While it’s only been three years since the San Francisco Giants last had a winning record (107-55), they lost the National League Divisional Series against their intra-state rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. That defeat extended their playoff series victory drought to nine seasons. They last won a postseason series in 2014, winning their third World Series title in five years.
Therefore, the Giants initiated a roster revamp, which culminated in the signing of 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to a two-year, $62 million deal. Joining the Bay Area-based Major League Baseball squad means that Snell and Logan Webb, last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up, will be in the same pitching rotation.
But Snell isn’t the only player they welcomed this offseason. Instead, the Giants had an impressive haul that can help them become competitive in the 2024 MLB season.
Before Blake Snell, the Giants signed four-time Gold Glove Award winner Matt Chapman to a one-year, $18 million deal with player options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He and the Giants will have a mutual option for 2027.
They also signed the 2022 Korean Baseball Organization Most Valuable Player Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million contract. The Giants also signed 2021 World Series MVP Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42 million contract.
Meanwhile, pitchers Jordan Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million deal after playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants added another pitcher, Robbie Ray, via a trade with the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Anthony DeSclafani and Mitch Haniger. Finally, they signed catcher Tom Murphy to a two-year deal in December 2023.
The Giants are banking on these additions to help them improve from their 79-83 record in 2023.
-Lance Fernandez