Lee have not lived up to those deals thus far. The Giants may need to attach one of their top prospects to move any of those contracts; otherwise, they will continue to be hamstrung financially.

3. Can the Giants find a viable major league pitching staff?

The Giants have a top-of-the-rotation starter in Logan Webb despite a down year in 2026. However, the rest of the rotation is a major question mark. Potential options Carson Whisenhunt and Trevor McDonald will miss the 2027 season after Tommy John surgery. Adrian Houser and Landen Roupp may be solid back-of-the-rotation options, but the Giants need another frontline starter to pair with Webb.

The bullpen also needs significant attention, particularly in the ninth inning as 12 different pitchers recorded a save for the Giants. Former closer Camilo Doval returned to San Francisco after being let go by the Pirates and former All-Star setup man Randy Rodriguez will return from Tommy John surgery. While that duo should be a marked improvement from 2026, the Giants still need to add at least two more high-leverage arms. The Giants will have a lengthy shopping list, although they may not have the budget needed to fill those holes.