Giants Talk: A San Francisco Giants Podcast

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 Development7:00 - Austin Slater signs with the Chicago White Sox9:00 - Which Giants will be back after the non-tender deadline?12:15 - Mailbag Q’sZack Minasian:22:10 - On becoming a new dad and GM23:20 - What an interview with Buster Posey is like24:15 - If the thought he had a chance at the job after Posey's press conference25:30 - On scouting  Posey when he was a player27:00 - On the moment he got the GM job27:45 - What moves he feels stand out in his career29:00 - Why pitching and defense need to be the Giants' identity moving forward31:00 - On confidence in Giants' current pitching,32:45 - Tyler Fitzgerald maybe moving to 2nd and if they need to upgrade shortstop33:30 - Breaking down the outfield situation36:00 - On Luis Matos and Marco Luciano's development, expectations for next season38:50 - On Randy Winn becoming VP of player development, how they plan on approaching player development41:45 - His background growing up in MLB clubhouses, on the validation from getting the GM job44:30 - Dynamic between him and his brother Perry, who's GM of the Angels48:20 - 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 for2:50 – Uncertainty for the Giants' offseason9:20 – Why so many former Giants are working together elsewhere12:50 – Juan Soto watch begins15:00 – Giants’ infielders breakdown17:20 – 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 GM10:00 – Comings and goings in San Francisco25:50 – Bailey and Chapman win Gold Gloves27:45 – On the Dodgers' celebration30:15 – Biggest winners from the Dodgers' World Series win35:30 – 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 matchup11:00 - Do the Giants need to just spend the money this offseason?14:15 – Comparing the Giants use of bullpen games to the Dodgers this postseason19:00 – On starting pitching and how they can improve next season24:00 – Will Blake Snell be back?28:30 – Pitching free agent options34:40 – 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 rotation40:40 – 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 coach6:15 - Unofficial embargo on news during the World Series7:30 - How will Giants handle arbitration-eligible players Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers, LaMonte Wade, Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski?21:00 - Breaking down the World Series matchup25:30 - Discussing the players in the World Series the Giants missed out on30:30 - What will the Giants’ future roster look like in a few years? And can the Giants sign Juan Soto this offseason?

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down what new president of baseball operations Buster Posey will seek in potential GM candidates and answer fan questions about the Giants’ offseason. Cole and Alex also discuss the MLB playoffs and make their World Series predictions.1:00 Breaking down NLCS, ALCS matchups15:00 World Series predictions16:30 Potential Giants GM candidates29:30 Are the Giants done with 'heavy lifting' after Matt Chapman deal?40:00 What does future look like for Marco Luciano, Tyler Fitzgerald, Brett Wisely?

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper look back at the 2024 season and analyze the Giants’ biggest surprises, disappointments and front-office mistakes that resulted in an 80-82 record. They also discuss new president of baseball operations Buster Posey’s potential impact on top prospects such as Bryce Eldridge and Marco Luciano.3:00 Biggest surprises of 2024 season7:00 Biggest disappointment13:00 Breakthrough performance24:00 Biggest front-office mistake

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper assess Farhan Zaidi’s tenure and look forward to how Buster Posey’s leadership style will translate to his new role. Also, Alex catches up with Posey and Giants chairman Greg Johnson to discuss the search for San Francisco's next general manager and how Buster’s perspective as a player will benefit him in his new job.8:00 Assessing Farhan's tenure26:00 Examing Posey's leadership style33:00 Buster Posey shares 'excitement' of new role37:45 Posey on GM search41:30 Greg Johnson on Posey's readiness for new role

Alex Pavlovic and George Kontos discuss what led to the Giants' decision to part ways with Farhan Zaidi, the surprising announcement of Buster Posey as his replacement, and what changes should be made for San Francisco to regain a winning culture.1:10 Posey named Giants' president of baseball operations3:00 How Posey can bring winning culture back to San Francisco10:05 Can Posey be a successful player recruiter?12:45 What led to Giants' decision to part ways with Zaidi

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper analyze what we should take away from Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi’s discussion with the media this week in Arizona. Also, Alex and Cole examine the Giants’ recent positive vibes, Grant McCray’s concerning strikeout rate and how Bryce Eldridge’s rise could impact the team’s free agency approach.1:00 Giants playing well now that pressure is off7:30 Grant McCray's concerning strikeout rate12:30 Takeaways from Farhan Zaidi's discussion with media20:00 How Bryce Eldridge could impact Giants free agency approach32:00 Previewing the Giants-Cardinals series

Alex Pavlovic chats with Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge to discuss his fast-tracked MLB journey and learning to play first base. Also, Cole Kuiper and Alex analyze Marco Luciano’s tough season and why San Francisco shouldn’t give up on him yet.5:30 Giants two biggest mistakes in handling Luciano10:00 Comparing Luciano's development to Heliot Ramos22:30 Can Matt Chapman get to 30 homers?25:30 Discussing Shohei Ohtani's historic season38:00 Eldridge discusses Triple-A promotion48:15 Eldridge shares biggest adjustment to playing first base

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic discuss Farhan Zaidi’s future with the Giants and detail the organizational implications if they decide to move. Cole and Alex also analyze if Bob Melvin should be on the heat seat, and why Marco Luciano’s position will be one of San Francisco's biggest offseason questions to answer.2:30 Discussing Farhan's future with Giants10:30 Is Bob Melvin on the hot seat?20:30 Why Marco Luciano will be one of the biggest offseason questions28:00 How both Giants, Orioles screwed up potential Blake Snell trade36:45 Looking around MLB

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down Bryce Eldridge’s promotion to Triple-A and when he could potentially make the jump to San Francisco. Also, Cole and Alex examine Buster Posey’s reported involvement in Matt Champan’s contract extension and if it signals anything about Farhan Zaidi’s future.1:00 Bryce Eldridge to Triple-A8:30 Buster Posey takes lead in Matt Chapman negotiations12:30 Does Posey's increased involvement signal anything about Farhan Zaidi's future?21:00 Discussing Heliot Ramos' splash hit

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper examine how Mike Yastrzemski fits into the Giants’ future outfield plans, what to look for the rest of the season and speculate on the future of the “creamsicle” City Connect uniforms. Also, Alex sits down with analyst George Kontos to dissect Blake Snell’s second-half stats, and what Hayden Birdsong needs to do to take the next step.3:00 Discussing the future of the "creamsicle" City Connect uniforms14:00 How Yaz fits into the Giants19:30 What to look for rest of MLB season27:30 Kontos breaks down Snell's dominant second half30:00 Kontos details how Birdsong can take next step

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper discuss the dugout incident between Tyler Fitzgerald and Marco Luciano, Grant McCray’s future in the Giants' outfield and when top prospect Bryce Eldridge might reach the big leagues. Alex also sits down with Shawn Estes to break down what he has seen from Kyle Harrison, Camilo Doval and Ryan Walker.2:00 Analyzing the Fitzgerald-Luciano incident6:00 Why the Giants haven’t moved Luciano to the outfield yet7:30 Where does McCray fit into the Giants’ 2025 outfield plans?15:30 When fans can hope to see Eldridge in San Francisco25:00 Estes shares what he has seen from Harrison29:00 Estes discusses how Giants should handle Doval, Walker

Cole Kuiper and Alex Pavlovic break down Matt Chapman’s six-year, $151 million contract extension with the Giants and the core of players San Francisco will be able to build around. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and Chapman's agent, Scott Boras, then chat with Alex to share how the deal came together.2:30 Why Giants had to get a deal done with Matt Chapman5:00 Importance of Chapman's clubhouse presence8:15 Analyzing Giants' core for future13:30 Does Chapman signing indicate anything about Farhan or Bob Melvin's future?15:00 Zaidi details how Chapman deal impacts Giants' short and long-term plans21:00 Boras shares how Chapman deal got done

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper discuss they want to see from the Giants in September as San Francisco's playoff hopes dwindle, when fans can expect to see Marco Luciano and Luis Matos back up in the majors and why fans should keep an eye on Bryce Eldridge.(1:20) Giants drop series to Marlins(8:10) How Giants should approach September(16:01) Estrada sent to Triple A(22:02) Luciano, Matos remain in Sacramento(28:30) When will Eldridge make his MLB debut?(35:20) Previewing the upcoming Diamondbacks series

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper are joined by Duane Kuiper to discuss the Giants’ need for improvement, how the team can get better offensively and what the future holds for Matt Chapman. Plus, Alex and Cole break down the importance of the upcoming series against the Marlins and the Giants recent roster moves.(1:20) Giants drop series to Brewers (9:10) Rogers, Estrada placed on waivers (15:01) Marlins series preview(23:02) Kuip breaks down the offensive struggles (29:30) Kuip on who could return next season (35:20) Kuip analyzes Chapman’s stellar defense

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper break down the Giants’ series loss in Seattle, why the starting rotation now is a major concern after Robbie Ray suffered a hamstring injury and who is next in line to fill his spot. Then, the guys turn their attention to Camilo Doval’s return to the bullpen and wrap the podcast previewing the upcoming series against the Brewers.(1:10) Giants drop series in Seattle(7:50) Doval returns to Giants bullpen(11:01) Potential fill-in for Ray(19:32) Is Walker the closer of the future?(27:10) Examining Melvin’s first season in San Francisco(33:01) Previewing the upcoming Brewers series

Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper break down the Giants' failure to sweep the White Sox, why trading Joey Bart will haunt San Francisco moving forward and when fans can expect Camilo Doval's return. Plus, should the Giants sign Brandon Crawford after his release from St. Louis?(1:10) Giants disappoint in series vs. White Sox(7:50) Analyzing Giants' bullpen usage(11:01) Do the Giants regret trading Bart?(19:32) Should the Giants sign Crawford?(25:00) Previewing the upcoming schedule(31:01) When will Doval return?