Giants Face Tough Season Ahead
Though we’re still not halfway through the 2026 Major League Baseball season, it appears the San Francisco Giants are already contemplating a rebuild.
After a recent win against the Atlanta Braves, their record stands at 30-43, placing them 17 games behind the leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Curiously, with the addition of a third wild card spot, they still find themselves eight games behind the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals, who currently hold that position.
To add some perspective, they would need to outpace the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Marlins, Reds, and Mets just to contend for that third wild card spot. In simpler terms, the only National League team trailing the Giants is the struggling Colorado Rockies.
This predicament has prompted reports indicating that the Giants’ front office is open for trading discussions as the deadline approaches. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com, Buster Olney at ESPN, and sources from The Athletic all hint that the Giants are poised to become sellers.
Notably, Feinsand and Olney have pointed out that some of the team’s higher-priced players, such as first baseman Rafael Devers, shortstop Willie Adames, and third baseman Matt Chapman, could potentially be on the move. However, pitcher Logan Webb and several promising younger players are considered untouchable.
Fast forward to October 2024—Buster Posey was appointed as president of baseball operations for the Giants. A revered figure within the franchise, Posey brings invaluable experience, though his familiarity with analytics, prevalent in contemporary baseball evaluation, might be lacking.
When Posey succeeded the analytically driven Farhan Zaidi, many felt it was a favorable change for traditionalists. Zaidi, who helped elevate the Dodgers into a powerhouse team, was dismissed despite a strong 107-win season in 2021, largely due to three underwhelming seasons that followed.
Posey’s first year resulted in an equal number of wins and losses: 81. Unfortunately, things haven’t improved in his second year, with mounting expectations in the large San Francisco market. His salary is slated to escalate from $175 million in 2024 to $210 million in 2026. Perhaps, one might say that the Buster Posey era has already hit a snag.
It’s evident he can’t bear the brunt of the Giants’ hardships alone, but certain decisions made under his leadership haven’t panned out as hoped.
Take Adames, for example; Posey’s first significant move was to sign him as a free agent. While he seemed to shine in 2025, his performance this year has faltered considerably. He registered solid numbers in previous seasons, yet he’s now underperforming, and earning $26 million annually through 2031.
Then there’s Rafael Devers. Initially a standout in Boston, he found himself at odds with the Red Sox management and was traded to the Giants in a bid to build the team around him until his contract ends in 2033. Unfortunately, his current season stats show a decline—with merely nine homers and a .234 batting average. Now, he, too, is rumored to be on the trading block.
The situation becomes even grimmer with the players Posey traded away. Kyle Harrison, once a top prospect, is now excelling with the Brewers after being traded in the offseason. He boasts an impressive strikeout rate and ERA. Comparatively, Devers is underwhelming, making a negative impact on the field. Meanwhile, Harrison earns a fraction of Devers’ upcoming salary.
Also, James Thibbs III, another key component of the Devers trade, has made strides in the minors since his departure, contributing significantly to his new team and being recognized as a top prospect.
On a brighter note, Bryce Eldridge is beginning to show promise, and young prospect Josuar Gonzalez might shine in the future. Luis Arraez has surprised many, while Casey Schmidt has emerged as a reliable player. However, the pitching staff has left much to be desired, and the farm system isn’t providing the needed reinforcements.
And that’s the crux of the issue. Despite the Giants’ larger budget and market size, they’ve struggled to craft a cohesive roster.
For reference, consider the Dodgers, who are managing to stay competitive even without key players—due to their impressive depth in the minor leagues and strategic use of analytics for defensive plays.
The stark contrast is evident. While the Dodgers thrive, the Giants find themselves grappling with failed trades and underperforming players, leading to a messy, chaotic situation. It’s that difference that marks the best organizations from the rest—right now, the Giants seem far from joining the ranks of the elite.
