Giants Talk: A San Francisco Giants Podcast

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic preview the Giants' pitching rotation ahead of Spring Training and how Justin Verlander will fit in with Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. Also, Cole and Alex discuss whether the Giants still plan on making other roster moves before heading to Arizona and if the Dodgers offseason could be a catalyst for change in the next CBA. 1:00 Roki Sasaki to Dodgers could be a ‘tipping point’ for outrage around MLB 14:00 Could this offseason be the catalyst for change in the next CBA? 22:00 Josuar de Jesus Gonzalez signs with Giants but still a few years away from playing in San Francisco 25:00 What to expect from the Giants rotation in 2025 38:00 Are Giants done with adding to roster heading into Spring Training?

On "Giants Talk," co-hosts Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper break down the news San Francisco is out of the running for Japanese pitcher Rōki Sasaki, discuss whether Justin Verlander should wear No. 35 after Brandon Crawford's recent retirement and answer a couple fan mailbag questions. :50 – Giants out on Rōki Sasaki 8:00 – Other international prospects: Josuar De Jesus Gonzales 12:45 – On Justin Verlander signing with the Giants and mentoring the young guys 16:20 – On Verlander’s health and why he feels he’s in a better place 18:20 – On Verlander possibly wearing No. 35 and talking to Brandon Crawford about it 27:00 – Verlander accidentally has wife Kate Upton’s name on his Zoom because she used it last 31:30 – Giants DFA Blake Sabol 35:30 - Ehire Adrianza retires 37:30 – Malibag Q’s

On this emergency episode of "Giants Talk," Alex Pavlovic and George Kontos break down San Francisco's reported one-year, $15 million contract with veteran ace Justin Verlander, why the deal made sense for president of baseball operations Buster Posey and who should be the fifth starting pitcher. Intro: 1:10 – Verlander always made sense to Alex as a one year deal 3:00 – Continues Buster’s trend trying to make the team “interesting” 4:10 – Breaking down why he got $15 million Kontos: 6:40 – Kontos on the signing of Verlander 8:00 – Has Kontos met Verlander? 8:40 – Why he made sense for the Giants right now 11:10 – On his fastball velocity and if he’ll need to adjust how he pitches 13:40 – Who’s Kontos’ favorite for the fifth starting pitching spot? 15:50 – Kontos on Willy Adames 16:50 – If Kontos could add one more player to the roster, who would it be? 18:00 – What it was like playing against Verlander in Game 1 in 2012

On this episode of "Giants Talk," Alex Pavlovic and Laura Britt discuss why MLB ace Corbin Burnes signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks is so disappointing, how San Francisco is one of the remaining teams still in the mix for Japanese pitcher Rōki Sasaki and other ways the team can upgrade its offense for the 2025 MLB season. 1:10 – Why Corbin Burnes signing with the Diamondbacks is so disappointing 4:35 – Options now that Burnes has signed 9:50 – How confident are you in Robbie Ray this season? 12:50 – Giants should focus on upgrading the offense now, would Pete Alonso be a good fit? 16:45 – Ha-Seong Kim and Alex Bregman as other solid options, Tyler Fitzgerald’s versatility 21:50 – Giants still in the mix for Rōki Sasaki 28:35 – Mailbag Q’s

Brothers Zack and Perry Minasian join Alex Pavlovic on "Giants Talk" to discuss how their upbringing prepared them for their roles as general managers of San Francisco and the Los Angeles Angels, respectively, who's the most competitive brother and what it's like making trades together. Intro: :45 – Recent signings: first basemen off the board / Paul Goldschmidt 7:15 – Giants happy with LaMonte Wade Jr at first but open to upgrading 10:15 – Pete Alonso discussion 13:35 – Potential free agent signings: Connor Joe, Mark Canha, Josh Bell, Justin Turner 18:40 – Walker Buehler, Joc Pederson, Sean Manaea signed 22:20 – Difference between if the Giants get Corbin Burnes or not: “if you’re a Giants fan you should probably feel better than you did 2 weeks ago” 25:30 – Farhan Zaidi’s interview, potential landing spots 29:00 – On getting recommendations for setting lineups 32:30 – Preview of Minasian brothers’ interview, background on their family Zack & Perry Minasian: 36:00 - On playing board games as kids 37:10 - Which brother is more competitive? 38:00 - On their brother that doesn't work in baseball 38:45 - What prepared them for these roles? 39:30 - How often do they talk? 40:20 - If Perry thought Zack had a chance at the GM position 42:00 - What trading together is like 43:40 - Is Perry watching the Giants more now?

Bob Melvin joins Alex Pavlovic on "Giants Talk" to discuss how he envisions the Giants' lineup, his expectations for Ryan Walker and Camilo Doval next season, and why he believes Kyle Harrison is "hungrier." Plus, Cole Kuiper and Alex break down the Giants' free-agent pursuit of Corbin Burnes and if they have a shot at 23-year-old Japanese superstar pitcher Rōki Sasaki. Intro: :40 – Will the Giants get Corbin Burnes? 3:55 – Reporting on if Burnes prefers a short-term deal and why Giants would prefer a longer-term deal 6:00 – Cole is over one-and-done deals but Alex likes them 8:15 – Options if the Giants don’t sign Burnes? 11:50 – Why Giants are a good spot for Rōki Sasaki? 16:00 – Kyle Tucker signs, what Giants would have had to give up to get him Bob Melvin: 21:30 - How it's been working with Buster Posey 22:45 - On his initial conversation with Posey 23:50 - Being empowered to run his department by Posey 24:45 - How he envisions the Giants' lineup 26:00 - On being more accountable 27:15 - Piecing together the Giants' lineup 28:45 - Expectations for Ryan Walker and Camilo Doval 30:45 - Upside of pitching group 32:00 - Why Kyle Harrison is "hungrier" 33:00 - Update on Marco Luciano 34:00 - Melvins' message getting ready for camp 35:00 - What Giants will play like in 2025

Willy Adames joins Alex Pavlovic on "Giants Talk" to discuss why he bought into Buster Posey and the Giants' vision for his future, his excitement to play alongside Matt Chapman and why he chose to wear #2. Intro: :55 - Willy Adames press conference break down 3:05 - How the Adames deal went down 3:50 - Kyle Tucker available 6:00 - First base and DH options 7:05 - Corbin Burnes speculation Willy Adames: 8:40 - Why he bought into Buster Posey and the Giants' vision 9:40 - On if the Giants made assurances that they will compete 10:20 - On the city of San Francisco 11:10 - How he celebrated after signing his contract 11:55 - If he’s spoked to Logan Webb or any other teammates yet 12:55 - On being a "connecter" teammate 13:45 - On hitting at Oracle 14:40 - His excitement for playing alongside Matt Chapman 15:10 - Why he chose to wear #2

Buster Posey joins Alex Pavlovic on "Giants Talk" from the MLB Winter Meetings to discuss the Willy Adames signing, why the Giants were out on Juan Soto's free agency and gives his thoughts on Rōki Sasaki. Intro: 1:00 – Roki Sasaki speculation 3:45 – Corbin Burnes speculation Buster Posey: 6:20 - Buster Posey on his experience so far at the MLB Winter Meetings 7:00 – When in the process Willy Adames became the guy for the Giants 7:45 – On speaking with Logan Webb and Adames as they build the roster 8:30 – Why they were out on Juan Soto 9:30 – On the pitching market 10:20 – On if they will meet with Rōki Sasaki 11:50 – On connecting back to the World Series years and players 13:15 – How does he anticipate using his former teammates? 14:45 – On understanding the importance of the team’s history and players 15:40 – Best and worst part of the new job

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down the league's reaction to the Giants' reported Willy Adames agreement, how it has brought clarity to San Francisco's infield, and discuss the latest updates on Jung Hoo Lee, Jordan Hicks and Camilo Doval. 1:00 – Reactions to reported Willy Adames signing 6:30 – Plan to introduce Adames this week 7:00 – Clarity on the in-field lineup 8:30 – Updates on Jung Hoo Lee, Camilo Doval, and Jordan Hicks 21:00 – Michael Conforto signs with the Dodgers 23:30 – Juan Soto signs record contract with the Mets 30:10 – Alex Cobb signs with the Tigers 33:30 – MLB Winter Meetings auction

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down the Giants' reported seven-year, $182 million contract with star shortstop Willy Adames and what this means for the rest of San Francisco's offseason plans. :45 – Giants reportedly agree to record contract with Willy Adames 4:30 – Details on contract 6:20 – Breaking down Buster Posey’s first deal, why getting it done before Juan Soto signs was important 9:00 – Any red flags about Adames? 12:00 – How good can Giants’ infield be? 17:00 – Are the Giants changing their perception with this deal? 19:00 – What do the rest of the Winter Meetings look like for the Giants? 23:00 – Do the Giants now have a “star player?” 27:00 – Buster establishing the Giants’ identity

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down Brandon Crawford's legacy in San Francisco after he announced his retirement, what Blake Snell signing with the Dodgers means and what Buster Posey should look to accomplish at the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. :45 – Discussing Brandon Crawford’s retirement and legacy with the Giants 7:15 – Alex and Cole's favorite Crawford moment 11:00 – Blake Snell signs with the Dodgers 18:30 – On the Dodgers’ deferred contracts, should more teams spend? 24:30 – What does Snell to LA mean for the Giants pursuit of a starting pitcher? 27:45 – Other recent MLB signings 30:45 – Rob Manfred and the “golden at-bat” rule 35:15 – What should Buster Posey look to accomplish at the Winter Meetings?

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic are joined by Duane Kuiper to discuss the Giants' possible outfield lineup next season, how the team can balance free agency with playing time for young players, and if Madison Bumgarner could return to San Francisco as an advisor. 1:00 – What Giants' outfield might look like for 2025 season 5:45 – Free agency vs. giving young players opportunities 8:00 – On having a different left-fielder every year since Barry Bonds 10:00 – Alyssa Nakken leaes 15:00 – Bobby Evans rejoins the team along with Jeff Berry 20:40 – Contracts tendered for LaMonte Wade Jr., Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers as Austin Warren re-signs 22:00 – Awards season review 23:30 – Carson Ragsdale and Carson Seymour are added to the 40-man roster 24:30 – Madison Bumgarner coming back to the Giants as an advisor? Duane Kuiper: 27:15 – Duane Kuiper on watching a World Series game with Mike Krukow 29:45 – On Buster Posey taking over as President of Baseball Operations 35:20 – Which positions the Giants need to fill this offseason 39:00 – On who he expects to play in the outfield next season 41:50 – Going on the Giants Hawaii trip

New San Francisco Giants general manager Zack Minasian sits down with Alex Pavlovic to discuss the team's identity and why his lifetime around baseball makes him a good fit for the position. Cole Kuiper and Alex also break down Randy Winn's new role with the team and answer fan's mailbag questions. Intro: 1:00 - Randy Winn named Vice President of Player Development 7:00 - Austin Slater signs with the Chicago White Sox 9:00 - Which Giants will be back after the non-tender deadline? 12:15 - Mailbag Q’s Zack Minasian: 22:10 - On becoming a new dad and GM 23:20 - What an interview with Buster Posey is like 24:15 - If the thought he had a chance at the job after Posey's press conference 25:30 - On scouting Posey when he was a player 27:00 - On the moment he got the GM job 27:45 - What moves he feels stand out in his career 29:00 - Why pitching and defense need to be the Giants' identity moving forward 31:00 - On confidence in Giants' current pitching, 32:45 - Tyler Fitzgerald maybe moving to 2nd and if they need to upgrade shortstop 33:30 - Breaking down the outfield situation 36:00 - On Luis Matos and Marco Luciano's development, expectations for next season 38:50 - On Randy Winn becoming VP of player development, how they plan on approaching player development 41:45 - His background growing up in MLB clubhouses, on the validation from getting the GM job 44:30 - Dynamic between him and his brother Perry, who's GM of the Angels 48:20 - On Tommy Lasorda being his godfather

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic discuss the Giants' possible infield lineup next season, including if free-agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim could make his way to San Francisco this offseason, along with other possible options this offseason 1:00 – Explaining what the GM meetings are for 2:50 – Uncertainty for the Giants' offseason 9:20 – Why so many former Giants are working together elsewhere 12:50 – Juan Soto watch begins 15:00 – Giants’ infielders breakdown 17:20 – Could Ha-Seong Kim sign with the Giants? 22:00 – Could Willy Adames sign with the Giants? 26:30 – Can Bryce Eldridge continue his “meteoric” rise? 31:35 – What does the future look like for Tyler Fitzgerald & Casey Schmitt? 34:00 – Around the MLB

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down why the Giants promoted Zack Minasian to be their general manager, share their reaction to Patrick Bailey and Matt Chapman winning NL Gold Gloves, and discuss if the bullpen is set after several relievers had breakout 2024 seasons. :45 – Why the Giants hired Zack Minasian as GM 10:00 – Comings and goings in San Francisco 25:50 – Bailey and Chapman win Gold Gloves 27:45 – On the Dodgers' celebration 30:15 – Biggest winners from the Dodgers' World Series win 35:30 – Will Soto be back with the Yankees? 37:45 – Breaking down the bullpen

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down the Giants' starting pitching options this offseason, if they believe Blake Snell will be back with the team and discuss the World Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. 1:00 – Takeaways from the World Series matchup 11:00 - Do the Giants need to just spend the money this offseason? 14:15 – Comparing the Giants use of bullpen games to the Dodgers this postseason 19:00 – On starting pitching and how they can improve next season 24:00 – Will Blake Snell be back? 28:30 – Pitching free agent options 34:40 – Where do the Giants stand with their young pitchers, are they ready? 36:00 – Will Jordan Hicks remain a starter? 37:45 – Predicting the Giants’ 2025 starting rotation 40:40 – Mailbag Q’s

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down how the Giants might handle arbitration-eligible players, this year’s World Series matchup, and what their future roster could look like. Cole and Alex also answer fan questions about the Giants’ offseason. :45 - J.P. Martinez promoted to be Giants' new pitching coach 6:15 - Unofficial embargo on news during the World Series 7:30 - How will Giants handle arbitration-eligible players Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers, LaMonte Wade, Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski? 21:00 - Breaking down the World Series matchup 25:30 - Discussing the players in the World Series the Giants missed out on 30:30 - What will the Giants’ future roster look like in a few years? And can the Giants sign Juan Soto this offseason?

Alex Pavlovic and Ahmed Fareed discuss the ongoing GM search, some intriguing candidates, David Bell's departure, the Patrick Corbin rumor, some free agent targets, and much more.

Giants GM Bobby Evans and Pirates beat reporter Adam Berry (who covered Mark Melancon for two years) join Alex Pavlovic on The Giants Insider Podcast to explain what type of person and player the Giants new closer is and how the team landed him in free agency.