Buster Posey's hands have already been tied ahead of crucial SF Giants offseason

The SF Giants are entering a crucial offseason in which they have to improve their roster. However, it already seems like president of baseball operations Buster Posey's hands are tied and his ability to improve the team will be somewhat limited.

Posey has already tried to temper expectations about the prospect of the team signing a big free agent by emphasizing the need for the team to improve internally with the guys they already have. This will not get many fans excited after yet another season of mediocrity.

Posey's hands are tied as SF Giants embark on crucial offseason

Then there were the comments Giants chairman Greg Johnson made about the team's spending. His remarks on how the team intends to be very cautious when considering giving nine-figure contracts to pitchers which makes it seem unlikely that the Giants will pursue the top names on the market.

Posey's comments in response to Johnson's remarks are also very telling. At the GM meetings in Las Vegas, Posey spoke with Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area and was asked about Johnson's comments on spending and whether the team is thinking more about long-term or short-term deals for pitchers.

This is what Posey had to say: "So this is one part of the job that I'm not still sure what I can and can't say. So I'll plead the fifth a little bit on that and just say that we all have our thoughts and opinions, and there's examples of good and bad in all those scenarios. So I think you just have to keep an open mind.”

Obviously, Posey is not going to come out and publicly disagree with Johnson. However, his vague response does give the impression that there are some limitations that have been placed on spending. Maybe if the Giants could get an ace pitcher on a more affordable deal they would push to get it done especially since Posey is part of ownership and holds some sway there.

But the more likely reality seems to be that the giants are going to be playing in the medium or shallow end of the pool of the pitching market as they try to add depth going into next season.

Maybe these self-imposed restraints from Johnson will prove to be beneficial and the Giants will not make a big mistake by over-paying for a pitcher, but if we have learned anything in recent years it is that teams that spend big are often the ones competing for the World Series in October.

The Giants are clearly going to try to improve the roster and add pitching this offseason, but it really does seem like Posey is going to have to do it with one hand tied behind his back.