Locked On Giants – Daily Podcast On The San Francisco Giants

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants signing pitchers Shun Yamaguchi and Scott Kazmir to minor league deals with invitations to spring training. Yamaguchi signed a two-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last offseason, and did not have a good 2020 season. Toronto cut him loose this winter, and the Giants picked him up on a minor league deal that will pay him the league minimum if he makes the major league roster. Yamaguchi was a star closer and starter in Japan, and could be used as a starter or reliever with the Giants if he makes the team. Kazmir is 37 years old and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2016, but he's still throwing in the low 90s and has always had a really good changeup. It's a no-risk move for a guy who still has potential. In Kazmir and Yamaguchi, the Giants have added two more pitchers capable of making starts. The Giants now go at least nine deep with intriguing arms to fill out the starting rotation. They're likely going to need that depth to cover 162 games, a year after pitchers' workloads were severely shortened due to the 60-game season. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about a number of hot topics related to the San Francisco Giants. Aaron Sanchez, whose one-year, $4M deal with incentives that could take it up with $6.5M was announced on Sunday, raved about the organization he's set to join. He said that he "heard nothing but great things, both [from an] organizational standpoint and a pitching and analytical standpoint." That last part, about the "analytical standpoint," should not be overlooked. Sanchez is the latest in a growing line of Giants pitchers and hitters who have praised the team's use of analytics. This is in stark contrast to many fans' and analysts' negative views of "analytics," despite that word being a blatant over-generalization used to describe something that is wide ranging and complex. Ben also discusses the Giants' decision to DFA Trevor Gott, and their signing of former Japanese ace Shun Yamaguchi to a minor league deal. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants signing right-handed pitchers Aaron Sanchez and Nick Tropeano. Sanchez was one of the more intriguing starting pitchers available this offseason, because of the stuff and success he had early in his career with the Blue Jays. Injuries held him back in recent years, however, and he missed all of 2020 after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2019. Sanchez seems to be healthy now, as just a few days ago he hit 98 mph in a bullpen session in front of scouts, which seemingly caused the Giants to pounce. Sanchez figures to round out the Giants' starting rotation, which is full of upside and risk. Fascinatingly, all five of the top projected starters are set to reach free agency at the end of the year. Nick Tropeano comes over on a minor league deal, but he reportedly has a good shot of making the opening day roster. He has experience as a starter, but his stuff played up in the bullpen last year for Pittsburgh. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the Giants' stated goal of adding more starting pitching depth. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi met with the media on Friday, and he said that the team is still looking at adding starting pitchers. Notably, he also mentioned that the position player group and bullpen mix are pretty much set. Ben discusses which free-agent starting pitchers remain unsigned, and talks about how the Giants could benefit from locking one of them up to a multi-year deal. He also talks about Zaidi's comment that a trade for an experienced starting pitcher is possible. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the fact that MLB and the MLBPA agreed to health and safety protocols this week, and spring training is set to begin on time next week. As part of the health and safety protocols, MLB will re-instate the extra-inning rule from last season, as well as seven-inning double headers. There will be a 162-game season, with no DH in the National League and no expanded postseason. Also on today's show, Ben answers the following questions from listeners: Would you care to expand on why we should buy into certain 60-game season stats (like offense) and why we shouldn’t for others? I think you’ve mentioned that the offense didn’t look flukey; what would a flukey offense look like? Who's the player you think is most likely to be traded or DFA'd on the current 40-man? Are there any prospects that have a legitimate chance of making the Opening Day roster? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest from Atlanta where they are getting ready to host an NBA All-Star game that players don't want and fans are confused over. LeBron James sends the Lakers into overtime against the Thunder. The Suns ended the Milwaukee Bucks win streak. Karl-Anthony Towns returned for the first time since contracting COVID-19. A 5-team trade in the WNBA. Are the Jets the most interesting NFL team this offseason? Plus, Can the Vikings pull off what the Buccaneers did? It's the Q of the day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants signing left-handed reliever Jake McGee to a two-year, $7M contract. The deal has not been announced by the club, but has been reported by multiple reputable sources. McGee was cut loose by the Rockies prior to the start of the 2020 season, but quickly signed on with the Dodgers, where he went on to have a huge rebound season for the eventual World Series champions. McGee's fastball regained its old dominant form, and he threw the pitch a whopping 97% of the time, the most frequently any pitcher threw any pitch in 2020. Third on that list was Matt Wisler with his slider, and the Giants signed Wisler to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. With the addition of McGee, the Giants continue to build quality depth throughout their 40-man and major league roster. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants' acquisition of LaMonte Wade Jr. in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. The Giants sent right-handed reliever Shaun Anderson to Minnesota to complete the swap. In Wade Jr., the Giants add an optionable young left-handed outfielder with athleticism and a rare combination of plate discipline and contact skills. It's an ideal foundation for the Giants' savvy hitting coaches to work with. Wade Jr. figures to surpass Steven Duggar on the Giants' outfield depth chart, and should compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Also discussed on today's show is the Dodgers' acquisition of ace right-hander Trevor Bauer, a move that, as Ben explains, doesn't change much for the San Francisco Giants. The 2021 PECOTA projections are also analyzed. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick answers listeners' questions about the state of the San Francisco Giants. Among the questions asked and answered are: You explain very well how Farhan's moves in SF have tracked similarly to the way he built LA and before. Curious what stands out to you as the biggest difference in how Farhan Zaidi has approached running the Dodgers vs. running the Giants? Other than Michael Conforto, whom the Mets are likely to re-sign, I don’t see a 2022 free-agent outfielder who is a comparable run producer to Marcell Ozuna. Why can’t the Giants make a play for him right now? He recently turned 30. A 3 or 4 yr deal would guarantee a big bat in the middle of future line-ups. Whats the advantage to having almost zero commitments vs. knocking out some signings early and still having a ton of room? Would Jonathan Villar be an ideal last position player? It seems as though Jackie Bradley Jr. wants more years than the giants would be willing to offer. Villar could could spell the infield spots, CF, switch hit, and become the speed threat for the team. And likely for reasonably cheap. You could ask 28 other teams this, but even now still perplexed by not signing Brad Hand for 1-2 years, since they could use bullpen stability and if needed flip him at the deadline, worst case eating a little of the contract. Almost makes me think collusion is still alive? Mauricio Dubon has put on muscle this offseason, possibly per team request (which wouldn’t be surprising). Do you think the Giants have faith in his ability to be the backup SS, and possibly everyday SS vs LHP, especially now with his improved conditioning? With new field dimensions/bullpens, was there any significant batting/fielding data in the short season? Also, will the Giants keep the batters eye wall higher or change the garden to keep a shorter center field wall which they originally planned? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about Donovan Solano, Alex Dickerson, and very likely Mike Yastrzemski being named among the top 10 players at their respective positions on MLB Network's Top 10 Right Now lists. Solano, Dickerson, and Yastrzemski were all Farhan Zaidi acquisitions at very little cost, and all three have been major bright spots for the Giants. Ben discusses why Zaidi's ability to identify talent bodes very well for the Giants' future, and how Giants fans are extremely lucky that the team is as active and committed to winning as they are, especially when compared to a lot of other teams around the league right now, including the Rockies, who just essentially paid the Cardinals to take star third baseman Nolan Arenado off their hands. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about which players remaining in the free agent pool fit the Giants, with reported targets Joc Pederson and Eddie Rosario signing one-year deals elsewhere. Ben also discusses the status of the league's "negotiations" with the players' union regarding rules and protocols for the 2021 season. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the Giants' reported interest in left-handed outfielder Joc Pederson. Even after adding Tommy La Stella on a three-year deal, which is not yet official, the Giants are reportedly still pursuing left-handed outfielders. It was reported over the weekend that the Giants were talking to Eddie Rosario and Jackie Bradley Jr., but Pederson may be the best of the three. He's from Palo Alto, California, and grew up a Giants fan, so there could be mutual interest. Adding him would make for a questionable defensive outfield against righties, but it would be an outfield that would surely mash. Additionally, it would force the Giants to make some tough roster decisions, potentially forcing them to cut or trade someone they think highly of, like Darin Ruf. Any acquisition will also force the Giants to remove someone from the 40-man roster. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francisco Giants reportedly being close to a three-year deal with veteran infielder Tommy La Stella. As a left-handed infielder capable of playing third and second, La Stella fits the Giants' roster perfectly. Evan Longoria probably needs to be platooned, so third base could be La Stella's primary position when there's a right-handed pitching on the mound. But it should benefit the Giants that La Stella can also play second base, where they have two right-handed options in Donovan Solano and Wilmer Flores. La Stella should also serve as insurance at first base, where Brandon Belt has a history of injuries, including heel surgery in 2020. If in fact La Stella is added on a three-year deal, it will be just the second multi-year deal handed out by Farhan Zaidi in three offseasons. La Stella is known for his elite contact skills, modest power, and ability to get on base at a high level, especially against right-handed pitchers. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick talks about the San Francsico Giants' interest in free-agent outfielders Eddie Rosario and Jackie Bradley Jr. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Sunday that the Giants were interested in the very different lefty outfielders. Rosario is a bat-first corner outfielder with a unique combination of skills, while Bradley Jr. is a defense-first center fielder whose main contributions come from his legs. Both would likely be platooned, facing mostly right-handed pitching. Ben talks about which would be a better fit, and if there are even better potential fits in free agency. He also opines that a lefty infielder may make more sense than a lefty outfielder. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's Locked On Giants podcast, host Ben Kaspick discusses USA Today's report that MLB has proposed implementing the universal DH again in 2021 in exchange for a 14-team playoff field. Ben breaks down why the league must reach a resolution soon, because teams and players need to know what to prepare for with the season fast approaching. Ben also provides his personal opinions on the universal DH—something he used to hate but has warmed up to in recent years—and an expanded postseason field. If there's going to be so much emphasis on the divisions, an expanded playoff field may be necessary for the sake of fairness, especially for a team like the Giants, who are in a division with what appear to be two superteams. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON,” and you’ll get 20% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices