SF Giants: How good was the winter and did the team actually get better?

At long last, we have made it to the end of the winter. There’s only one thing that this means - Spring Training is coming and SF Giants baseball is right around the corner.

SF Giants: How good was the winter and did the team actually get better?

With the start of the season on the horizon, it is time to look back and reflect on the offseason that the San Francisco Giants had. After all, the whole point of the offseason is to improve. Safe to say, it’s been a rather interesting winter. So let’s take a look back and reflect on some of the moves that were made. 

The subtractions 

It was a given that Carlos Rodon would be hitting the open market with how good he was in 2022. What wasn’t a given is where exactly he would end up. For a moment, it even looked like there was a slim possibility that Rodon could remain a Giant. In the end, he signed a 6-year, $162 Million deal with New York Yankees in December, meaning the Giants will face Rodon in the opening series when they head to the Bronx from March 30 to April 2nd. 

In addition to that, the Giants also let long-time 1B Brandon Belt walk. Belt signed a 1-year, $9.3 Million deal with the Blue Jays this offseason. 

In the grand scheme of things, these two subtractions won’t be as major as other teams. Losing Rodon means that there won’t be a two-headed monster at the top of the rotation. Belt had been a steady presence at first base but was unable to stay healthy while also having a streak bat. His defense was always something that could be counted on. 

All things aside, losing just these two isn’t too bad. It doesn’t mean it is a good thing. But it could be much worse.