Key dates for remainder of Giants¡¯ offseason
Maria Guardado
@mi_guardadoThis story was excerpted from Maria Guardado¡¯s Giants Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
Now that the calendar has flipped to the new year, it¡¯s time to start looking ahead to the end of the offseason and the beginning of a fresh campaign for the Giants.
San Francisco has been relatively quiet since signing shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract last month, but there are a few forthcoming events that could help spur more activity in the coming weeks.
Here¡¯s a quick guide to the final stretch of the Giants¡¯ offseason:
Jan. 9: Deadline to exchange arbitration figures
The Giants agreed to terms on a one-year deal with outfielder Mike Yastrzemski ($9.25 million) in November, but they¡¯ll still need to determine 2025 salaries for the rest of their arbitration-eligible players, including first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. and relievers Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers.
If the Giants and their arbitration-eligible players can¡¯t agree on a contract by Thursday, they¡¯ll exchange salary figures for a hearing in February, when a panel of arbiters will choose from the two salaries. Contract negotiations may continue throughout the process, until a ruling from the arbiters.
Jan. 15: 2025 international signing period opens
Top prospects from across the globe will be eligible to sign with big league clubs once the international signing period commences next week. All eyes will be on Japanese ace Roki Sasaki, who is ranked this year¡¯s top international prospect by MLB Pipeline. Sasaki¡¯s agent, Joel Wolfe, said 20 teams submitted presentations when the 23-year-old right-hander was posted last month, though he didn¡¯t specify which clubs have been granted in-person meetings thus far.
The Giants are among the seven teams that have reportedly met with Sasaki, joining the Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Rangers, Yankees and Padres. Wolfe said Sasaki planned to spend the holidays in Japan before returning stateside to either meet with more teams or begin narrowing the field of contenders. Sasaki isn¡¯t expected to sign immediately on Jan. 15, though he¡¯ll have to make a decision before his posting window expires on Jan. 23.
The Giants have a $5.1 million bonus pool for 2025 -- tied with the Dodgers for the lowest in the Majors -- though they¡¯ll be permitted to trade for more pool money beginning on Jan. 15. Check out MLB Pipeline¡¯s complete list of the Top 50 international prospects here.
Jan. 18: FanFest Tour, Stop 1
For the second consecutive year, the Giants will meet fans in their local communities via their FanFest Tour, which will feature four events across Northern California this year. The first stop will be held at Napa Yard, Oxbow Gardens, and feature third baseman Matt Chapman and closer Ryan Walker, who will be joined by other teammates and coaches from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT.
Jan. 21: Hall of Fame BBWAA voting results announced
Billy Wagner, Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltr¨¢n are among the candidates who are trending toward enshrinement, though they¡¯ll have to receive at least 75% of the vote from the Baseball Writers¡¯ Association of America electorate to secure their spot in Cooperstown. The 2025 ballot also features a couple of notable names who could get in on their first try, including Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia.
Jan. 25: FanFest Tour, Stop 2
Adames, along with right-hander Hayden Birdsong and others, is scheduled to appear at the second FanFest Tour event, which will take place at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose from 1-4 p.m. PT.
Feb. 1: FanFest Tour, Stop 3
The caravan will also roll through Sacramento, where right-hander Logan Webb, outfielder Heliot Ramos and infielder Tyler Fitzgerald are among those slated to meet with fans at Sutter Health Park, the home of the club¡¯s Triple-A affiliate River Cats, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT.
Feb. 11: Giants pitchers and catchers report
Spring Training will officially begin in mid-February for the Giants, who train at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Feb. 16: Giants position players report
San Francisco will hold its first full-squad workout on Feb. 17 before kicking off Cactus League action against the Rangers at 12:05 p.m. PT at Surprise Stadium on Feb. 22.
March 8: FanFest Tour, Stop 4
The Giants will conclude this year¡¯s tour with a final stop at Oracle Park, providing fans with access to often restricted ballpark locations, including the field, clubhouse, broadcast booth and dugouts. Giants alumni and broadcasters are expected to attend the event, along with current players who will ¡°pop in¡± from Scottsdale to interact with fans via a hologram booth at Oracle Park, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT.
March 27: Opening Day
After wrapping up their exhibition schedule, the Giants will head to Cincinnati for their 2025 regular-season opener against the Reds at 1:10 p.m. PT at Great American Ball Park.