Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi seems prepared to make big changes this offseason. Zaidi stunned some in the baseball world by firing manager Gabe Kapler before the season ended. It was even more of a surprise when he hired former Oakland A's and San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin to lead the squad.
Melvin is a Bay Area native, having attended high school and played baseball south of San Fransisco in Atheron. He then played one season at the University of California at Berkley. He then transferred to Cañada College in Redwood City. He played Major League Baseball with several teams from 1985-1994. He began his coaching career in 1994 and took his first job as a manager with the Seattle Mariners in 2003. He went on the manage the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland A's and spent a season with the Padres before accepting the managerial job with his hometown team, the Giants.
Zaidi seems prepared to give Melvin a top-tier team going into the 2024 season. Here are some premier players Zaidi should push to sign for the 2024 campaign.
Giants need to sign Rhys Hoskins
Hoskins spent the 2023 season on the injured list after suffering an ACL injury in Spring Training. While recovering, Bryce Harper, recovering from an elbow surgery, took over at first base.
The Giants need power bats with star power, and Hoskins may brilliantly fill this role for the Giants. In addition to playing first base, he also has experience flexing to a designated hitter role, which will also come in handy for the Giants
In almost six seasons with the Phillies, Hoskins hit .242/.353/.492 with an OPS of .846. He has 146 career home runs while scoring 392 runs and 405 RBI.
Hoskins is a native Californian, having gone to Jesuit High School in Carmichael. He was attending California State University in Sacramento when he was drafted by the Phillies in 2014. Signing with the Giants could be a fun homecoming for Hoskins. It will solve a big need for the team, as well.
Giants need to sign Tim Anderson
After struggling through the 2023 season, Anderson could use a change in scenery one can only get at Oracle Park.
Brandon Crawford manned the shortstop position for the Giants for 11 seasons. The Giants are looking for a new man to take over the role. Anderson could be the perfect fit, as he needs a reboot. For eight seasons with the White Sox, Anderson was an All-Star twice and a Silver Slugger once.
In 2023, Anderson split time between shortstop and second base, adding another possible way he could help the Giants. He hit .245/.286/.296 with an OPS of .582. The struggle was real. He had 18 doubles, two triples, one home run, 52 runs scored, and 25 RBIs. He also had 13 stolen bases.
It would be a vast change in scenery for Anderson, but it could be just the location he needs to reboot his career. Anderson deserves to go out better than he ended with the White Sox. Anderson and the Giants could be a good combination.
Giants need to sign Matt Chapman
Fansided's MLB Insider Robert Murray reports that the Giants could be in on Chapman this offseason. This would reunite Chapman with Melvin, who was his manager in Oakland. Murray said Chapman and Melvin visited during the recent GM Meetings in Arizona.
Chapman played for the Toronto Blue Jays for one season after being traded by the A's. He was a Gold Glove winner in his one season. He hit .240/.330/.424 with a .755 OPS. He had 39 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 66 runs scored and 54 RBIs.
Chapman graduated from El Toro High School in Lake Forest, CA. He was drafted in 2014 out of California State University - Fullerton.
The Giants could use a big name on their roster. Chapman fills a needed role at third base. If the Giants were to sign Chapman, this would be a massive get for the team that could meet many of their needs.
Giants need to sign Shohei Ohtani
Whoever signs Ohtani, will be getting a huge name added to their roster. Ohtani, however, would be a massive star for the Giants.
Ohtani's camp is keeping quiet about who the star is speaking with. But the free agent could receive the largest contract in MLB history. It's going to be staggering. It will also be a huge boost for the fan base of whichever team nets this offseason's big catch.
It's unclear whether Ohtani will pitch again after a second UCL surgery. But even with the injury to his arm, he is still hitting and had a massive season at the plate for the Los Angeles Angels. He hit .304/.412/.654 with an OPS of 1.066. He had 26 doubles, eight triples, 44 home runs, 102 runs scored, and 95 RBIs. He stole 20 bases.
Ohtani won the AL MVP honor for the second time this offseason. He's been an All-Star and a Silver Slugger. He won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018.
If the Giants could sign Ohtani, it would be huge for the organization and give them a signature star athlete they desperately need. Ohtani would be beloved in the Bay Area.
Giants need to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto would be another huge get for the Giants in their quest for a signature piece and name to add to their organizations this offseason. This may end up being the player the Giants have their minds set on. According to NBC Sports - Bay Area, Zaidi is expected to pursue Yamamoto seriously.
The Team Japan star can begin speaking with MLB Teams this week through January 4. He will return to the Orix Buffaloes in the Nippon Professional Baseball League if he does not sign with an MLB team. Now 24, Yamamoto has been playing with Orix since he was 18.
He was 17-6 with an ERA of 1.16. In 171 innings pitched, Yamamoto had two complete games and one shutout. He had 176 strikeouts.
If Yamamoto signs with an MLB team, he should expect a huge payday. The Giants have the funds to make this happen.
