The SF Giants haven’t been as busy as in past offseasons, but they’ve been significantly more active in free agency compared to the San Diego Padres, who have yet to sign anyone to a major league contract this winter.
SF Giants division rivals have been oddly silent this offseason
The Giants have made notable moves this offseason, signing Willy Adames and Justin Verlander, while the Dodgers have been one of the most aggressive teams, securing seven players on major league deals, including veteran reliever Kirby Yates. The Rockies have also been active, signing three players, including Thairo Estrada, and the Diamondbacks made a splash by acquiring Corbin Burnes. Meanwhile, the Padres have fallen behind every other NL West team in terms of activity.
Surprisingly, the usually aggressive Padres have yet to sign a single free agent to a major league deal this winter. While they’ve been active in minor league free agency and made a Rule 5 draft pick, their lack of major league additions is striking. This inactivity seems to stem from intentional financial constraints, with rumors of internal turmoil among ownership contributing to a shrinking payroll.
In 2023, the Padres’ payroll was $291 million against the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), but it dropped significantly to $227 million last season. After allowing most of their free agents to walk and trading Juan Soto due to re-signing challenges, the team appears focused on cost-cutting. According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Padres’ projected payroll for 2025 is $246 million, already exceeding the $241 million CBT threshold without any offseason moves.
There are whispers that the Padres are considering further reducing payroll by trading some of their top players, with Dylan Cease and Luis Arráez among the rumored trade candidates. Despite these challenges, the Padres remain a talented team, coming off a 93-win season and a strong playoff performance against the Dodgers. However, their financial approach reflects a stark contrast to previous years. Still, team president A.J. Preller is known for his persistence and may yet find ways to improve the roster as the offseason progresses.
Beloved SF Giants broadcaster gives extremely relatable answer on Dodgers
The SF Giants’ offseason hasn’t been poor, but when compared to the Los Angeles Dodgers, it seems relatively quiet. Beloved Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper has openly expressed his frustration with the rival team from the south.
During an interview on KNBR, the Giants’ television play-by-play announcer made it clear that he has little interest in talking about the Dodgers, signaling just how tired he is of their dominance.
SF Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper is fed up with the Dodgers
Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper has made it abundantly clear that he’s had enough of the Dodgers. When asked about their blockbuster offseason—highlighted by the signings of Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, and Tanner Scott—Kuip quickly shifted the conversation. Instead, he praised the players recently inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame and added, “I don’t have to talk about the Dodgers. I mean, I’m sick of them, I really am. I haven’t even seen any of them—their broadcasters, their team—I’m sick of them, I really am. And I think I’m playing into their hands by talking about them, so I’m not.”
Kuip’s reaction resonates with many Giants fans. The Dodgers’ dominance, capped by their 2024 World Series win and a powerhouse offseason, has been tough to swallow. For fans, it feels like the rich just keep getting richer, making it tempting to adopt an “ignorance is bliss” approach to their rival’s success.
Some argue that the Giants should follow this mindset. Rather than trying to emulate the juggernaut the Dodgers have become, the Giants need to focus on steady improvement, building a strong foundation, and positioning themselves for postseason opportunities. Wild Card teams have proven they can make deep playoff runs, and with the talent on their roster, the Giants could realistically aim for 85 to 90 wins in 2025.
Nationally, even baseball fans outside the rivalry seem to be growing weary of the Dodgers’ spending. While some defend their aggressive approach as beneficial for the game, others view it as a quasi-monopoly that stifles competitive balance.
Despite Kuip’s understandable frustration, the Giants won’t be able to ignore the Dodgers for long. The two teams are set to face off 13 times in 2025, with their first matchup coming on June 13th. By then, perhaps the Giants will have hit their stride while the Dodgers face a potential World Series hangover. For now, though, Kuip’s sentiment echoes the exasperation of many Giants fans—just don’t make them talk about the Dodgers.
That might be wishful thinking, but until the season unfolds, we can take a page out of Kuip’s book and do our best to ignore the Dodgers. Focusing on the Giants’ progress and potential instead of the seemingly endless dominance of their rivals might be the best way to get through the offseason.
SF Giants should ignore, not emulate, the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have consistently been more talented than the SF Giants, a reality that has persisted for about a decade. While some might argue that the Giants should aim to emulate their Southern California rivals, the truth is that the only realistic approach for now is to simply ignore them.
This might seem counterintuitive, given that the Dodgers are the reigning 2024 World Series champions and the Giants face them 13 times each season. But ignoring them is actually straightforward. The Dodgers have built such a dominant “Evil Empire” that their success isn’t even a blueprint the Giants can aspire to replicate.
This offseason, the Dodgers have only widened the gap, further reinforcing their status as one of the most talented teams ever assembled. Through strategies like deferred contracts and other financial maneuvers, they’ve created a roster that seems almost untouchable. For the Giants, obsessing over the Dodgers’ empire is futile—it’s time to focus inward and pave their own path forward.
SF Giants must carve their own path for success
The Giants may not be on the Dodgers’ level, but they’re far from a small-market, underdog franchise. With one of the highest payrolls in the league, they’re still a serious contender. However, their path to success will look vastly different from the gilded road the Dodgers are traveling.
Realistically, the Dodgers are the heavy favorites to win the NL West unless something extraordinary happens, like a wave of injuries or a historic underperformance. That leaves the Giants competing with the Padres and Diamondbacks for second or third place in the division, aiming to secure one of the three Wild Card spots. This route isn’t just viable—it’s proven. The Diamondbacks rode the third Wild Card spot to the 2023 World Series, and the Mets made it to the NLCS as the third Wild Card in 2024, even giving the Dodgers a tougher fight than the Yankees managed in the World Series.
Let’s not forget the unpredictable nature of October baseball. The Dodgers themselves were pushed to the brink by the Padres in the 2024 NLDS, needing to win both Games 4 and 5 to advance. A few plays going the other way, and the Dodgers could’ve been sent packing early. The Giants, too, can be that team—a Wild Card squad that gets hot at the right time and takes down a juggernaut. After all, they’ve done it before, winning three titles in five years with a mix of timely contributions, solid fundamentals, and a little luck.
The blueprint for success already exists, and it’s embodied by Buster Posey, now the Giants’ president of baseball operations. Posey knows firsthand that big names and lofty predictions don’t guarantee championships. Teams that play mistake-free baseball, excel in the fundamentals, and get unexpected contributions—think Cody Ross or Marco Scutaro—can come out on top. Posey also understands that to attract big-name free agents, the Giants first need to put a winning product on the field.
Getting back to the postseason won’t be easy. The Giants are likely behind both the Padres and Diamondbacks in terms of talent, but an 85-win season and a near-miss at a Wild Card spot would still represent meaningful progress. Even breaking .500 would signal the start of something positive and set the stage for strategic additions heading into 2026.
Comparisons to the Dodgers can be frustrating, but they’re also counterproductive. The Giants are a different team with a different timeline. Attempting to match the Dodgers by throwing money at free agents misses the point. The Giants need to establish a strong foundation built on solid pitching, dependable defense, and a streaky-but-competitive offense. History shows that this formula can win championships—even multiple championships.
The road ahead won’t be without challenges. Other teams, like the Mets, are building their own empires. But the Giants have a clear path forward, even if it’s a long one. With steady improvement, a focus on fundamentals, and a little October magic, the Giants can create their own version of success. They don’t need to emulate the Dodgers—they just need to carve out their own identity. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to win it all.
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