Veteran SF Giants pitcher believes team could surprise people this season

The SF Giants may not be on the radar of many casual baseball fans going into the 2025 season, but several key players on the Giants are buying into what the teamis doing. One of these players is veteran pitcher Justin Verlander.

In a recent article by Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic (subscription required), he quotes Verlander speaking positively about the team: "I genuinely think that this team could sneak up on some people. The expectations…I don’t think they’re as high right now. And if you take a real objective look at things, from some guys we brought in, the maturity of some guys, the new health of some guys, they’re all big pieces. I think there’s a chance that we do something special.”

Justin Verlander believes SF Giants could surprise people in 2025

Of course, no player is going to say that a team has no chance in spring training, but Verlander is a veteran pitcher who has seen it all. His belief definitely carries more weight in the clubhouse and could rub off on other players. He knows what it takes to win a World Series, so if he sees something in this squad perhaps we should adjust our expectations accordingly.

On paper from a talent perspective, the Giants seem like they are on track for another mediocre season where they would win 80 to 85 games. However, if just a few things go their way they could be right in the mix for the National League Wild Card.

Verlander and shortstop Willy Adames were the two big additions the team made in the offseason. Both are veterans who bring positivity and leadership to the clubhouse and figure to make an impact both on and off the field.

Speaking of Adames, he too recently said he thinks the Giants could surprise some people this season. It is nice to hear the newest Giants believing in the team early on and bodes well for the 2025 season.

Verlander has embraced his role as a mentor to younger pitchers and Adames is already bonding with his new teammates which all gives off the feeling that team chemistry and morale is high ahead of Opening Day. As manager Bob Melvin mentioned at the start of camp, the fact that the Giants signed Adames and Verlander much earlier than last year when they signed Matt Chapman and Blake Snell late in the process has allowed the team to gel more which may allow them to hit the ground running rather than getting off to a slow start like they did last season.

If Verlander and Adames are buying into the program, that is going to have a trickle down effect in the clubhouse. Perhaps this team can adopt an "us against the world" mentality in 2025 as they try to prove everyone wrong.