[Giants]

Well, they hired an “outsider” today. And I don’t know that the hires were “ a level below”.   As for the rest of it - let’s see what the roster looks like on March 27.

By "a level below" I mean the Giants fired an individual and promoted someone from within, thereby moving them up a level.

Who's the outsider you're referring to?

Hadi Raad hired as Pro Scouting Director.  Was last in Pirates organization.  

Also named Oscar Bernard (was with Pads) as assistant hitting coach.

Interesting. Bernard was typically a low minors hitting coach, but was on Melvin's staff in 2023. He's bilingual. Had also worked with the Rangers and Cubs. Hadi Raad spent a lot of time with the Yankees and Mets, last two years with the Pirates and he was smart enough to get Joey Bart, who led the pirates with a .265/.337/.462/.799 line and 13 HRs and 45 RBIs in 253 ABs, basically half a season. Both good hires, in my opinion. Glad they're on board.

Question for Giants fans: would you trade Luciano, Whisenhunt, Roupp and Birdsong to the A's for Brent Rooker? Rooker had 30 HRs in 2023 and 39 home runs and 112 RBIs last year. He'll be 30 this year. His 2024 line was .293/.365/.562/.927. Silver Slugger, 10th in AL MVP voting. But he's really only a DH, can play LF reasonably well. Actually has some speed, stole 11 bases in 14 attempts.

Absolutely, not.  The only player in that group I would consider trading for Rooker is Luciano.  With Posey moving towards a focus on pitching/defense, SF needs to keep their young pitchers and avoid acquiring guys who can’t play effectively in the field.  The Giants learned a valuable lesson last year (and was fortunate to escape cleanly) when they signed Soler.  Avoid DH-types at all costs.

[Giants]

Well, they hired an “outsider” today. And I don’t know that the hires were “ a level below”.   As for the rest of it - let’s see what the roster looks like on March 27.

By "a level below" I mean the Giants fired an individual and promoted someone from within, thereby moving them up a level.

Who's the outsider you're referring to?

Hadi Raad hired as Pro Scouting Director.  Was last in Pirates organization.  

Also named Oscar Bernard (was with Pads) as assistant hitting coach.

Interesting. Bernard was typically a low minors hitting coach, but was on Melvin's staff in 2023. He's bilingual. Had also worked with the Rangers and Cubs. Hadi Raad spent a lot of time with the Yankees and Mets, last two years with the Pirates and he was smart enough to get Joey Bart, who led the pirates with a .265/.337/.462/.799 line and 13 HRs and 45 RBIs in 253 ABs, basically half a season. Both good hires, in my opinion. Glad they're on board.

Question for Giants fans: would you trade Luciano, Whisenhunt, Roupp and Birdsong to the A's for Brent Rooker? Rooker had 30 HRs in 2023 and 39 home runs and 112 RBIs last year. He'll be 30 this year. His 2024 line was .293/.365/.562/.927. Silver Slugger, 10th in AL MVP voting. But he's really only a DH, can play LF reasonably well. Actually has some speed, stole 11 bases in 14 attempts.

Absolutely, not.  The only player in that group I would consider trading for Rooker is Luciano.  With Posey moving towards a focus on pitching/defense, SF needs to keep their young pitchers and avoid acquiring guys who can’t play effectively in the field.  The Giants learned a valuable lesson last year (and was fortunate to escape cleanly) when they signed Soler.  Avoid DH-types at all costs.