Entering the 2026 MLB season, the San Francisco Giants made a move to change their dugout mindset. The Giants' front office went out and got Tony Vitello, who previously was head coach of the University of Tennessee's baseball program, to bring a new perspective to the ballclub.

But the Giants also needed to make some adjustments to their on-field roster. The team went out and signed a couple of pitchers. Yet San Francisco has not gotten any new bats for the lineup.

This season, the ballclub desperately wants to be in the conversation for a National League West Division title. San Francisco knows that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the "big brother" of the division.

Still, the Giants have work to do. What they are doing, though, might send some people to scratch their heads.

Just what are the Giants doing? That's pretty much the question being answered by an MLB reporter. He looked at the MLB landscape and slotted all MLB teams in different offseason tiers, in his estimation.

In an article by Chad Jennings from The Athletic, he put the Giants into his "Doing what, exactly?" grouping of MLB clubs. His criticisms of the ballclub are worth reading and, yes, taking to heart.

"Granted, the Giants didn’t lose much in free agency, and there are bats still out there that could help them, but their biggest additions are a couple risk-reward starters, Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser," Jennings wrote. "Is that enough to keep pace in the NL West, or are they simply keeping pace with last year’s .500 record?"

Mahle spent the first five-plus seasons in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds, then went to the Minnesota Twins in 2022. After also spending 2023 with the Twins, Mahle moved along to pitch for two seasons with the Texas Rangers. Mahle has a 4.07 career ERA, so he's got some work to do about bringing that lower this season.

Houser came up in 2015 with the Milwaukee Brewers for a cup of coffee, then didn't return until 2018. In 2024, Houser pitched for the New York Mets. Then, in 2025, Houser split time between the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

San Francisco better hope Rafael Devers and the rest of the batting lineup know how to hit opposing pitchers really, really well. These two additions don't really do much for the Giants, other than adding a couple of arms to their pitching.

But, much like other teams mentioned in the "Doing what, exactly?" category, these moves are just minor upgrades. 

Giants fans better hope the ballclub does more before spring training, or even in the regular season.

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!