For more than a decade, Buster Posey was the heart and soul of the San Francisco Giants, a steady presence behind the plate who helped guide the franchise to three World Series titles. His leadership was never in question. His baseball acumen was beyond reproach.
Now, he’s taking on a new challenge—leading the Giants from the front office.
Just three years after his final game, Posey has transitioned from franchise cornerstone to president of baseball operations, stepping in after six seasons of roster churn and short-term gambles under Farhan Zaidi. The expectation? A new approach, one that prioritizes stability over constant reshuffling.
The reality? A Giants team that still faces a fundamental, unavoidable challenge—its own ballpark.
A Shift in Offensive Philosophy
Oracle Park has long been a pitcher’s paradise, suppressing power with its dense marine air and deep outfield gaps. The Giants, for years, leaned into the league-wide launch-angle revolution, trying to lift the ball more. But the numbers told a different story.
From 2019 to 2024, the Giants ranked 26th in average fly ball distance at home, trailing only Oakland, Detroit, Seattle, and Cleveland—not exactly offensive juggernauts.
Zaidi’s philosophy had merit—hitting the ball in the air can be productive—but it may not have been the right strategy for Oracle Park. Posey, whose own career thrived on line drives and making contact, is likely to steer the team in a different direction.
Jung Hoo Lee and Matt Chapman teaming up to put us on the board ☺️ pic.twitter.com/okANRScmOl
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 11, 2025
Expect an emphasis on bat-to-ball skills, early-count swings, and putting pressure on defenses, much like the approach used by teams such as the Cleveland Guardians.
That shift is needed. The Giants finished 17th in run scoring and 20th in batting average last season, struggling to generate consistent offense. The lone major lineup addition, Willy Adames, brings much-needed power (32 homers) and speed (21 steals), but one player alone won’t fix a bottom-tier lineup.
Tyler Fitzgerald shifts to second base, improving what was a major weak spot in 2024. However, depth remains an issue. If health isn’t on their side, this offense could once again find itself stuck in neutral.
Giants Projected 2025 Lineup
LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B
Willy Adames, SS
Jung Hoo Lee, CF
Matt Chapman, 3B
Heliot Ramos, LF
Patrick Bailey, C
Wilmer Flores, DH
Mike Yastrzemski, RF
Tyler Fitzgerald, 2B
Pitching: A Strength with Risks
The Giants were active in free agency, but they fell short in the biggest sweepstakes.
Roki Sasaki? Went elsewhere.
Corbin Burnes? Talks never got serious.
Blake Snell? Never a real priority.
Instead, Justin Verlander arrives at 42 years old, a former ace looking to recapture his form after a tough 2024 season. The move takes pressure off younger arms, but it comes with plenty of uncertainty.
Then there’s Robbie Ray, who will look to re-establish himself after Tommy John surgery sidelined him for nearly two full seasons. The Giants are betting that their pitcher-friendly home park can help both Verlander and Ray limit damage, particularly with their past struggles with home runs.
But beyond Logan Webb—the rotation’s rock, a true innings eater—this staff has a lot of medical files to sort through.
In the age of babying starters, Logan Webb’s a throwback to the days of +200 IP seasons
Obviously a soft-contact + groundball machine, he doesn’t get enough credit for the ability to attack quality hitters up in the zone w/a darn good four-seamer (6’9″ Extension, +34% Whiff) pic.twitter.com/jt8fSqsOce
— John Laghezza MLB / NFL Moving Averages (@JohnLaghezza) March 13, 2025
Jordan Hicks is continuing his transition from the bullpen to a starting role, but his workload remains a concern.
Kyle Harrison, once one of baseball’s most electric pitching prospects, saw his velocity dip in 2024. A bounce-back year is crucial.
Hayden Birdsong, a rising prospect with an electric curveball, could push for a role sooner rather than later.
Last year, the Giants threw the fewest rotation innings in the National League, even with Webb logging the most in the NL for the second straight season. If they’re going to be a serious contender, they need more durability from their starters.
Giants 2025 Projected Rotation
RHP Logan Webb
RHP Justin Verlander
LHP Robbie Ray
RHP Jordan Hicks
RHP Landen Roupp
The Bullpen: A Steady Presence
One area where the Giants feel more secure is the bullpen.
They finished sixth in FIP among all relief corps last season, and most of that unit returns. However, Taylor Rogers was traded to the Reds, breaking up the twin tandem with his brother, Tyler.
Ryan Walker, one of San Francisco’s most effective relievers in 2024, will be counted on to handle high-leverage situations. The hope is that young arms emerge to support a group that already has some established weapons.
What’s Next?
The Giants, under Posey’s leadership, are entering a transition phase. The days of endless roster turnover and bargain-bin additions appear to be over. The goal now is long-term success, built around a new offensive identity and a balanced pitching staff.
There are still questions to answer.
Will the offense take a step forward?
Can the rotation stay healthy?
Will Posey’s vision translate to the field?
The answers won’t come overnight. But for the first time in years, the Giants feel like a team with a clear direction.
And for Buster Posey, the next chapter is just beginning.
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