What a World Series! Will we see the sport played in 2027? That’s too depressing to think about, or write about. Congrats to the Brewers!
Teams are not supposed to announce changes during the playoffs, but news may trickle out during travel days or between series. So far, the Giants have not appeared a single time in MLBTR – where minor league players deals, front office changes, player waivers, and the like get reported. Nor have they posted any player transactions in October.
Baggs did go talk to Buster Posey, and learned there are some changes with the pitching coaches. Frank Anderson, who came from Tennessee with Tony Vitello was called “director of major league pitching”, whose associated duties were never very clear to this simpleton. Justin Meccage held the title of pitching coach, and indeed he functioned as that, being the guy who made mound visits, etc. Christian Wonders held the title of assistant pitching coach, while Jesse Chavez was the freshly hired right out of an active MLB career bullpen coach.
Next year, it’s streamlined: Justin Meccage will be the pitching coach. Frank Anderson will be assistant pitching coach. Jesse Chavez remains bullpen coach. That all seems well defined and logical and orderly, let’s hope it works. Christian Wonders will “lead efforts to overhaul the pitching development” in the minors, as the organization tries to get all its drafted and traded for pitching to the big leagues.
Now, on to Massacre Day! As of 5 days after the World Series ends, teams must merge all their 60-day injured players into the initial 40-man roster of the winter. The Giants have an extraordinary number of players on the 60-day list, so many heads will roll. There’s only one free spot on the 40-man, as JT Brubaker becomes a free agent on Massacre Day. Normally there is a rough balance between FA and 60, say 4 or 5 of each, but this year there are some really tough decisions to make.
Here are the lists, w/o comment, since we will soon find out what happens.
starters (8): Seth Lonsway, Yunior Marte (L), Miguel Mendez, Anthony Molina, Cesar Perdomo (L), Landen Roupp, Logan Webb, Matt Wilkinson (L)
relievers (13): Tristan Beck, JT Brubaker, Duncan Davitt, Camilo Doval, Jason Foley, Trent Harris, Sam Hentges (L), Joel Kuhnel, Braxton Roxby, Reiver Sanmartin, Carson Seymour, Dylan Smith, Ryan Walker
catchers (3): Drew Cavanaugh, Andrew Knizner, Zach Morgan
infielders (8): Willy Adames, Osleivis Basabe, Bryce Eldridge, Nate Furman, Brett Harris, Christian Koss, Marcelo Mayer, Shay Whitcomb
outfielders (8): Scott Bandura, Victor Bericoto, Jonah Cox, Bo Davidson, Drew Gilbert, Turner Hill, Jung Hoo Lee, Grant McCray
60-day list: Harrison Bader, Hayden Birdsong, Jose Butto, Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, Matt Gage (L), Adrian Houser, Trevor McDonald, Joel Peguero, Jesus Rodriguez, Randy Rodriguez, Casey Schmitt, Daniel Susac, Blade Tidwell, Carson Whisenhunt (L), Rowan Wick, Keaton Winn (11 pitchers, 6 position)
Names in italics are eligible for salary arbitration, so keeping them is a bit more expensive. The deadline for offering arbitration is later on, but Massacre Day is the right time to let them go, if they aren’t going to be retained.
The picture today is Joel Peguero, who signed with the Rays out of the Dominican in 2015, and spent forever in the minors, passing through the Rockies, Nationals, and Tigers organizations. He joined the Giants minors in time for the 2025 season, impressed in camp, and finally was promoted to MLB in August, appearing 17 times. A decade is a long time! He appeared only 11 times in 2026, being sidelined much of the year with hamstring problems. Peguero is an example of just how tough the choices we will learn about on Massacre Day are. He throws more than 100 mph, with almost no service time would pitch cheaply, has 12 career walks balanced by 22 strikeouts, and a WHIP just under 1.1. I say keep him, but they don’t pay me the big decision making bucks.
