Former Oakland A’s TV play by play announcer Glen Kuiper who was fired by the A’s for using the N word on live TV has been hired to do play by play for the San Francisco Giants as of Thu Feb 26, 2026. The hiring has social media talking and some objecting to his being back on the air. (Michael Zagaris / Getty Images file)
Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 What are the A’s primary goals for 2026 Spring Training, and how is the club addressing expectations for a return to postseason contention?
#2 Who are the key non-roster invitees or young players competing for major-league roster spots at spring camp, and what standouts have emerged so far?
#3 How is the A’s early spring training performance win-loss record or pitching struggle shaping perceptions of the team’s readiness for the regular season?
#4 What impact might contract extension negotiations — especially involving rising star players like Nick Kurtz — have on the club’s preparations and morale heading into spring?
#5 How is the team handling its branding and local engagement — including the use of “Sacramento” on alternate jerseys and continued play in Sutter Health Park — amid preparations for Spring Training and the upcoming season?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
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Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
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Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
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Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on February 15, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
DOWNTOWN SCOTTSDALE — The San Francisco Giants were back in action on Thursday afternoon for their sixth game of the Spring Training slate at 1 p.m. MST. On Thursday, the Giants fell to the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium 11-3.
Hayden Birdsong had another rough outing for the Giants as his chances of making the Opening Day team seem slimmer and slimmer by the day. Birdsong pitched one inning, giving up three runs on four hits. On the bright side, Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos each hit their first home runs of the season in what was a welcome power display for the Giants.
Yet, the score of Thursday’s matchup is hardly the story of the day. Spring training is always more about hitters finding their timing and pitchers getting ramped up than any on-field result. Granted, rookies and fringe Opening Day roster players fight for a chance on the big league club come game one, but the lion’s share of the work is in preparing for the 162-game grind for the team’s established players. While all of that remains true for the 2026 spring training for the Giants, there’s a vibe of newness and evergreen experience with this club. However, above all else, is the uncertainty surrounding the season ahead.
The Giants are, of course, now being managed by first-time MLB manager Tony Vitello. That alone is enough change for the club to feel as if they are starting from scratch.
However, I would argue the uncertainty surrounding the Giants has little to do with the question mark of Vitello and much more to do with the question of whether this roster, as currently constructed, can truly compete in 2026.
The Giants have a talented roster. There’s no doubt about that. The question remains whether the pieces they have had mostly together since the trade deadline of last year can be a club capable of rising out of baseball hell. Can the Giants rise significantly above the .500 mark, or will they remain where they have been since finishing 107-55 in the 2021 season?
Call me pessimistic, but I think it will be a real challenge for Tony Vitello and the Giants to significantly improve upon last season’s totals. My main concern? Well, after what were largely career-average years from the majority of their players, the Giants don’t have many places to look for drastic improvements from their holdover players, and they didn’t add many impact guys to the mix in the offseason.
For instance, Matt Chapman during his career has consistently been a 115-120 OPS+ hitter. Last season, he had a 120 OPS+ and a 4.1 WAR. Willy Adames has a career 109 OPS+; last season, he had a 111 OPS+. Rafael Devers, who many considered to have had a down few months with the Giants, has a career OPS+ of 129; with the Giants last season, he had a 130 OPS+. Heliot Ramos, who had a solid season defense aside, has a career 110 OPS+; last season, Ramos had a 108 OPS+. So, without being too much of a downer, I don’t think the Giants should expect big improvements on the offensive side of the ball from their mainstays.
With that being said, it seems the improvements for the Giants offense must come from the fringes. That, in my estimation, is an uncertain proposition indeed.
Do the Giants expect a meaningful contribution from highly touted prospect Bryce Eldridge? He’s been okay this spring but had a fairly disastrous start to his big league career last fall, hitting .107 with 13 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances. I’m sure the Giants would love a Nick Kurtz-type showing from him this season, which might be needed for this offense, but that is a lofty request for such a young player playing at Oracle Park.
Jung Hoo Lee has seemingly been an underwhelming offensive threat for the Giants, given the amount of money they have committed to the 27-year-old from Japan. Granted, he hasn’t been terrible on the offensive side of the ball, but I think he has undershot expectations, fair or not. That’s not even mentioning his below-average defensive metrics last season playing the outfield. The Giants hope the move to right field will improve those defensive numbers, given his above-average arm.
On the pitching side, the bullpen remains a bit of a mystery. The Giants will suffer from Randy Rodriguez continuing his rehab from Tommy John surgery while also having traded away key pieces at the deadline. Yet, the Giants seem to find ways to make the bullpen work, even if it is not lined with stars.
The Giants rotation includes three guys I assume will be in it come Opening Day: Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp. All had fairly career-average years last season.
All that, of course, begs the question: Where will the Giants’ big increases in production come from in 2026?
If the Giants want to compete for the playoffs in 2026, they will need to be one of the most defensively sharp and situationally sound clubs in the majors. That seems to be the fringes the Giants can win over to make a big step forward in a positive direction.
Can Tony Vitello, in his first big league season as manager, get that type of buy-in from his players?
San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee, of South Korea, works out during spring training baseball on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Scottsdale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
By Vince Cestone
The San Francisco Giants are off to a hot start in spring training, going 4-0 to start the Cactus League campaign. But what has really shined for the Giants so far–their pitching.
In their four wins, the Giants held their opponents to just 10 runs, no small feat in the thin, dry Arizona air. And five of those runs came in the first inning of the Cactus League opener where bullpen hopeful Hayden Birdsong struggled with his command. He’ll hope to bounce back in his next spring training appearance.
In the Cactus League opener on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria, the Giants bounced back from Birdsong’s horrible outing and won the game 10-5 after being down 5-0 in the first. In his start, he was only able to get one out and gave up five runs, on three walks, while walking two. The knockout punch came when Mariners third baseman Miles Mastrobuoni hit a grand slam, to make the score 5-0.
The Giants bullpen, which used nine relievers, took over and pitched a scoreless 8 2/3 innings. Right hander Blake Tidwell headlined the impressive bullpen performance by striking out the side in his one inning of work. Tidwell was lighting up the radar gun in the high 90s and could make the team as a solid relief option in the late innings. The Giants acquired Tidwell in the Tyler Rogers trade last season.
On the offensive side, the Giants exploded for 10 runs. New Giants outfielder Harrison Bader smashed a 2-RBI double in the second inning, and designated hitter hopeful Bryce Eldridge also had an RBI double in the third inning.
In Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs, the Giants’ pitching shined in their 4-2 win at Scottsdale Stadium. Starting pitcher Robbie Ray wiggled his way out of trouble after giving up a hit and two walks in the first.
This is how Ray survived–with a triple play to get out of the inning.
Carson Seymour chimed in with a one-hit scoreless second inning. He’s also hoping to make the Giants bullpen once they break north for camp. Tristan Beck and Spencer Bivens, who were part of the Giants bullpen last year, also pitched scoreless innings.
On offense, new Giants second baseman Luis Arraez hit a single in the game in three tries. Third baseman Matt Chapman went 2-for-2 with a double. Will Brennan, who the Giants recently signed for outfield depth, contributed with an RBI single in the second inning. Through some small ball, the Giants scratched across four runs and beat the Cubs 4-2.
In the third game of spring training against the Athletics, the Giants again only gave up two runs, but this time added their first home run of the spring.
In the eighth inning, designated hitter Victor Bericoto hit a home run to right field, making the score 6-2 Giants. Bericoto also had an RBI-single in the sixth inning. This Giants prospect converted from catcher to the outfield in 2024. Bericoto signed with the Giants in 2018 as an international free agent.
On the pitching side, in the first inning, JT Brubaker gave up the only two runs the Giants allowed. Trevor McDonald, who made three appearances for the Giants last season, pitched a perfect second inning, striking out two. Marques Johnson was impressive, striking out the side in the sixth inning.
Arraez went 2-or-3 in the game, with a double, single, and 2 RBIs. Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee had a single in the game, going 1-for-3, and Luis Matos had an RBI single. The Giants defeated the A’s in dominant fashion, a rarity in the Cactus League, where the A’s have traditionally had the Giants’ number.
And on Tuesday, in the Giants’ fourth game of the spring, their pitching was better yet. The Giants beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 4-1, as ace Logan Webb shined in his two innings of work.
In those two perfect innings, Webb had four strikeouts. Landon Roupp followed with a strong scoreless third inning, allowing just one walk but striking out two. Matt Gage followed in the fourth inning with a perfect frame. In the fifth inning, embattled Giants closer Ryan Walker gave up one hit, but struck out two in his scoreless inning. Walker is vying for the closer role after the Giants decided not to sign one in the free agent market. Walker will be someone to watch this spring.
With the bats, the Giants only had four hits in the game but made the most of them. Lee went 1-for-3 with an RBI single, which opened the scoring in the second inning. The Giants scored the next three and final runs on sacrifice flies, including one from catcher Patrick Bailey. Bailey will look to improve things with the bat in 2026.
The Giants will next play on Wednesday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. Game time is 12:10 p.m. from American Family Fields of Phoenix. You can listen to the game on MLB.com.
Major League Baseball Players Association senior director Bruce Meyer answers questions to the media in MLBPA offices in New York Mar 11, 2022 (AP News file photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 Will MLB avoid a labor dispute or lockout later in 2026? With the current collective bargaining agreement scheduled to expire after the 2026 season and owners pushing for changes like a potential salary cap, there’s significant uncertainty about labor peace beyond this season.
#2 Can any team realistically stop the reigning champions and favorites? The Los Angeles Dodgers enter 2026 as back-to-back National League champions and World Series winners and will try to become the first team since the 2000s Yankees to three-peat.
#3 How will the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system affect games? MLB is implementing an automated strike-zone challenge system for the 2026 season, which could meaningfully change umpiring, game strategy, and pace of play.
#4 Which remaining free agents or trades will shape contending rosters? With notable free agents still unsigned and trade rumors circulating, questions remain about where players like top free agents sign and how teams will bolster key areas.
#5 Amaury for the Sacramento A’s who will win key roster spots, especially around the infield? With new acquisitions and players like Zack Gelof competing for positioning, a central question is whether veterans or younger talent will earn starting roles come Opening Day.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Aaron Judge takes batting practice on Mon Feb 16, 2026 for the New York Yankees on Mon Feb 16, 2026. Judge hit two home runs against the Detroit Tigers in exhibiton play on Sat Feb 21, 2026. (AP News photo)
Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:
#1 How significant was Aaron Judge’s two-home-run performance in his 2026 Spring Training debut for the New York Yankees, and what does it signal for the Yankees’ season prospects?
#2 How will Shohei Ohtani’s planned Cactus League games with the Los Angeles Dodgers before joining the World Baseball Classic affect both his preparation and the Dodgers’ spring training strategy?
#3 What impact will the news of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Bill Mazeroski’s death at age 89 have on the baseball community and how are teams commemorating his career?
#4 What were the key highlights and takeaways from the Washington Nationals winning both games in their split-squad spring training action on Feb 21?
#5 Critics are saying the 2026 Sacramento A’s could be this year’s sneakest team. They have some key players in the their line up with Denzel Clarke, Jacob Wilson, Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz, and Shea Langeliers that can hit the big fly.
San Francisco Giants manager was none too pleased regarding press reports that he was signed sealed and delivered and coming to manage the Giants. Vitello told reporters on Mon Feb 16, 2026 that the reports were premature. (photo by MLB)
Headline Sports Podcast Jessica Kwong:
#1 San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said during a spring trainning media session that he didn’t think it was appropriate that the media broke the news that he was signing with thee Giants while negotiations were not finalized. Vitello compalined it set off confusion on how he departed from his managing job at Tennessee as he spoke to beat writers and reporters in Scottsdale the Giants spring training camp. Some say this will create bad blood between the media and Vitello and Vitello could expect more criticism in news reports in the weeks to come.
#2 NFL & Contracts / Team Strategy: How will the recent restructuring of Patrick Mahomes’ contract affect the Kansas City Chiefs’ ability to invest in other key roster positions and compete in the 2026 season?
#3 MLB Labor Relations: With Tony Clark resigning as head of the Major League Baseball Players Association amid scrutiny and an impending collective bargaining negotiation, how might this leadership change impact labor relations and potential disputes between players and owners?
#4 Women’s Sports Expansion: What are the potential long-term effects on college athletics and professional women’s sports of Conference Carolinas launching the first varsity women’s flag football season and its recognition by the NCAA?
#5 NFL Infrastructure & Fan Experience: How might the design and construction of the new $2.4 billion Cleveland Browns stadium — emphasizing fan culture with features like the “Dawg Pound Stand” — influence how future professional sports facilities are designed to enhance fan engagement?
Tony Clark Major League Players Association executive director, resigns
By Amaury Pi Gonzalez
ESPN reported today that the Major League Baseball Players Association executive director, Tony Clark, resigned Tuesday after an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law, who was hired by the union in 2023, sources told ESPN.
The union, which was scheduled to start its spring training tour of all 30 clubhouses on Tuesday, abruptly canceled its 8 a.m. ET meeting with the Cleveland Guarduians in Goodyear, Arizona.
His resignation comes months before the MLPA will face an “almost certain” lockout by a good man and leader in negotiations will not be in charge of one of the country’s top labor unions when they face the owners next December.
During the union’s internal probe — which came in the wake of a wide-ranging and still-open federal investigation into the MLBPA’s finances and other alleged improprieties, including nepotism — the relationship between Clark and the woman came to light, sources said, and prompted him to step down after more than a dozen years as the union’s leader.
The federal investigation was triggered by a whistleblower complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board in November 2024, alleging self-dealing, misuse of resources, abuse of power, and nepotism. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires December 1, 2026, and then here comes the labor battle. What could be the “Main Event” in Baseball this year? A Lockout happens, and big money will be lost by both sides, and fans will sour on the game again, as they have done during previous strikes and lockouts. No es bueno.
No official successor has been named; the union is expected to select an interim leader shortly.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Kung Fu robots demonstrate some serious martial arts in China almost perfect form that would be difficult to duplicate for a human on Mon Feb 16, 2026 (China Media Group (CMG) 2026 Spring Festival Gala photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 Amaury, CNN reported on Monday night the technology of robots were domonstrated performing martial arts in China and there were a dozen doing a Kung Fu demonstration in unison as they were performing at a Spring Gala Festival. While martial arts is a huge sport and a huge sport at the Olympics what about the idea that robots can do martial arts and many things frankly better than humans?
#2 Bay FC Women’s soccer players have said that it’s a breath of fresh air that Bay has hired new head coach Emma Coates. After a tough 2025 last season under former head coach Albertin Montoya who was said to bully players in meetings, gave players the cold shoulder, punishing players who addressed mental health concerns, one player had anixety going to training. These issues were addressed and the to the players relief that their happy to have coach Coates leading them for this season.
#3 San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez is a quick learner according to Giants infield coach and former LA Angels manager Ron Washington. Washington said during Giants camp this week in Scottsdale that Arraez is picking up everything quickly and could turn into another Marcus Semien who developed into one of baseball’s top infielders.
#4 Lots of talk regarding the Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz the talk hasn’t stopped since Kurtz ripped four home runs in one game in Houston last season and he’s expected to deliver the goods this season again.
#5 Someone wrote about that Roberto Clemente the former Pittsburgh Pirates legendary right fielder didn’t die chasing a trophy but carrying food to others who needed it such as the case of flying to Nicaragua where his plane crashed into the ocean before making it there in December 31, 1972.
#6 Major League Baseball players union representiative Tony Clark has resigned from his top position. The most likely reason is the impending players lockout that will take place and that Clark will be in the middle of a storm negotiating with MLB to prevent a salary cap that the owners plan to implement. In addition he’s being accused in a federal probe for having a inapporpriate relationship with his sister in law.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Cleveland Guardians’ Will Brennan follows through with his swing against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of a spring training baseball game on March 17, 2025, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
By Vince Cestone
The San Francisco Giants are back in Arizona for spring training, as pitchers and catchers reported for duty last week.
The Giants are getting ready for their opener against the New York Yankees on March 25. The game will be televised exclusively on Netflix at 5:05 p.m. PDT. This will be the first game broadcasted in the 2026 Major League Baseball season.
Here are some news and notes from big league camp this week:
The Giants signed outfielder Will Brennan to a major league deal this week but it’s a split contract. That means he will get $900,000 when he’s playing in the big leagues and $400,000 when he’s playing in the minor leagues. While not a splashy move, Brennan can add addition depth to a Giants outfield that was ranked one of the worst in all of baseball last year.
The Cleveland Guardians non-tendered Brennan in November. The 28-year-old hit .267 with a .307 on-base percentage throughout his four year Major League career. His best year came in 2024, when he hit .264 with eight home runs and a .309 on-base percentage. The only issue is he’s been injury prone. If he can stay healthy, the Giants may have a solid backup outfielder or a steady fill-in if one of the starters get injured.
On the pitching side, the Giants signed right-hander Rowan Wick to a one-year major league deal. The problem? Wick is recovering from Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch in 2026. The deal does include a club option for 2027, so there’s a chance that Wick can pitch for San Francisco next year.
Wick, 33, spent the past two years pitching in the Japanese league, where he had a 1.75 ERA in 87 2/3 innings. He could prove to be a solid arm at a bargain price for the Giants if he comes back healthy in 2027. Wick previously pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2019-2022, even briefly becoming their closer in 2022. However, he faltered in late 2022 and started the 2023 season in the minors. Who knows? The Giants may be able to work their magic at rehabbing injured pitchers, and he may help them in the bullpen next year.
New Giants manager Tony Vitello is bonding with his new team in a way you don’t see every day. During practice last week, the Giants posted a video of Vitello taking grounders with the team during pitcher’s fielding practice. Vitello was feeding the ball to Logan Webb after fielding a grounder. Already, Vitello may be showing that he’s going to be a more hands-on manager when bonding with the team. Only time will tell if we’ll see more of Vitello on the field during practices.
The Giants signed Vitello to a three-year, $3.5 million annual contract. Vitello replaces Bob Melvin. After the 2023 season, Melvin was hired by former Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi, who was dismissed at the end of the 2024 season.
The Giants will kick off their spring training schedule on Saturday, Feb. 21, as they will take on the Seattle Mariners at 12:10 PST from Peoria, Arizona. The game will be televised on NBC Sports Bay Area, and you can also listen to the game on KNBR. Of course, Sports Radio Service will have all your San Francisco Giants coverage.
Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is the leading candidate to buy the San Diego Padres but will have to keep the Padres in San Diego and will not be able to move them to Oakland. (file photo New York Times)
Joe Lacob is still the favorite to buy the Padres
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi Gonzalez
Joe Lacob tried to buy these teams in the past: the Oakland A’s, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Today, he is considered the favorite to buy the San Diego Padres, who are officially on the market. Bids are expected by the end of February 2026. The San Diego franchise is valued between $1.9 billion and $2.3 billion; however, the current ownership may seek around $3 billion.
While some reports label Lacob a leading suitor, other potential buyers are involved as well. Lacob, who also owns the NBA Golden State Warriors and the WNBA Golden State Valkyries, confirmed he has toured Petco Park in San Diego. While he has not yet committed to a final decision, all reports indicate he remains the leading suitor for the franchise.
Joe Lacob attempted to buy the Oakland Athletics in 2005 , reaching a verbal agreement to purchase the team from then-owner Stephen Schott for approximately $180 million. However, then-MLB Commissioner Bud Selig blocked the sale, favoring a bid from John Fisher and Lew Wolff, which ultimately led to Lacob purchasing the Golden State Warriors instead.
Lacob maintained a standing offer to buy the Oakland Athletics from John Fisher for over a decade, while expressing interest in buying the team for many years (over a decade). His standing offer to buy the team from Fisher and keep it in Oakland until 2022.
The A’s under Fisher are on their way to conclude a 3-year stay at Sacramento, the city they are using as a stopover until he inaugurates his new indoor park Las Vegas, Nevada. How much have MLB franchises appreciated during the past 40 years? Walter Haas Jr., then-chairman of Levi Strauss & Co., purchased the Oakland Athletics from Charlie O. Finley for $12.7 million on August 23, 1980.
Quote: “The Stock Market is a better investment than owning an MLB team” – Rob Manfred (2022), Commissioner of Baseball.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Sports Radio Service 