Of all the Giants’ off-season developments, the selection of Buster Posey as the new President of Baseball Operations was clearly the most significant. The legendary Giants catcher replaces Farhan Zaidi, who had held the position for the previous six seasons.
Perhaps it should have been expected that Posey would be named to a top front office role since he moved back to the Bay Area from his native Georgia and became part of the Giants’ ownership group in 2022. Even before he was named PBO, he played a key role in inking standout third baseman Matt Chapman to a long-term deal with the team.
Said Giants board chairman Greg Johnson, “As we look ahead, we’re looking for someone who can define, direct and lead this franchise’s baseball philosophy, and we feel that Buster is the perfect fit. He has the demeanor, intelligence and drive to do this job. The competitive fire he has to win didn’t end when he took his jersey off. It’s as strong today as ever. We’re confident that he and (manager) Bob Melvin will work together to bring back winning baseball to San Francisco.”
Describing his personal motivation for taking on the challenge, Posey said, “I’m so passionate about baseball. I know I finished a few years ago, but the opportunity to elevate people and just being part of something bigger than yourself was really appealing.”
Posey wasted little time getting started. His first official move was signing power-hitting, slick-fielding shortstop Willy Adames to a lucrative, seven-year contract. Adames joins with Chapman to form baseball’s tightest fielding left side of the infield. In fact, Adames was so excited to join the Giants that he came to Scottsdale a month before spring training to work out with other early arrivals. Said Adames, “After getting traded twice, I think it makes it easier to come early and get comfortable. That’s why I’ve been hanging here for the last month, because I wanted to get that going and create that bonding with the guys before spring training started.”
Next, Posey signed sure-fire future Hall-of-Fame pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year deal. While critics of the move pointed to the 42-year-old’s age as a sign that he is well past his prime, Verlander is the kind of pitcher who knows what he has left in the tank. Like Adames, Verlander is anxious to make his mark in San Francisco. He will also have the chance to impart the knowledge he has gained from his 20 years on the mound to the team’s promising crop of young pitchers. “I genuinely think this team could sneak up on some people,” said Verlander. “There’s a good chance we could do something special.”
Towards that end, Posey invited a contingent of former Giants to spring training as instructors, each with a special focus. J.T. Snow tutored promising prospect Bryce Eldridge on the finer points of first base as only a six-time Gold Glover can. Joe Panik did the same for Tyler Fitzgerald, who transitions from short to second base with the arrival of Adames. Yusmeiro Petit and Santiago Casilla worked with reliever Camilo Doval, the former shut-down closer who struggled last season. They were joined by a who’s who of Forever Giants, including Dave Righetti, Pablo Sandoval, Javier Lopez, Marco Scutaro, Rich Aurilia, Jeffrey Leonard, Jeremy Affeldt, Hunter Pence and Ryan Vogelsong.
Again, critics wondered why Posey didn’t bring even more new bodies onto the team. Fact is, the Giants already had so much existing talent that it might become hard to give everyone enough playing time.
Center fielder Jung Hoo Lee had already attracted a large, vocal fan club at Oracle Park last year when his season abruptly ended on May 12, when he suffered a severe shoulder injury crashing into the outfield wall, attempting one of his spectacular catches. Lee is primed for a major comeback.
In his absence, Heliot Ramos took over center and played so well that he made the NL All-Star team. A spot must be found for him.
Former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray was still recovering from off-season arm surgery and didn’t make his Giants debut until July 24. He pitched in only seven games before a hip injury finished his year. Now healthy and with a new changeup in his repertoire, Ray joins a loaded pitching staff headed by ace Logan Webb. Once again, 2024 Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey will be behind the plate, receiving their pitches.
Then there’s Wilmer Flores and Mike Yastrzemski and Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr. and Casey Schmidt, the list goes on and on.
Even so, most pundits agree that it will take more than a season for the Giants to rejoin the playoff hunt. But what if Verlander is right? What if this year’s team sneaks up on the competition and enjoys a special season?
If that happens, there surely will be “Buster Hugs” all around.
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