Giants Offense Struggles: Analyzing San Francisco’s Recent Challenges

The San Francisco Giants have built their reputation on pitching, but in 2025, the offense still lags behind. From struggles at the plate to the challenge of luring power hitters, the Giants face a dilemma that just won’t go away.

This post digs into what’s holding back one of MLB’s most storied franchises. We’ll look at key players, front office moves, and the uphill battle of playing in Oracle Park’s cold, dense air.

The Oracle Park Effect: A Hitter’s Nightmare

Oracle Park has a reputation as a graveyard for hitters, especially those who rely on home runs. The cold, heavy air and big outfield make it tough to hit balls out of the park.

This has been a big reason the Giants struggle to score runs year after year. Hitting here just isn’t easy, and everyone knows it.

Impact on Free-Agent Acquisitions

Top free-agent hitters often hesitate to sign with the Giants. Oracle Park’s reputation scares off sluggers who want to pad their numbers.

The front office has to get creative, turning to trades or doubling down on player development instead of landing big-name bats in free agency.

Trading for Rafael Devers: A Strategic Gamble

The Giants needed a real bat in the middle of their lineup, so they rolled the dice on Rafael Devers. He brings much-needed pop, but his big contract and shaky defense make this move divisive among fans.

Positional Adaptation for Devers

To help with his defensive issues, the Giants plan to rotate Devers between first base and DH. They’ll mix up defensive alignments based on pitching matchups, trying to keep his bat in the lineup as much as possible.

Bullpen Burdens: When Pitching Shoulders the Load

The bullpen, led by Camilo Doval and Ryan Walker, has been just okay at closing games this year. Relievers have felt extra pressure because the offense doesn’t give them much breathing room.

It’s tough to win when every game feels like a nail-biter and you’re scraping for runs.

Rising Stars and Potential Bullpen Boosts

Young pitcher Hayden Birdsong might join the bullpen if he can’t stick as a starter. His talent is obvious, but the team isn’t afraid to shake things up if the offense keeps sputtering and games stay close.

Criticism of Third-Base Coaching: Matt Williams Under the Microscope

Third-base coach Matt Williams has taken some heat for aggressive baserunning calls. Still, the team’s leadership stands by him.

Manager Bob Melvin says risk-taking is just part of baseball, and he doesn’t see a coaching change coming any time soon.

The Front Office’s Philosophy

Buster Posey and the rest of the front office prefer to fix problems by improving the roster, not by firing coaches. They believe long-term issues need thoughtful solutions, not knee-jerk reactions.

Concerns Over Long-Term Contracts

The Giants also have to worry about big-money signings like Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee. Both have faced criticism, but the team’s still betting on them to turn things around as the season goes on.

Jung Hoo Lee: Adjusting to MLB Life

Jung Hoo Lee’s slow start looks like a mix of bad luck and weak contact. Fans are getting restless, but the Giants haven’t lost faith yet.

Lee’s adjustment could be key to waking up the lineup. If he finds his groove, maybe the offense finally gets going.

Draft and Develop: The Path Forward

One area that could pay off long-term? Focus on player development through the draft. If the Giants start producing their own stars, they won’t have to depend so much on free agents or risky trades to fix their offense.

Unless the team figures out how to score more runs, their strong pitching won’t matter much. The 2025 season already looks tough for the Giants.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Giants Mailbagg: What happened to San Francisco’s offense?