The San Francisco Giants made bold moves this offseason to energize their fan base and improve the team.
They replaced Farhan Zaidi as president of baseball operations with franchise legend Buster Posey, a decision that immediately won over fans. Posey wasted no time, signing shortstop Willy Adames to the largest contract in team history. He then added veteran pitcher Justin Verlander on a one-year deal. Verlander, coming off a rough 2024 season due to injuries, appears rejuvenated and ready to contribute.
Earlier this week, the Giants announced the sale of a 10% stake in the franchise to a private equity firm, signaling a significant cash infusion. Forbes values the Giants at $3.8 billion, suggesting the deal brought in a hefty sum. Naturally, many assumed this money would go toward improving the roster.
However, Giants CEO Larry Baer quickly downplayed that idea.
“This is not about a stockpile for the next Aaron Judge,” Baer told media outlets, including The New York Times. “This is about improvements to the ballpark, making big bets on San Francisco and the community around us, and having the firepower to take us into the next generation.”
His comments didn’t sit well with some fans and analysts. Dave Tobener of SFGate.com called Baer’s statement “enraging,”reflecting the frustration of a fan base tired of mediocrity. Despite the Giants’ efforts this offseason, Baer’s remarks felt disconnected from what many supporters wanted to hear.
Under Zaidi, the Giants focused heavily on player development, analytics, and platoon-based strategies. This approach led to a 109-win season in 2021, but the team failed to win a playoff series. Since then, San Francisco has repeatedly fallen short in free agency, most notably missing out on Aaron Judge, a California native. They initially offered the highest bid, only to watch the Yankees outbid them.
The signing of Adames marked a turning point, signaling a commitment to securing top-tier talent. That’s why Baer’s emphasis on ballpark upgrades instead of roster improvements felt like a letdown.
This doesn’t mean the Giants won’t use some of the new funds on players or make moves at the trade deadline. But in a division dominated by the deep-pocketed Dodgers, financial firepower is crucial. To stay competitive, Baer, Posey, and the organization must ensure that at least some of that investment strengthens the roster.
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