What are the SF Giants three biggest positional needs this offseason?

As the SF Giants try to improve their roster for a postseason run in 2024, what are the three biggest question marks heading into the offseason?

The SF Giants organization needs to take a big step forward in what is arguably MLB’s most competitive division, the National League West. After firing manager Gabe Kapler and hiring Bob Melvin away from the Padres, the pressure is on president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi to make marked improvements to the big-league roster this offseason. As he gears up for free agency, here are the three positions that seem like the biggest question marks.

SF Giants SP Alex Cobb pitches against the Guardians at Oracle Park. (2023) / Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Starting Pitcher

Starting pitchers are the lifeblood of any competent organization, and competent organizations do whatever they can to acquire as many starting pitchers as possible via drafts, signings, and trades. The adage “you can’t have enough starting pitching” doesn't exist for no reason. Possessing pitching depth isn't just valuable because of what pitchers can contribute to your team, but also because competent starting pitchers are always in demand on the trade market.

When looking at the Giants in the near future, the starting rotation depth is filled with depth, but limited proven options. Logan Webb and Alex Cobb were good, but two of the only three pitchers on the 2023 Giants pitching staff to log at least 100 innings. They were also the only two who made at least 20 starts. The 90 games in which a Giants pitcher threw at least 80 pitches during the 2023 season was the lowest in MLB and they were the only team below 100. Even in the current era of baseball where the starter’s importance and presence have been greatly diminished, the Giants rotation is nowhere near the bare minimum required to be a postseason team on a sustainable basis.

Kyle Harrison is probably the most interesting option for this ball club to slot into the starting rotation. Despite a rough start to his MLB career, likely because the front office pushed him to the majors while he was still working on a pitch limit, the left-handed starter showed huge flashes of promise.

25-year-old Keaton Winn and 27-year-old Tristan Beck are the other options out of the young pitchers who made brief cameos with San Francisco. Sean Manaea, who closed out the season with three straight solid starts, could be an option too. There are much slimmer chances to get great use from returning veterans Anthony DeSclafani and Ross Stripling because they both have a bit of injury history. And the Giants will now have to contend with an injured Alex Cobb at the beginning of the season. With these realities, it's apparent that the Giants will need to look at who is available this offseason to bolster starting pitching beyond their roster.

SF Giants SS Marco Luciano fields a grounder in the 6th inning at Oracle Park. (2023) / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Shortstop

With Bay Area native and lifelong Giant Brandon Crawford potentially preparing to ride off in the sunset after 13 seasons as the team's primary shortstop, a viable replacement is needed. It's long been understood that a competency at shortstop can be make or break for a team's infield success. And in Crawford, the Giants had more than a decade of incredible competency, leadership, and showmanship that kept fans excited.

One of the Giants' top prospects, shortstop Marco Luciano, who got a chance to show his stuff for a few weeks in 2023, is certain to be the team's frontline contender to take over for Crawford. His power at the plate is expected to surpass Crawford's, and for the Giants, this could not be more welcome.

Aside from Luciano, when Crawford battled injury and took rest days in 2023, the Giants employed a revolving door of young infielders between second, shortstop and third base. As a result, the team doesn't have much well-trained true depth at the position. 

Casey Schmitt, who is a traditional third baseman, spent 42 games at shortstop in the last season, the most out of any position he played in 2023, and could be an option. Tyler Fitzgerald could round out internal candidates, but seems to be better suited for a superutility role. Again, it seems clear that if Luciano is not ready for the majors in 2024, the Giants will need a viable option from the open market to start the season at shortstop.

SF Giants RF Mike Yastrzemski secures an RBI against the San Diego Padres (2023) / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Corner Outfielder

Anyone who's followed the Giants for the last few decades knows that the team has not started the same player in left field on Opening Day since Barry Bonds' last year as a player, in 2007. The revolving door of talent is a fun story, and it can be a joy to guess who might take the field each year, but it seems like time for the organization to prioritize a long-term solution that players and fans alike can get used to.

In 2023, the Giants did a lot of experimentation in the outfield. When Mitch Haniger went down with a broken arm at the beginning of the season, they put designated hitters like Joc Pederson and Blake Sabol in the mix, and it became clear very quickly that their lack of speed and familiarity with the terrain would be a liability for the team.

Their depth from traditional outfielders didn't fare much more strongly, with Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski, and Austin Slater battled hitting slumps and injury all year. For the team to be successful, especially given it plays 81 games in the supremely tricky Oracle Park conditions, it needs a consistent and healthy outfield. Yastrzemski, who becomes a free agent in 2026, and Slater in 2025, need to be strongholds for the team to be successful. Luis Matos, who volleyed between Triple-A and the majors in 2023 could be the perfect athletic option to round out the trio if he can improve this offseason.

But this position is yet another that could use a little digging for an upgrade this offseason. The SF Giants' organization has always prided itself on training its true outfielders to be prepared to play any position, but with the physical toll that outfield can take, the more depth, the better.