Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at some 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released Monday on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Examined today are the projections for Alex Dickerson, Jason Vosler, Joey Bart, and Darin Ruf. Ben talked at length last year about how projections systems were overly pessimistic about the Giants, and that they were likely to outperform them because of their commitment to platoons and innovative new hitting coaches. And indeed, the Giants massively outperformed their pessimistic 2020 projections almost to a man. Now, the 2021 ZiPS projections are out, and Ben examines whether or not the computer is buying into what the Giants were able to do in the small sample of 2020. As we'll see, the projections are buying into the improvements to an extent, but they're not all-in just yet. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at some 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released yesterday on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Examined today are the projections for Mauricio Dubón, Brandon Crawford, Evan Longoria, and Donovan Solano. Ben talked at length last year about how projections systems were overly pessimistic about the Giants, and that they were likely to outperform them because of their commitment to platoons and innovative new hitting coaches. And indeed, the Giants massively overperformed their pessimistic 2020 projections almost to a man. Now, the 2021 ZiPS projections are out, and Ben examines whether or not the computer is buying into what the Giants were able to do in the small sample of 2020. As we'll see, the projections are buying into the improvements to an extent, but they're not necessarily all-in just yet. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick looks at the 2021 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants, which were released today on FanGraphs by Dan Szymborski. Ben talked at length last year about how projections systems were probably being overly pessimistic about the Giants, because of the team's commitment to platoons and the impact the new hitting coaches could make. Indeed, the Giants massively overperformed pessimistic 2020 projections almost across the board. Now, the 2021 ZiPS projections are out, and Ben examines whether or not the computer is buying into what the Giants were able to do in a small sample in 2020. As we'll see, the projections are slowly buying into the improvements, but they're not all-in just yet. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick answers questions from listeners about the San Francisco Giants. Among the questions asked and answered are: What are the chances the Giants sign a “big-time” free agent this offseason? Do you think the front office will target a high risk, high reward starting pitcher? Or more of a solid but more expensive starter? Thoughts on adding Yasiel Puig? Will new Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombroski attempt to move Bryce Harper? Could the Giants be a landing spot? With the pandemic still going on, is it a lock Buster Posey is even back this coming season? Will the Giants ever hit on a Rule 5 pick? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants taking right-handed pitcher Dedniel Núñez from the New York Mets in the Major League portion of Thursday morning's Rule 5 Draft. Núñez has a fastball with characteristics that the Giants like, particularly after he displayed a jump in velocity in the Fall Instructional League. Núñez will be added to the Giants' 40-man roster and must be on the major league roster all season or else they must offer him back to the Mets. No Giants prospects were selected in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 Draft. Ben also talks about the results of the All-MLB Team voting. Mike Yastrzemski was named a finalist in the outfield, along with nine peers. Three were to be selected as First Team All-MLB outfielders, and three more were to be selected as Second Team All-MLB outfielders. Did Yastrzemski make either cut? Was he a snub? Tune in for details and reaction. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants' announcement that they have extended invitations to four teams to be affiliates under a new agreement with Major League Baseball. Triple-A Sacramento and Double-A Richmond are set to remain affiliates, but the Giants plan to ditch their affiliation with Augusta Green Jackets in favor of a High-A affiliation with the Eugene Emeralds. San Jose would move from High-A to Low-A under the new agreement. The Giants also announced that they signed catcher Chadwick Tromp to a major league deal, and they signed several others to minor league pacts. Tromp was non-tendered by the Giants last Wednesday. Ben also talks about tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft, and about how Mike Yastrzemski is a finalist for the All-MLB Team, which will be revealed today. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants inking veteran right-handed reliever Matt Wisler to a one-year, $1.15M deal. Wisler is coming off a breakout season of sorts with the Twins, although he was non-tendered last Wednesday. Wisler rode a wipeout slider to a career-best strikeout rate and pristine ERA, but the Twins evidently didn't believe in the sustainability of Wisler's success and non-tendered him ahead of Wednesday's tender deadline. The Giants hope that the Twins' loss is their gain, as Wisler joins a bullpen that is short on experience, and figures to be one of Gabe Kapler's top right-handed options out of the 'pen. As the Winter Meetings roll on, the Giants are still seeking numerous starting pitchers, a versatile left-handed bat, and possibly more right-handed relief help as well, despite the addition of Wisler today. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the virtual 2020 Winter Meetings, which get started today and last all week. The San Francisco Giants enter the Winter Meetings with several items on their wish list, some of which they may seek to address this week. It was at last year's Winter Meetings that the Giants signed Kevin Gausman to a one-year, $9M deal, and they also made the Will Wilson trade. This year, what the the Giants' biggest needs? As Ben describes, it's clearly starting pitching, first and foremost. They also need a versatile left-handed hitter capable of playing third and second, someone who can platoon with Evan Longoria, whose struggles against righties are longstanding enough that it's time to limit his exposure against them. Right-handed veteran relief pitching is also a need, after Trevor Gott and Sam Coonrod failed to take on high leverage roles in 2020, a development that may have cost them a spot in the postseason. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks more about the fallout from Wednesday's non-tender deadline. Some notable non-tenders around the game were David Dahl, Archie Bradley, Kyle Schwarber, Eddie Rosario, Nomar Mazara, Carlos Rodón, and Matt Wisler. Among them, Dahl was probably the most surprising, and he actually fits one of the Giants' biggest needs. He's a young, left-handed-hitting outfielder who's capable of playing center. He has impressive tools, including power, speed, and an ability to play solid defense. He was a former first-round draft pick by the Rockies. The Giants will almost certainly be interested in signing Dahl, among with several other players who were non-tendered on Wednesday. The Winter Meetings kick off next week, in virtual fashion, and that may hopefully kickstart what has been a slow offseason around the league to date. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about what the San Francisco Giants did at last night's non-tender deadline. It was predicted to be a non-tender bloodbath across baseball, but it was mostly business as usual, outside of a few surprises. The Giants were among the majors' most active team, non-tendering five players off their 40-man roster, agreeing to one-year deals to avoid arbitration with six, and tendering contracts to two arbitration eligible players. Tyler Anderson, Daniel Robertson, Melvin Adon, Chadwick Tromp, and Rico Garcia were non-tender by the Giants. Donovan Solano and Reyes Moronta were tendered contracts but not yet signed, and the Giants reached one-year deals with Alex Dickerson, Darin Ruf, Austin Slater, Jarlin Garcia, Wandy Peralta, and Trevor Gott. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the decisions the Giants face ahead of tonight's non-tender deadline. The Giants have 10 players who are eligible for arbitration to whom them must decide whether or not to tender contracts. The players are: Donovan Solano, Alex Dickerson, Austin Slater, Darin Ruf, Tyler Anderson, Wandy Peralta, Jarlin Garcia, Reyes Moronta, Trevor Gott, and Daniel Robertson. Ben discusses the ins and outs of which players are the locks to be tendered contracts, which are borderline cases, and which are likely to be non-tendered. Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the upcoming non-tender deadline. Teams must decide whether to tender contracts to their arbitration-eligible players by Wednesday at 5 PM PT. The San Francisco Giants have 10 arbitration-eligible players. Under Farhan Zaidi, the Giants have either agreed to "pre-tender" contracts with their arb-eligible players, or they've non-tendered them. This year, the non-tender deadline may be the most important in baseball history. Teams claim to have lost a collective $3 billion this year due to having no fans in the stands, and that may lead to an unprecedented number of non-tenders. What happens tomorrow could shape the entire offseason, and could have a ripple effect for years to come. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick answers listeners' questions about the San Francisco Giants. Among the questions asked and answered on today's show are: Do you think the Giants will be in play for Blake Snell? He's signed through 2023 and has elite strikeout stuff. If they are in on Snell what pieces/prospects would you give up? Or do you think going after free agent options would be more beneficial for the rebuild? Two years ago, Marwin Gonzalez was a mid-tier free agent name who was the premier utility player on the market. Do you think he is the type of player who could possibly sign with the Giants to rebuild his value? His positional versatility is certainly a plus although his bat has declined playing in Minnesota. With Wilmer Flores and Donovan Solano being so similar at least defensively, trading one of them would seem to make sense to make a more balanced roster. Which one would be most likely to go and what kind of return would either get? What do you think about the KBO's Eric Jokisch as a target? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!  Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick continues to look at hitters on the MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 Free Agents list and talk about which are possible fits for the Giants—and which are not. Today he focuses on catcher Yadier Molina, infielder/outfielder Jurickson Profar, second baseman Cesar Hernandez, and first baseman Carlos Santana. Molina is a likely Hall of Famer and an all-time great leader, but is he a fit on team that has Buster Posey and Joey Bart? Profar has a lot going for him, but are his platoon splits and lack of great defense in the infield an issue? Is Hernandez one of the most boring players in baseball? Santana had a down year but still managed a great on-base percentage, and he's brimming with upside. Could the Giants fit another first baseman on the roster if the price is right? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick continues his look through MLB Trade Rumors' Top 50 Free Agents list, talking about which free agent hitters are fits for the San Francisco Giants—and which are not. On today's show, he explores free agents Nelson Cruz, Jackie Bradley Jr., Tommy La Stella, and Kolten Wong. Cruz is a total long shot, but could be an option if there's a DH in the NL in 2021. Bradley Jr. makes some sense as a platoon partner in center field with Mauricio Dubón. La Stella and Wong may be the strongest fits of all, as the Giants are searching for left-handed complements to their right-handed infielders Evan Longoria, Donovan Solano, and Wilmer Flores. Discover Ben's full thoughts by listening to today's show! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices