There is no reason to sugarcoat what happened to the San Francisco Giants in 2026. They endured another deeply disappointing season.

San Francisco finished 65-97, recording its third-highest loss total since the franchise moved to the city in 1958.

The Giants also missed the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and finished 35 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.

Tony Vitello completed his first year as manager, and the results likely fell far short of what he envisioned when he accepted the position.

However, that does not mean every development from the season was negative.

As San Francisco enters what should be an extremely important offseason, the organization must evaluate the encouraging developments that emerged from the difficult 2026 campaign.

Rafael Devers entered the season carrying significant expectations. For the most part, he met them, sometimes producing while the team around him continued to fall apart.

Devers finished with a .258/.340/.525 slash line, 37 home runs, 98 RBIs and an .865 OPS in 148 games. He led the Giants in home runs and RBIs.

His production became even more impressive when it was revealed late in the season that he had been playing through a core muscle injury. The issue eventually required season-ending surgery.

Before San Francisco finally removed him from the lineup and placed him on the Injured List, Devers finished strongly by hitting 12 home runs during his last 21 games.

Devers remains under contract through 2033. Following his first full season with San Francisco, there should be little question that he is a player the Giants can build around.

Devers creates a threat whenever he steps into the hitter’s box. Pitchers cannot relax against him because his power gives him the ability to alter a game with one swing.

Devers also proved that he could continue producing while dealing with physical discomfort and playing for a struggling team.

That does not mean the Giants should expect him to compete through serious injuries, but it demonstrates his toughness and commitment.

His strong finish also showed his ability to remain focused when San Francisco’s season had already deteriorated. Devers continued preparing and competing instead of allowing the team’s record to diminish his effort.

He provides the Giants with an established presence in the middle of the lineup and gives younger hitters someone capable of carrying substantial offensive responsibility.

Devers does not need to become a different player for San Francisco. The Giants must place enough dependable hitters around him so opposing pitchers cannot consistently work around his presence.

His recovery from surgery will be important, but his first full season established his place within the organization. Amid a year filled with disappointment, Devers gave San Francisco a legitimate centerpiece for its attempt to become competitive again.