It's a season of changes for the San Francisco Giants as they look to kick off Opening Day against the Padres on Thursday.
After adding around $400 million in key free agents and trades, the Giants are primed to build off a disappointing 160-164 record over the past two seasons.
Over the last few seasons, the Giants have been the bridesmaids in free agency after seeing big-time players sign elsewhere or even use them as leverage to get better deals from other teams. I guess that makes them more of the person you use to make your ex jealous.
The Giants have a new manager, a new leadoff hitter who was a star in Korea, a new Platinum Glove-winning third baseman, two former CY Young-winning pitchers (one of whom is the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner) and a few other key moves that couldn't possibly make them worse?
Even longtime PA announcer Renel Brooks-Moon will no longer be with the club this season.
Bob Melvin
Former A's and Padres skipper Bob Melvin looks to take the reigns after Gabe Kapler was fired mid-season last year. The Bay Area native and former Giants player has won Manager of the Year three times and has made the playoffs eight times as a manager.
He has led his team to four division titles and two league championship series. He hopes to break his World Series drought with the team that won three titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Jung Hoo Lee
The Grandson of the Wind comes from the KBO and hopes to provide a spark as the team's primary leadoff hitter. He won the KBO Rookie of the Year in 2017, the KBO MVP in 2022 and is a five-time KBO Gold Glove Award recipient.
He signed a six-year, $113 million contract with a big question mark: How will he adjust to MLB pitching?
Blake Snell
Undoubtedly the Giants' biggest move of the offseason, and the most recent one, the reigning NL CY Young winner looks to give the Giants the best 1-2 punch in the league. He joins NL CY Young runner-up Logan Webb at the top of the Giants' rotation.
He came at a pretty hefty discount on a two-year, $62 million contract. Especially when it was reported early in free agency he wanted a deal over $200 million.
Two-time CY Young award winners don't grow on trees.
Robbie Ray
Speaking of CY Young winners, the Giants' riskiest move was shipping Mitch Haniger and Anthony Desclafani to the Mariners for former AL CY Young Award winner Robbie Ray.
It's risky because he won't be available until maybe more than halfway through the season. Who knows how he'll bounce back after recovering from Tommy John surgery last May.
But if he is his former self, it's hard to find a better 1-2-3 than one consisting of Robbie Ray, Blake Snell and Logan Webb.
Matt Champman
Former Oakland A's standout third baseman Matt Chapman signed with the Giants for $54 million over three years.
The 30-year-old former All-Star brings one of the best gloves in the league at the hot corner. Winning four Gold Gloves and two Platinum Gloves.
Jorge Soler
The Giants brought in some Soler power to the lineup with the addition of Jorge Soler who clubbed 36 home runs for the Miami Marlins last season.
This is good because the Giants' most consistent source of power, Joc Pederson, left for the division rival Diamondbacks.
If Soler replicates his 2023 season at Oracle Park, he'll be the first Giant to hit 30 home runs since Barry Bonds in 2004.
Jordan Hicks
The biggest head-scratcher was adding reliever Jordan Hicks to a four-year $44 million deal. The head-scratcher is they plan to use him as a starting pitcher.
Maybe the plan is to eventually move him back to the bullpen once Robbie Ray is healthy? The hard-throwing righty logged in more than 77 innings once in his MLB career, that was his rookie year in 2018.
The 27-year-old has looked rock solid in spring training so far, so maybe the move was a diamond in the rough?
The Remaining Roster
The Giants are expecting huge seasons from some young and new faces.
Pablo Sandoval didn't get his farewell tour with the Giants and was cut during spring training. Brandon Crawford signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
This is a new team with no skeleton of the one that won three titles in the previous decade.
Kyle Harrison, the Giants' top prospect, is expected to build on that hype and give a huge boost to the rotation.
Logan Webb looks to build off a stellar season that resulted in a 2nd place Cy Young finish. Camilo Doval looks to remain an elite closer during his second full season as the Giants' 9th-inning guy.
Promising youngsters Luis Matos and Marco Luciano were optioned to AAA on Thursday. The hope is everyday at-bats can ensure they have a better chance for long-term success with the club.
It's a season with a lot of promise and one that should at least have the Giants stay competitive throughout the season.
The Giants start the season in San Diego for a four-game series against the Padres.
The game is slated to start at 1:10 p.m. and will feature Logan Webb toeing the rubber against Yu Darvish.
See more coverage of top Central Coast stories here | Download our app.