SAN FRANCISCO — In a becoming salutation to an offseason full of facet characters, subplots and, too usually, sorrow, it rained on the Giants’ parade Saturday.
Contained in the lounge behind dwelling plate, holding dry from a gentle stream of moisture that solely picked up all through the membership’s annual fan fest, Logan Webb mirrored on what had transpired since he was final right here with everybody.
The Giants had Arson Decide, then Aaron Decide, then no person in any respect, after which Carlos Correa, after which not him, both. However they didn’t come away with nothing, both. Among the many new faces followers met Saturday: outfielders Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto, starter Sean Manaea and relievers Luke Jackson and Taylor Rogers (however wait, doesn’t he look acquainted?).
“It was a bizarre offseason, to be sincere,” mentioned Webb, 26, who, within the absence of Decide or Correa, grew to become the largest draw for followers, together with stalwart shortstop Brandon Crawford, coming into his thirteenth season and within the remaining 12 months of his contract.
The Giants estimated 10,000-12,000 followers handed by way of the turnstiles, or about half to one-third of the same old attendance throughout their World Sequence runs final decade. Whereas these groups featured undisputed stars — Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey, to call a couple of — Crawford is the final remaining participant from these golf equipment.
Rapidly cementing himself because the Giants’ newest homegrown face of the franchise, Webb isn’t deterred by the prevailing narrative of relative anonymity up-and-down their roster.
“I believe we’ll be a little bit underrated for certain,” Webb mentioned. “I simply assume we don’t have the massive title, essentially. However I believe general high to backside, we’ve received a ton of depth.”
And really, he takes that again.
“Regardless that I mentioned we don’t have large names, we do type of have large names,” Webb mentioned. “I believe Brandon Crawford is a fairly large title. Joc Pederson’s very well-known round baseball. I do assume we do have some large names. Perhaps not Arson Decide or a few of these guys, however I believe when you've got a bunch of depth guys that simply all wish to be on the identical web page and win, I believe you are able to do something.”
And sure, he did say “Arson” Decide, which brings us again to the primary a part of Webb’s bizarre offseason.
Main as much as these fateful 5 minutes when it appeared the Giants had reeled within the large one, Webb mentioned he had been texting forwards and backwards with Joc Pederson — “my inside supply for every little thing” — for every week about the opportunity of Decide signing with San Francisco.
Additional proof of his rising stature within the group, Webb was considered one of two gamers — together with Crawford — to fulfill with Decide throughout his go to to the town earlier than Thanksgiving. Solely a pair weeks later, Webb was firing off a reply to New York Publish/MLB Community insider Jon Heyman, who falsely reported Decide’s verdict: “Not cool, man,” Webb wrote again in a tweet that garnered greater than 10,000 likes.
As for Correa, “I do know the fellows within the clubhouse had been all excited,” Webb mentioned. “Generally bizarre stuff occurs. …
“I want him nothing however one of the best. He’s a superb man and I’m joyful I received to know him and discuss to him a little bit bit. I’ll most likely maintain that friendship for a very long time, the identical with Aaron.”
Whereas Webb declined to share extra particulars of the assembly with Decide, he paused to assume, looking for the fitting phrase to explain the emotions of the contributors after in the end being spurned.
“I don’t actually know the fitting phrase,” Webb mentioned. “Perhaps butthurt a little bit bit. …
“I personally thought we had a reasonably good shot. However that’s simply how issues go.”
Webb took time to collect his phrases again in December, too. Sufficient time for Heyman to retract the report, and for Webb to keep away from one embarrassing textual content message to Buster Posey, infamous for his lack of success recruiting big-time free brokers.
“When it occurred, I virtually texted Buster to say I’m 1-and-0,” Webb mentioned. “Thank God I didn’t textual content him. … Hopefully my file will get higher.”
Notable
— The Giants finalized their signing of catcher Roberto Perez. Whereas the veteran backstop will likely be in camp on a minor-league deal as a non-roster invitee, he can earn a $2.5 million base wage and as much as a further $1.5 million in efficiency bonuses if he makes the roster. Perez, 34, is a two-time Gold Glove-winner and can compete in camp with Joey Bart, Austin Wynns and Blake Sabol for 2 catching spots.
— Hunter Pence, who was inducted to the Wall of Fame final season, will serve in an official capability with the membership throughout spring coaching. “I believe Hunter’s going to be an important mentor to a few of our youthful gamers,” supervisor Gabe Kapler mentioned, saying the transfer reside on KNBR throughout fan fest. “His psychological expertise recreation is off the charts.” Whereas Pence’s official position has but to be decided, “he’ll be round and serving to out a little bit bit,” Kapler mentioned. Final season, Pence offered colour commentary for Apple TV+ and a few NBC Sports activities Bay Space telecasts. So far as, Buster Posey, now a part-owner, “nothing in stone up to now,” Kapler mentioned by way of textual content.
— On a grey day, Luis González‘s new hair was among the many brightest sights within the constructing. Now bleached blond, González mentioned he plans to play for Crew Mexico in the course of the World Baseball Traditional, which takes place throughout spring coaching. Different Giants who've dedicated to take part embrace Webb (Crew USA) and Joc Pederson (Israel), although Webb declined to reply questions in regards to the WBC. Camilo Doval (Dominican Republic) can also be anticipated to pitch, although it has not been made official.
— Numbers recreation: Sean Manaea will put on No. 52, which he mentioned took some getting used to signing his first batch of autographs for followers. Fellow free-agent additions Taylor Rogers (No. 33), Luke Jackson (No. 77), Mitch Haniger (No. 17) and Michael Conforto (No. 8) additionally debuted their jersey numbers. And David Villar is switching issues up this season, from No. 70 to No. 32, Jason Vosler’s previous quantity. As soon as Vosler was reduce, Villar was supplied No. 32, which he had worn all through the minors. After being known as up final season, he was given No. 70, which he known as an “offensive lineman’s quantity.”
