Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Sandoval struggling at the plate in attempt to make roster

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval attempts to make it back to the majors since 2021. Sandoval heading to the field at spring training home of the Giants Scottsdale AZ (photo by AP News)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 San Francisco Giant try out Pablo Sandoval has only one hit in 13 at bats striking out nine times. Giants manager Bob Melvin and Sadoval’s teammates are pushing for Sandoval 37 to make it to the roster but he just may end up being a coach advising younger players when spring training is over.

#2 Melvin said that Sandoval is very affable and that his teammates realized how important Sandoval is to the organization. Giants third base coach Matt Williams says that Sandoval is working out with the younger players so he can pass on his knowledge to them.

#3 Michael talk about how you see this season’s outfield with Mike Yastrzemski in right, Jung Hoo Lee in center, and Michael Conforto in left field all left handed outfielders is that a defensive strategy. Only right hander is Austin Slater.

#4 Jorge Soler could play some outfield and could do it once a week and could hit against left handed pitching. How do you see that possibility getting Soler sometime in the outfield to give either Slater or Yastrzemski some rest.

#5 Wilmer Flores can gets some work in as the DH and away from being the platoon hitter. Melvin said that you want to get Flores some at bats he can help with the run production.

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants release J.D. Davis to clear 3B job for Chapman

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Francisco Giants third baseman JD Davis rounds the bases during an exhibition game against the Texas Rangers in Scottsdale AZ on Fri Mar 1, 2024. Davis was released by the Giants on Mon Mar 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants released third-baseman J.D. Davis to clear the way for the recently-signed Matt Chapman to be the team’s everyday third-baseman.

This move was inevitable after the Giants signed Matt Chapman to be their everyday third-baseman on March 3. The Giants placed Davis on waivers on Saturday, and then outright released him Monday. This was despite the fact that Davis was 6-for-15, hitting .400, this spring.

There was also some drama between the Giants and Davis over the off-season. Davis took the Giants to arbitration, and while the Giants offered him $6.55 million for the 2024 Season, Davis was awarded $6.9 million by the three-person arbitration panel.

“We negotiate[ed] all of our arbitration cases in good faith, and tried to reach an agreement with all of our arbitration-eligible players, [Davis] included,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. “Sometimes it happens; sometimes it doesn’t.”

Due to a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, the Giants will not have to pay Davis the $6.9 million that he won in arbitration. The clause stipulates that players are guaranteed the pay in negotiated contracts, but are not guaranteed the pay in contracts decided by arbitration until Opening Day.

With the release coming prior to Opening Day, the Giants will not have to pay Davis the $6.9 million, but they may have to pay him over $1.1 million in termination pay. The CBA states that termination pay applies to players who “failed to exhibit sufficient skill or competitive ability.” With Davis’ .400 spring thus far, the Giants stand a good chance of not having to pay Davis the $1.1 million-plus.

After Chapman signed with the Giants, it was speculated that Davis could have been traded, but with the Giants unable to find a suitable deal for him, they opted to release him instead.

The Giants acquired Davis from the New York Mets on Aug. 2, 2022 at the Trade Deadline in exchange for Darin Ruf. Davis hit .263 with eight home runs in 49 games for the Giants in 2022. He then hit .248 with 18 home runs last season, but he struck out 152 times.

Teams that are looking for a power bat could benefit from signing Davis, who will now become a free agent.

Other Notes:

With Opening Day in San Diego on March 28 now two and a half weeks away, the Giants are making cuts.

Among the cuts was Heliot Ramos, who at one point was not just one of the Giants’ top prospects, but one of the highest-ranked prospects throughout Baseball. However, Ramos has struggled mildly in recent years, especially over the last two seasons.

Ramos was called up by the Giants to start their second game of the 2022 Season against the Miami Marlins on April 9. Ramos went 2-for-3 in that game, and scored a run. However, over the rest of that stint, as well as three others later in the season, Ramos did not record another hit, and ended up hitting .100 in nine games.

Last season, Ramos saw a bit more time with the Giants, and he appeared in 25 games. However, his stats did not improve the way the Giants would have liked, as he hit .179.

Ramos came into camp this spring hoping to bounce back, and he hit a home run against Jordan Hicks in live batting practice. However, once games began, Ramos’ struggles continued, as he was just 2-for-16 in nine games.

The Giants have some competition for bullpen spots this spring. With Camilo Doval set to begin his third season as the Giants’ closer, as well as Taylor and Tyler Rogers set to precede Doval late in games, there are battles for other spots in the bullpen.

The Giants cut left-handed relief pitcher Erik Miller, who despite yet having to have his major league debut, was considered a candidate to make the team. Miller appeared in three games, and gave up four runs, but just one earned run in three innings.

Manager Bob Melvin has stated that he would like one more left-handed reliever to accompany Taylor Rogers in the bullpen. Ethan Small, who is on the 40-man roster, remains an option. Juan Sanchez, and the veteran Amir Garrett, who are in camp non-roster invitees, are also potential options.

While the Giants have not announced their rotation, Logan Webb is set to make his third-straight opening day start, and Kyle Harrison, the Giants’ top prospect, is set to be the number-two starter.

Webb and Harrison talked to NBC Sports Bay Area. The two starters discussed working out together over the off-season in Arizona, as well as how despite being two completely different pitchers, have the same attitude when they compete and take the mound.

With Jordan Hicks being transitioned from a reliever into a starter, and Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray not set to join the rotation until later in the season, Webb and Harrison are expected to be the Giants’ top two starters.

Harrison was called up late last season on Aug. 22, when the Giants were in Philadelphia. He gave up two earned runs over three and a third innings against the Phillies in his major league debut. That was followed by an 11-strikeout, six-and-a-third-inning shutout performance against the Cincinnati Reds in his home debut at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Aug. 28.

Harrison made five more starts for the Giants, including the final game of the season against the Dodgers on Oct. 1, in which he pitched five shutout innings, but also hit three Dodger batters.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Angels and Giants are top contenders for pitcher Blake Snell

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell had been mentioned as favorites of the Los Angeles Angels or San Francisco Giants. Talks are heating up for Snell’s services. (AP file photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael, two teams are top contenders for pitcher Blake Snell’s services the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants. Reports say Snell is open to a short term deal and may not be interested in the Angels who want to shore up their bullpen. That could make Snell a heavy favorite to join the Giants.

#2 You’ve had the chance to talk with Matt Chapman the Giants star third baseman during his Oakland A’s days. You saw what he brought to the game each day. How do you see him fitting in the line up each day and no doubt can provide some power with his bat and has a good defensive glove.

#3 Bob Melvin the Giants manager has been like a magnet getting some star players to sign with San Francisco how much did Melvin play a role in getting players like Jorge Soler, Jung hoo Lee, and Chapman to join the Giants?

#4 Giants outfielder/catcher Blake Sabol has changed uniform numbers twice giving up #2 for Soler, #26 for Chapman, and should be safe from another number switch wearing #61. Sabol whose been a great sport with the number changes says if there are some hits inside the #61 jersey he may stay with that number.

#5 Michael, do you see Melvin using Chapman at shortstop so JD Davis could get some reps at third base. Davis will be sitting a lot of games that Chapman will be starting unless he gets to DH?

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants officially sign Matt Chapman to 1-year deal

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman circles the bases and will be playing on a regular basis for the San Francisco Giants for the 2024 season (AP News file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants made the signing of third-baseman Matt Chapman official today on a one-year, $18 million deal that includes player options for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, as well as a mutual option for the 2027 Season.

The Giants announced the deal at a press conference Monday at Scottsdale Stadium. Chapman was joined by Manager Bob Melvin, whom he is reuniting with after five seasons together across the bay with the Oakland Athletics from 2017 to 2021. Chapman and Melvin made no secret about their excitement for their reunion.

“We had something really special with the A’s, and unfortunately, that got ripped out of our hands and broken up,” said Chapman. “To come back here and have an opportunity with an organization like the Giants that’s not afraid to spend; a team that’s not afraid to go and get free agents and keep guys together and adding; and do all the things you expect a winning franchise to do, we have the opportunity to do that here, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of that.”

“It just seemed like it was destiny,” Chapman added. “I think we’ve got some unfinished business [here].”

For [Champan, this is] the most comfortable spot, and he love[s] playing in the Bay Area,” said Melvin.

Indeed, Chapman is wasting no time making himself comfortable with the Giants.

“Since I’ve been here, I [have felt] super comfortable,” said Chapman. “Going through the defenses, going through all the drills. Got to do it for seven years, so it was just like riding a bike.”

However, Chapman’s arrival means that JD Davis has lost his job as the Giants’ everyday third-baseman. The speculation on the future of Davis is all over the place, from roles as a late-inning pinch-hitter, to being traded. Only time will tell for Davis.

Another player whose future is clouded by the arrival of Chapman is Casey Schmitt. Schmitt had an exciting rookie season for the Giants in 2023, and could perhaps see time as a utility man, as he tried to make even more noise in his sophomore season.

Though, no matter what happens, this off-season has proven that the Giants and President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi are willing to spend money. Despite losing out on Shohei Ohtani and prized starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Zaidi committed to spending over $250 million, as he added Jung-hoo Lee, Jordan Hicks and Jorge Soler.

Chapman is a career-.240 hitter. While his defense is his forte, Chapman also provides power. The Giants are hoping that Jorge Soler can end the Giants’ streak of 19-straight seasons without a 30-home run season from a player, but Chapman could end the streak as well.

Chapman hit 36 home runs with the A’s in 2019; 27 with the A’s in 2021; and 27 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022. Chapman hit .240 with 17 home runs for Toronto in 2023.

Chapman is the second of the “Boras Four” to be signed. Cody Bellinger was re-signed by the Chicago Cubs to a three-year deal on Feb. 28. Starting pitchers Jordan Montgomery, and 2023 National League Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell remained unsigned, but the Giants are believed to be in the running for snell.

Scott Boras indeed accompanied Chapman to his press conference, and he and Chapman offered their thoughts on the situation surrounding Boras and his clients.

“[It was] definitely a strange market this year,” said Chapman, who is expected to try free agency again after this season if his power numbers go back up. “The free agent market was a little abnormal. Our goals were to either get a long-term contract that we felt that I was worth. If not, get the short-term contract with opt-outs and bet on myself.”

“Obviously teams have different thoughts,” said Boras. “There are teams that want long-term [deals] for their particular reasons, and there are teams that want short-term. You kind of listen to both dynamics of what each team has, and wants, and talk to your clients and see what they want to do.”

Chapman also dispelled the reputation that the City of San Francisco has for homelessness and crime.

“I chose to come here,” said Chapman. “I think everybody’s different. Everybody has different things that matter to them, but I’m from California. I played in the Bay Area; I’m comfortable here; and people say what they say, but I think at the end of the day when you look at the franchise, they want to win. They’ve won before, [and] they know how to do it.”

“They have great players, [and] great coaches. So, I don’t see why people wouldn’t want to come here,” Chapman added. “I know that a lot of people have reached out and said they want to come play here and told me that, so I think if that’s [the] narrative, it’s going to change.”

Other Notes:

Giants Play-by-Play Announcer Duane Kuiper praised Manager Bob Melvin’s old-school approach on “Giants Talk” with NBC Sports Bay Area Giants Beat Writer Alex Pavlovic, and Cole Kuiper. He mentioned the departure from the way Gabe Kapler managed the team the last four seasons.

Kuiper also noted the fact that the Giants are taking infield drills every day. It is a drill that Melvin has long employed, as well one Bruce Bochy used when managed the Giants from 2007 to 2019.

Giants agree to $54 million 3 year deal sign third baseman Matt Chapman

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman (right) signed a deal with the San Francisco Giants on Fri Mar 1, 2024 for three years (AP News file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with free agent third-baseman Matt Chapman, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

It’s another signing for the Giants, as well as Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi, who had himself a busy off-season. First came the signing of Korean outfielder, Jung-hoo Lee. Then there was the signing of pitcher Jordan Hicks, and then the signing of Jorge Soler to a three-year deal.

Now, Chapman comes to the Giants, and will be their everyday third-baseman. While Chapman will not provide the Giants with the most efficient bat, he does have power, but most importantly, Chapman, a four-time Gold Glove winner, will provide strong defense at the hot corner.

Chapman will make $20 million this season; $18 million next season; and $16 million in 2026. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Chapman will have opt-outs after each of the first years of the deal.

The question is what will happen to JD Davis, whom the Giants acquired from the New York Mets at the Trade Deadline in 2022, and who came into camp expected to be the Giants’ everyday third-baseman.

Davis is off to a fast start this spring, going 4-for-9 with a pair of home runs. Perhaps Davis could be a power bat, who could come off the bench to hit a home run late in the game.

Chapman is the second of the ‘Boras Four’ to be signed. Cody Bellinger was re-signed to a three-year, $80 million deal by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. However, starting pitchers, Jordan Montgomery, and 2023 National League Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell remain on the marker over a week into spring training games.

The Giants could also be in on Snell, who would provide depth to an interesting pitching rotation. Logan Webb enters his third season as the Giants’ ace, and while he heads the rotation, he is joined by Jordan Hicks, who is being converted from a reliever into a starter, as well as young left-handed prospect, Kyle Harrison.

If Hicks and Harrison pan out, the addition of Snell, as well as the potential for Carson Wisenhunt to be called up later this season could suddenly give the Giants one of the strongest rotations in Baseball.

Other Notes:

The Giants beat the Texas Rangers, 11-5, at Scottsdale Stadium to get their first win of the spring. Despite strong offensive performances from the team, the Giants were the lone team without a spring training win coming into today.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

Crawford, who had spent all 13 years of his major league career with the Giants, and whose loyalty to the Giants dates back to his childhood in the early 1990s, told Andrew Baggarly, the Giants Beat Writer for The Athletic, that he felt like Zaidi did not want him back, despite his willingness to play multiple positions and be a mentor for prospect, Marco Luciano.

“The bottom line is I was not wanted back by the one person who[se opinion] matters,” Crawford told Baggarly. “So I went with a team that gave me a major-league contract,” implying that the Giants offered him a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Crawford also said that despite a good clubhouse, the last two years were not fun, and complained about not generally playing more than two games in a row, as well as the lack of communication by Manager Gabe Kapler.

Manager Bob Melvin has brought a new set of rules into the Giants Clubhouse, following the lack of rules and structure from his predecessor, Gabe Kapler.

Those rules include every player, coach and trainer being on the field for the National Anthem to show their opponent that they are ready to play. Melvin is also making his starting position players stay at the ballpark for a period of time after leaving spring training games.

Veterans, including Austin Slater have shown their appreciation of the new rules and structure in the clubhouse, following two years in which a lack of rules and structure led to disappointing seasons.

One last note to add to the end. The Giants also signed shortstop Nick Ahmed to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Ahmed, who turns 35 years old and has spent the entirety of his 10-year major league career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, seeks to make the team and have a bounceback season with the Giants. He has also expressed his ambition to win the Giants’ every day shortstop job. Ahmed made his debut this afternoon, and went 1-for-3 with a home run.

Stephen Ruderman is an MLB beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Players make it known they prefer Melvin over Kapler

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants players have voiced their preference for manager Bob Melvin the way he runs the club over former Giants manager Gabe Kapler (photo from mlb.com)

On The SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 How happy are the players that former manager Gabe Kapler is gone in favor of first year manager Bob Melvin?

#2 The players seem to be happy with Melvin’s new structure of playing. One of the new rules of Melvin’s that every single person from coaches, players, equipment managers, bat boys, are required to be on the field for the national anthem hats off and lined up before each game.

#3 Melvin said it’s all about the perception that your ready to play saying even if your not playing your engaged. Melvin had similar housekeeping rules when he was with the Oakland Athletics. Although his A’s teams didn’t win too often they respected him enough to be a competitive team and he’s hoping likewise this season in San Francisco.

#4 It was noted that for the national anthem Kapler was in the clubhouse or not on the field and the players were not in front of the dugout. The point that some of the veteran players pointed out was discipline was lacking under Kapler while under Melvin he’s being detailed oriented and wants discipline.

#5 What’s the difference do you see for Melvin who managed the Padres last season and coming over to the Giants and managing this season?

Join Michael Duca for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Sandoval hopes to win a roster spot and return to the show after 3 seasons; Flores could get less ABs with Soler in line up; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval (who doesn’t look like this anymore) hopes to swing into a roster spot for the 2024 season after signing a minor league deal. Sandoval is seen here taking a hack against the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth inning at Anaheim Stadium on Tue Aug 18, 2020. He was released by the Giants the following month Sep 2020 (AP file photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 Long gone are those Giants championship players Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, or even Sergio Romo but coming back to try and win a roster spot is Pablo Sandoval who hasn’t played in the show for three seasons. He last played with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. Sandoval wants this one bad and says he’ll even take a minor league job in Sacramento if he doesn’t make the big club for opening day.

#2 With Sandoval’s return he could help coach some of the younger players on the roster like shortstop Marco Luciano and outfielders Luis Matos and Heliot Ramos. He much of a plus is that having Sandoval around?

#3 Michael, with Jorge Soler in the line up now it’s expected that Wilmer Flores will get less at bats. Flores will get less at bats facing left handed pitching with Soler capable to face leftys. Flores says that it makes the team better and it’s known that it was Flores and Thairo Estrada who convinced Soler to come join the Giants.

#4 Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski says he’s feeling much better after coming off shoulder surgery. Yastrzemski says he throwing 90 feet and he has no restrictions on hitting.

#5 Austin Slater who had an elbow clean up procedure and had to have his ulnar nerve transposed, has no hitting restriction and is now throwing 150 feet.

#6 Giants pitcher Alex Cobb threw some pitches off the mound since having hip surgery. Cobb had a 12 pitch session and threw all fastballs on Monday and he threw off the mound once again on Tuesday. How much of welcome will it be for Cobb to be back in the rotation.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants sign slugger Jorge Soler to cap off first week of camp

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Miami Marlins designated hitter Jorge Soler is looking forward to joining the San Francisco Giants this spring. Soler signed a three year deal with the Giants on Sun Feb 18, 2024 (AP News file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants announced the signing of free agent slugger Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42-million deal to wrap up an interestingly-productive off-season for the team and President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi.

Despite popular belief, the Giants had a solid off-season. They brought on the old-time baseball man, Bob Melvin, as their manager. Then after missing out on Shohei Ohtani, they struck gold with Korean superstar, Jung-hoo Lee. They also added veteran left-handed starter Robbie Ray, as well as flame-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks, whom they will convert to starter.

Pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on Tuesday in Scottsdale, Arizona, but that didn’t stop Zaidi from adding to the club. It has been a slow off-season throughout Baseball, and with quite a few choices still to choose from, Zaidi set his sights on the slugging outfielder, Jorge Soler.

Zaidi had traded outfielder Mitch Haniger to the Seattle Mariners in January, and right away, Zaidi got into contact with Soler. The Giants’ pitch to Soler included a zoom call, which was joined by Wilmer Flores and Thairo Estrada, whom along with Logan Webb and Mike Yastrzemski, are considered the clubhouse leaders for the Giants.

The deal was first reported Monday night by Susan Slusser, the Giants Beat Writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Soler was introduced Saturday afternoon at Scottsdale Stadium, the spring training home of the Giants.

“This is a guy that [brings] you a real impact as a manager,” said Manager Bob Melvin, who plans to hit Soler cleanup. “One guy can have a big impact, especially with that type of power. One swing’s always potentially three runs [with Soler].”  

Soler, who hit 36 home runs for the Miami Marlins last season, is a good fit for the Giants. He is the first true slugger they have had since Barry Bonds left at the end of the 2007 Season. The Giants have not had a single player hit 30 home runs in a season since Bonds hit 45 in 2004, and Soler who also hit 48 home runs in 2019, stands a good chance of ending this slump.

“I expect to have good numbers here,” said Soler through translator and Giants Spanish Play-by-Play Announcer Erwin Higueros. “As far as the team, I was able to talk to the coaches [and] to [Melvin], and hearing about the chemistry that they have, [that is what] I like most.”

Soler also has two rings. He was a big part of the 2016 Chicago Cubs, who beat the Cleveland Indians in a seven-game fall classic to end the 108-year Curse of the Billy Goat, the largest championship drought in Sports History. 

Soler was also the 2021 World Series Most Valuable Player for the Atlanta Braves in their six-game series win over the Houston Astros. He led off that world series with a home run, and then hit a mammoth home run that left Minute Maid Park entirely in Game 6. 

Soler will primarily be used as a designated hitter, but he should see time in the outfield, where the Giants are pretty much set with Michael Conforto in left; Lee in center; and Yastrzemski in right. 

The Giants are now also set offensively, as J.D. Davis (third); Marco Luciano (short); Estrada (second); and Flores (first) are set to make the infield. There is also excitement surrounding Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, who is entering his sophomore season.

Other Notes:

  • Position players reported to camp on Saturday, and are set for their first official workout today, and they will continue to get ready for the Giants’ cactus league opener next Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. 
  • The Giants will also be joined by guests, as is the custom every spring. This year’s guests will include Barry Bonds; Buster Posey; Hunter Pence; Will Clark; Ron Wotus; Dave Righetti; and Dusty Baker.
  • Giants’ two-way prospect, Reggie Crawford, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, will now primarily focus on hitting. 

“The primary focus is hitting,” said Crawford. I decided on that a few weeks ago, so that’s what we’re going to do.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour 2024 Hits the Road for an Unforgettable Baseball Odyssey Across Northern California!

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb makes an appearance at the Giants FanFest on Feb 4, 2023. This was the first FanFest in two years. 2021 and 2022 was canceled due to the Covid 19 protocols. The Giants will hold FanFests in Sacramento, San Jose, Napa and San Francisco in Jan, Feb, and Mar 2024. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The San Francisco Giants are set to kick off the new year with a fresh and revamped experience for their fans – introducing the Giants & KNBR FanFest Tour 2024. Departing from the traditional one-day event held in San Francisco, this reimagined series will hit the road, making stops across Northern California, including Sacramento, San Jose, and Napa.

The aim is to bring Giants players, coaches, alumni, and the beloved Lou Seal directly to the fans in their local communities. The tour, slated to start on Saturday, January 20, at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, promises an extended opportunity for fans to connect with their favorite team.

At each stop, attendees can look forward to autograph sessions, engaging Q&A sessions, the chance to snag exclusive merchandise, and much more. The excitement is palpable as the Giants’ ace, Logan Webb, a native of Rocklin, Calif., is scheduled to appear at the Sacramento event, alongside other current teammates and coaches.

Sarah Hebel, the Director of Marketing for the Sacramento River Cats, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the tour’s first stop, stating, “Player and fan interaction is an integral part of the Sutter Health Park fan experience.” This sentiment underscores the Giants’ commitment to bringing fans closer to the action, fostering a sense of community and shared passion for the game.

The tour doesn’t stop at Sacramento; it will also make its way to San Jose on January 24 and Napa on February 3. Fans attending these events will not only get a chance to meet their favorite players but can also secure tickets for the upcoming 2024 baseball season, along with exclusive offers available only at the tour stops.

A significant twist in this year’s FanFest is the Spring Training-inspired Open House at Oracle Park on March 9, concluding the tour. While active players may not be in attendance due to the timing, fans can still revel in the unique experience of accessing usually restricted ballpark locations, including the field, clubhouse, broadcast booth, and dugout.

The event promises an immersive encounter with Giants alumni, with opportunities for autographs, meet-and-greets, and unforgettable photo ops with the cherished World Series Trophies.

For the San Francisco leg of the tour, there’s an intriguing mention of using “new technology” to allow fans to interact with players in Scottsdale during the Spring Training game. This innovative touch adds a modern twist to the FanFest experience, catering to tech-savvy fans eager to engage with their favorite players even from a distance.

Rachel Heit, Chief Marketing Officer of the San Francisco Giants, highlights the organization’s commitment to evolving with fan preferences, stating, “With the reimagination of Giants & KNBR FanFest in 2024, we’re giving Giants fans even more opportunities and flexibility to connect with their team, while improving and expanding upon a beloved preseason event.”

Sacramento: Saturday, January 20 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Featuring Logan Webb with teammates and coaches Sutter Health Park – Home of the Sacramento River Cats Sacramento Saturday, January 20 (10am – 1 pm)

Featuring Kyle Harrison and Pat Burrell with teammates and coaches San Pedro Square Market 87 North San Pedro St San Jose: Saturday, January 27 (4pm – 7 p.m)

Featuring Michael Conforto and Matt Williams with teammates and coaches, Oxbow Gardens 585 First Street Napa: Saturday, February 3 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

Oracle Park San Francisco Saturday, March 9 (10am – 1pm)

Featuring Giants alumni, broadcasters and Lou Seal

Mauricio Segura has been a Bay Area sportswriter & photographer for the past 20 years, covering baseball, soccer, football, and basketball. He’s contributed articles for Area Chica Magazine, The Baseball Analyst Quarterly, and various newspapers. He currently publishes an online sports and entertainment website called Golden Bay Times and is the graphics and art Director for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame.

Giants get their man; sign Jung-Hoo Lee to six-year deal

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Newly signed San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee tried on his cap and uniform jersey at his press conference. Lee signed a six year deal and met with the media on Fri Dec 15, 2023 at Oracle Park (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants made the signing of Korean outfielder Jung-hoo Lee official today at a press conference at Oracle Park.

The Giants signed Lee to a six-year, $132-million deal, with an opt-out option for Lee after four years. The move came after the Giants came short of signing Shohei Ohtani, and lost him to their archrival Dodgers.

Lee played for the Nexen/Kiwoom heroes in the KBO in South Korea for seven seasons, from 2017 to 2023. He was posted on Dec, 4, and the Giants came to an agreement with him on Tuesday. After Lee passed his physical yesterday, the deal was made official.

The addition of Lee is a big upgrade for the Giants, both on the field and in the clubhouse. Lee has personality to him, which not only lacked in the Giants’ clubhouse in recent seasons, but has lacked amongst players in general in recent years.

Lee jokingly asked if he looked handsome, while putting on his Giants uniform, which had the number 51, that of his idol, and one of the greatest players of all-time, Ichiro Suzuki. Despite being Korean, Lee was born in Japan, because his father, Lee Jong-beom was playing for the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB in Japan.

He was the MVP of the KBO League in 2022, and has a career-.340 average. He is also a contact hitter, who puts the ball in play. Lee’s style of hitting is contrary to that of the power-hitting superstars in high demand today, and it also is a style of hitting that is perfectly suited for Oracle Park.

Oracle Park, which in its 24 years, has been one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in Baseball, where pitching, defense and contact hitting are crucial. It is a philosophy that has been mostly cast aside by the analytics people who run baseball front offices today.

However, it was that philosophy of Baseball that won the Giants three world championships in five years in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and it has been making a slow comeback amongst a few teams over the last two seasons.

The 2022 Cleveland Guardians, the youngest team in Baseball that season, got to Game 5 of the American League Division Series with small-ball hitting; and the 2023 Arizona Diamondbacks improbably won the National League Pennant and got to the World Series using that very style of baseball.

The Giants continue to look to add, as they could be seen as a landing spot for 2023 National League Cy Young Winner Blake Snell, and other free agents.