Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

Are the Giants actually trolling us? Because nobody — media, fans, execs — seems to know what this front office is doing right now. They’re not spending big. They’re not landing top free agents. And now their name keeps popping up in Jeff Passan’s Top Trade Targets list like they’re lurking in the weeds waiting to strike. So what’s the plan? Is this disciplined team-building? Or a masterclass in frustrating fanbases? We dig into why San Francisco appears to be avoiding the deep end of free agency… why they’re sniffing around second-tier arms… and whether a massive trade could be the big swing they’re quietly building toward. Leave your thoughts: Are you OK with the Giants NOT adding a big bat this offseason? Or should they wake up and go get someone? 0:00 Giant troll job? 7:46 Plenty of pitchers out there 16:11 Adding to the lineup #SFGiants #FirstListen #Giants #sanfranciscogiants #sanfrancisco #baseball #mlb #tennesseebaseball #tonyvitello #freeagency #mlbfreeagency #mlbtraderumors #japanesebaseball #kbo #junghoolee #jtrealmuto #kyleschwarber Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. The NBA and NFL seasons are here, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Giants are interested in WHO now?! Today we break down the report that San Francisco has checked in on Kyle Schwarber — a 33-year-old, bat-first slugger projected for five years and $145 million — and what that says about their offensive identity and willingness to live with brutal defense for big left-handed power at Oracle Park. We’ll also dive into Susan Slusser’s note that the Giants have already spoken with Zac Gallen about a potential bounce-back deal (two years, $42 million), and how he fits into a rotation that just watched Cody Ponce sign a three-year, $30 million contract in Toronto after the Giants reportedly got priced out at “only” $10 million per year. Are they being smart and disciplined, or timid and late to the market? And if the Jays just replaced Bassitt and Scherzer with Cease and Ponce, does that reopen a lane for the Giants on other arms? We unpack the Schwarber fit, the Gallen risk, the Ponce miss, and what all of it says about whether this front office is truly serious about winning now.

Where do the Giants go next in the pitching market? Today we break down how Cody Ponce — once viewed as a bargain — is now expected to command a three-year deal north of $30–40 million, blowing past previous KBO return contracts. We look at Lucas Giolito’s projected rebound contract, the price tags for Merrill Kelly, Chris Bassitt, Dustin May, Michael Kopech, and Zack Littell, and what this means for a Giants team that keeps signaling they aren’t all-in for top-tier arms. We also touch on Bob Nightengale’s list of the top 10 trade candidates and where the Giants might fit into that landscape as they explore alternative paths to upgrade the rotation. The big question: if the Giants won’t spend big and the mid-tier market is inflating, what exactly is their plan? Are they being smartly cautious — or showing fans they’re not truly pushing to win? A full breakdown of the pitching options, the trade tier, and where the Giants actually stand this offseason.

The Giants are backing away from Tatsuya Imai — and the reasons stretch far beyond baseball. Today we break down the latest reporting from Andrew Baggarly that San Francisco is not inclined to spend at the level required to sign Imai or any of the top free-agent arms, despite meeting with Scott Boras and doing full medical homework. We go through why financial realities like Blake Snell’s deferred payments, managerial payouts, private-equity optics, and declining RSN revenue are pushing the Giants toward short-term, lower-cost pitching options instead of real frontline upgrades. We also dig into the long-running Posey–Boras tension, why the Giants haven’t landed a Japanese star in a decade, and why Buster Olney says SF is going cheap even as national outlets keep connecting Imai to the Giants. Plus, we take a hard look at top prospect Josuar Gonzalez — now being floated as a potential trade chip — and why fans should mentally prepare to lose one of the organization’s prized teenage shortstops if the Giants want to upgrade the rotation. Big episode today with spending philosophy, trade realities, and a frank look at how close — or far — the Giants are from joining the top tier of the league.

Could Freddy Peralta be the sneaky trade target for the Giants? Today we break down why Peralta was named by MLB executives as one of the top trade candidates of the entire winter — tied with Joe Ryan and Ketel Marte — and why his combination of swing-and-miss stuff, team-friendly contract, and playoff experience makes him a perfect fit for what San Francisco claims it wants to build. We look at what a Giants–Brewers trade package might realistically look like, including how a fast-rising Giants prospect (ranked No. 3 on Rotoprospects’ fast risers and No. 4 in the Giants system) could factor into the conversation. We also touch on the newest bullpen addition, lefty reliever Sam Hentges, and what his pitch mix and recent numbers suggest about his role under the Giants’ revamped pitching infrastructure. Big episode today: front-office intel, trade theory, prospect impact, bullpen updates, and what it all means for the Giants’ offseason plan.