New start after 2 key departures
Five issues facing the Giants:
New management:
The Giants hired 44-year-old Gabe Kapler as their manager a month after he was fired by the Philadelphia Phillies, much to the consternation of many Bay Area fans. Kapler, who got a three-year contract, replaced beloved Bruce Bochy, who retired after 13 seasons and three World Series championships in San Francisco. The move reunites Kapler with Farhan Zaidi, the Giants’ president of baseball operations.
The two worked together with the Los Angeles Dodgers, for whom Kapler served as director of player development and Zaidi was the general manager. Kapler was 161163 in two seasons in Philadelphia, where he was criticized for player discipline, ingame tactics and bullpen management.
No more MadBum:
After 11 seasons, 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner’s time in San Francisco came to an end when the left-handed ace agreed to a fiveyear, $85 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec. 15. The Giants had offered a four-year deal just above $70 million, NBC Sports Bay Area reported.
MadBum’s departure leaves Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija at the top of the rotation. Kevin Gausman, who signed a one-year, $9 million contract, is projected to slot behind the two veterans. After that, questions abound with a host of youngsters.
Outfield options:
Acquiring center fielder Kevin Pillar a week into the 2019 season turned out to be a terrific move as he batted .259 with 21 HRs and 88 RBI. But the Giants made the unpopular decision to non-tender Pillar after the season.
That might allow the Giants to move Mike Yastrzemski from right to center field, which in turn could allow them to add an impact bat at a corner outfield spot. Various reports have linked the Giants with free agent Nicholas Castellanos, who hit .289 with 27 HRs and 73 RBI. The Giants brought back left fielder Alex Dickerson, but he has a history of injuries. Center fielder Steven Duggar is expected to be ready for spring training after a left shoulder injury.
Around the horn:
If he doesn’t find himself in the outfield mix, Mauricio Dubon, acquired at the July 31 trade deadline, will be at second base.
The Giants also acquired veteran infielder Zack Cozart, a 2017 All-Star, and 2019 first-round draft pick Will Wilson from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for left-hander Garrett Williams. The 34year-old Cozart was limited by left shoulder surgery. Wilson, a 21-year-old shortstop, was the 15th overall pick out of North Carolina State. FanGraphs ranks Wilson as the Giants’ seventh-best prospect.
The Giants could be two seasons away from contending. The Athletic points out that in the 2021-2022 offseason, Buster Posey and Johnny Cueto have team options likely to be declined. Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford are free agents. 77-85
Third place, NL West; missed playoffs
Cozier confines:
The Giants announced new dimensions for Oracle Park’s outfield for 2020.
The bullpens, which had been in foul territory since the stadium opened in 2000, will be in center field. Left-center field will move from 404 feet to 399 feet, center field will move from 399 feet to 391 feet, and “Triples
Alley” in right-center from 421 feet to 415 feet.
The new center-field wall will be 7 feet high instead of 8. The Giants went 35-46 while averaging only 3.35 runs per game at Oracle Park in 2019, compared to 5.02 runs per game on the road. San Francisco ranked last in the National League with 63 home runs and 271 runs scored at home.
field will move