Was 2025 SF Giants season a failure or a building block?

The SF Giants finished the season 81-81, their fourth straight season finishing between 79 and 81 wins. Was the season a building block or a failure? The answer appears to be mostly clear.

Was 2025 SF Giants season a failure or a building block?

This year was a failure on multiple levels for the Giants. Let's start with the long-term trend.

San Francisco won the NL West in 2021, but failed to replicate it in the seasons since then. They won 81 games in 2022, 79 games in 2023, 80 games in 2024, and 81 games in 2025.

That is, simply, unacceptable. The Giants have been at the doorstep of success for years, but have consistently underperformed and finished with average records. Just a few more wins, every year, and San Francisco would be in the postseason playing meaningful October baseball. Instead, year after year, Giants fans have to watch the Dodgers and Padres in the playoffs, while their own team sits at home.

However, something about this year feels especially dissapointing.

For one, the team made the biggest trade in franchise history, bringing in designated hitter Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox in June. Devers did make an immediate impact, hitting 20 home runs for the Giants and posting an .807 OPS in 90 games.

Plus, the team spent big money last offseason, particularly on two free agents. Willy Adames was signed to the largest contract in franchise history. While the shortstop got off to a slow start, he still posted 3.6 bWAR and finished with an OPS+ of 111. Plus, he became the first Giant since Barry Bonds to hit 30 home runs in a season.

They also brought in future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, who bounced back after a slow start to post a 3.85 ERA and 1.2 bWAR. Not his greatest of seasons, but he was a solid No. 3 starter behind all-stars Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.

And yet, the team again underperformed. In a year the Reds made the playoffs with 83 wins, the Giants could only muster up 81. This time, it led to fired manager, and a whole lot of questions going forward.

If the Giants do perform better in 2026, perhaps we will look back on this year as a building block that led to a Giantas dynasty. But until it happens, there is no other way to look back on this year besides what it was. A failure.