Hello and happy Friday.
In the Thursday BP, a spirited discussion unfolded about the San Francisco Giants and the money they’re spending. Or, more accurately, the money they’re not spending. The Giants took a step backwards last year in money spent, and they’re currently on pace to do something similar this year.
Giants opening day payroll ranks, per Cots:
— GPT (@giantsprospects) December 17, 2020
2015: 4th
2016: 5th
2017: 5th
2018: 2nd
2019: 6th
2020: 11th
I hope the goal is not to normalize lower payrolls under the guise of long-term flexibility. Roughly 60M under the artificial cap line right now. Projected 40M under in 2020.
It’s unclear if that accounts for Buster Posey opting out of the season or not.
The offseason is still very young, and most of the top players on the market are still unsigned. The Giants have every opportunity to empty the wallet, and every opportunity to ... well ... not empty the wallet.
Where will they end up?
Old, random MCC article for you to read
Brandon Belt accidentally shaved off half his eyebrow just before Photo Day, and we have the photos to prove it (March 22, 2019 — Doug Bruzzone)
Giants links
- Podcast: Grant Brisbee and Andrew Baggarly on the slow, thus far, offseason (The Athletic, free)
- Kerry Crowley on director of team travel Abe Silvestri, who played a key role in making the 2020 season work (Mercury News)
- Andrew Baggarly on how Anthony DeSclafani doesn’t represent the end of the Giants rotation building (The Athletic, subscription required)
- John Shea on Farhan Zaidi’s comments about Anthony DeSclafani (SF Chronicle)
- Marc Delucchi on why Giants fans should lower their expectations for Anthony DeSclafani (Around the Foghorn)
- Alex Pavlovic on how the Giants are still looking for starting pitchers (NBC Sports Bay Area)
- Nick San Miguel on if Jaylin Davis will contribute in 2021 (Around the Foghorn)
- Alex Pavlovic on three young pitchers that Gabe Kapler is high on (NBC Sports Bay Area)
How many days until Opening Day?
There are 104 days until Opening Day.
I hope your Friday is tremendous.