San Francisco Giants’ Success Could Be Short-Lived Due to Depth Issues, MLB Executives Warn
Despite their strong start to the 2025 season, the San Francisco Giants still have some convincing to do, with league executives expressing doubts about the sustainability of their performance.
The Giants have been one of the most unexpected success stories in baseball this season, staying competitive in the National League West against heavyweights like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. With a 25-18 record as of May 14, San Francisco remains firmly in the hunt. However, many executives believe the team’s hot streak won’t last.
A recent poll of MLB front office personnel, conducted by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, revealed that 14 out of 17 executives think the Giants will finish the season in third or fourth place in the NL West—nine votes for third and five for fourth. The primary concern is their lack of depth compared to the Dodgers and Padres, which many believe will ultimately hurt them over the long season.
“Over the course of six months, the depth of the Dodgers and Padres will be too much for the Giants to keep up with,” said one NL executive. “The Giants and Diamondbacks will remain in the playoff mix, but I don’t see them challenging the top two teams in the division.”
The Arizona Diamondbacks, just three games behind the Giants with a 22-21 record, are also considered a threat. With significant offseason acquisitions like ace Corbin Burnes and first baseman Josh Naylor, Arizona is expected to close the gap.
Several executives who believe the Giants will fall short cite the unlikeliness of their early success continuing through a long season. “Walk-off Little League home runs aren’t sustainable,” an AL executive remarked, referencing a dramatic win by the Giants over the Texas Rangers in late April. “Are they?”
If the Giants are to continue surprising the league, they will need more consistent offensive production. Their major free-agent signing, Willy Adames, is starting to show signs of improvement, and if key players like Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman, Heliot Ramos, Wilmer Flores, and Tyler Fitzgerald (when healthy) can perform at a high level, San Francisco could still stay in the divisional race.
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