2022 record: 81-81; third in NL West
Offseason headlines: Poised to make a pair of high-profile additions, the Giants ended up going to spring training without Aaron Judge or Carlos Correa. After not landing either top right-handed hitter, the club made far less splashy moves but solid additions in outfielders Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto, left-handed starter Sean Manaea, right-handed starter Ross Stripling and lefty reliever Taylor Rogers. DH Joc Pederson is back on a $19.65 million qualifying offer.
Spring storylines: With Carlos Rodon gone after one season, when he was among the best pitchers in baseball, finding a horse at the top of the rotation has been the priority. RHP Logan Webb was named Opening Day starter. Joey Bart has yet to meet lofty expectations and is running out of time to lock down the catching mantle left behind when Buster Posey retired. Haniger fell behind this spring while working through an oblique strain.
Young guns: 3B Casey Schmitt was productive this spring and could be ready to make the leap from Triple-A Sacramento at some point this season. He could even end up providing depth at shortstop. At 6-foot-11, right-hander Sean Hjelle has always been a sight to behold and now he is getting noticed for an uptick in velocity to the mid-90s that could land the 25-year-old in the major league rotation at some point this season.
Fall feeling: Probably closer to last season’s 81-81 team than the 2021 team that went 107-55, the Giants will need a lot to go right in order to cut through a competitive NL West. The Giants have played just one playoff series in the past six seasons and only SS Brandon Crawford remains from the team’s run of three World Series in five seasons (2010, 2012, 2014).
Odds, even: The Giants are in the bottom half of World Series title hopefuls at +6000 with DraftKings, just ahead of the Marlins (+7500). The club is the third favorite in the NL West at +1200 with BetMGM and +1000 with Caesars.
–Field Level Media
