Giants Struggle in 2026 MLB Season
Heading into the 2026 MLB season, the San Francisco Giants were viewed as a potential dark horse for the playoffs.
With a reliable ace in Logan Webb and the hopeful return of Rafael Devers, along with new manager Tony Vitello—who’s undeniably talented but still somewhat inexperienced—there seemed to be promise if you looked closely enough.
Plus, there’s Buster Posey in a leadership role.
Posey, a former National League MVP and a standout for the franchise, serves as the organization’s president of baseball operations, which means he has a significant influence on key decisions.
But, frankly, this season has been rough.
The Giants’ performance has taken a nosedive. Their offense is struggling historically, the coaching decisions have raised eyebrows, and there’s almost a lack of unity in the clubhouse due to several issues.
As of Sunday afternoon, the team sat at 23-36, marking one of the lowest records in baseball.
With an annual salary of $197.5 million, which ranks 11th in MLB, they’re in a troubling bracket. Alongside the Detroit Tigers, they’re the only team with a top-tier salary and a bottom-five record.
That’s not exactly a desirable position to be in.
It’s not like this poor performance can be blamed just on injuries or random bad fortune; the gameplay overall has been subpar.
Vitello’s management has raised questions—perhaps understandably for someone whose experience is rooted in college baseball. Devers, the highest-paid player at $29.5 million, is having a disastrous season with a .253 batting average and a negative WAR.
Amid the Giants’ struggles, one bright spot has been Luis Arraez.
Arraez is showcasing his exceptional contact-hitting skills this season, boasting a .321 batting average that ranks third in the league and tying for second with 70 hits. He’s walked 14 times, and his nine strikeouts are the fewest among players in the top 100 for batting average.
Switching back to second base from first, where he played previously with the Padres, his defensive skills have also noticeably improved.
Under the guidance of Ron Washington, Arraez has transitioned into a commendable defender, and his WAR has climbed to 2.0, his best since 2023. His one-year, $12 million deal may well be one of the best bargains in the league.
However, even though Arraez stands out as the team’s MVP and Posey’s best acquisition, one can’t help but wonder how long he will stay in a Giants uniform.
It seems the answer is not long.
As teams look to bolster their rosters as the trade deadline approaches, Arraez will be an attractive target because he excels at both hitting and fielding. A batter who regularly reaches base and rarely strikes out, combined with competent defense? That’s a rare find.
The Giants are facing a losing season, and the sooner they acknowledge this reality, the easier it will be to decide their next steps.
According to MLB.com, trading for Arraez in exchange for a few prospects could greatly benefit San Francisco’s No. 19-ranked farm system. This move might also improve their chances for a top pick, possibly UCLA’s Rock Cholowski, and set the stage for a future rebuild away from current expectations.
But, of course, I’m not the one making decisions.
That’s Posey’s role, and it’s what he’s being compensated for.
I’m just intrigued to see what he chooses to do next.
