Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick

Ben Kaspick

Ben Kaspick brings data and feel together to make the San Francisco Giants make sense—independent, ad-free, and accessible to every fan. www.benkaspick.com

Episodes

  1. Harrison Bader to the Giants: Defensive Fix or Another “Meh” Move? What Still Needs to Happen

    28 JAN

    Harrison Bader to the Giants: Defensive Fix or Another “Meh” Move? What Still Needs to Happen

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.benkaspick.com The San Francisco Giants are reportedly in agreement with Harrison Bader on a two-year, $20.5 million deal, and while the move clearly addresses a major need, it also continues the theme of a very “meh” offseason. In this episode of Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick, Ben breaks down who Harrison Bader actually is, why his 2025 offensive surge is unlikely to be sustainable, and why the SF Giants are really paying for elite center-field defense, leadership, and stability—not a breakout bat. Ben dives into: Why Bader’s contract makes sense when you look past last year’s surface stats Statcast and Outs Above Average data that show just how bad the Giants’ outfield defense was, and how much Bader helps Why Jung Hoo Lee may be better suited for a corner spot, and how Bader changes the entire outfield dynamic The ripple effects for Heliot Ramos, Luis Matos, and Jerar Encarnacion Why the Giants still look unfinished without a true second baseman Concerns about the rotation and bullpen behind Logan Webb What an opportunistic move—whether a trade or a late pitching addition—could mean for the Giants’ playoff hopes The Giants have added solid players, but the big question remains: have they done enough? With pitchers and catchers reporting soon, the window to push in a little further is closing. 👉 The first half of the episode is free. The full episode is available exclusively on Substack. Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick—independent, ad-free, rational San Francisco Giants analysis.

    18 min
  2. Are the Giants Really “Aggressively Pursuing” a Second Baseman? Abrams, Donovan, Hoerner Breakdown

    23 JAN

    Are the Giants Really “Aggressively Pursuing” a Second Baseman? Abrams, Donovan, Hoerner Breakdown

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.benkaspick.com Ten days ago, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the San Francisco Giants were “aggressively pursuing” a second baseman, naming Nico Hoerner and Brendan Donovan as trade targets. Ten days later, nothing has happened—and spring training is right around the corner. So what’s actually going on? In this episode of Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick, Ben digs into the report, explains why Passan’s word matters, and breaks down the three most realistic second base options for the Giants: Hoerner (Cubs), Donovan (Cardinals), and C.J. Abrams (Nationals). He looks at: —Why the Giants’ interest in second base makes perfect sense —How Hoerner’s elite defense, speed, and Bay Area ties factor into the conversation —Why Donovan’s on-base skills, versatility, and likely acquisition cost could make him the best fit —How Abrams’ youth, power/speed combo, and team control change the calculus —Contract status, years of control, defensive metrics, platoon splits, and realistic trade availability —What recent MLB trades (including MacKenzie Gore and Freddy Peralta) say about where the market is headed Ben also explains why the lack of immediate action doesn’t mean the Giants are done, why timing shouldn't matter too much, and which move he ultimately expects the front office to make. As always, this is independent, ad-free Giants analysis, grounded in data and roster context—not agent-driven speculation. 👉 The first portion of the episode is free. The full episode is available to subscribers on Substack. Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick—rational, detailed San Francisco Giants coverage, every step of the way.

    17 min
  3. Giants Add Pitching, Chase Brendan Donovan—and Why Ketel Marte Doesn’t Add Up

    17/12/2025

    Giants Add Pitching, Chase Brendan Donovan—and Why Ketel Marte Doesn’t Add Up

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.benkaspick.com Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick In this episode, Ben breaks down a flurry of San Francisco Giants news as the offseason begins to take real shape. From new pitching additions to emerging trade rumors—plus a major Hall of Fame moment—there’s a lot to unpack. 🔹 Giants Signings: Hauser, Foley, and Hentges The Giants add three arms to a pitching staff with plenty of question marks: Adrian Houser reportedly agrees to a two-year, $22 million deal, giving the rotation a veteran, ground-ball-heavy arm who raises the floor but doesn’t necessarily move the ceiling. Jason Foley signs a one-year deal after being non-tendered by Detroit. Foley brings elite ground-ball rates and past closing experience, though he’s expected to miss roughly half of the season due to injury. Sam Hentges, a left-hander with strikeout ability and velocity, join SF on a one-year deal and is expected to be ready by Opening Day. Ben digs into what these moves say about the Giants’ pitching philosophy, bullpen construction, and remaining needs, especially after recent departures and injuries. 🔹 Rotation Outlook & What Comes Next With Logan Webb at the top and uncertainty behind him, the Giants appear far from done: Robbie Ray’s late-season struggles The roles of young arms like Landon Roupp, Hayden Birdsong, and others Why adding “average” pitching still matters The front office’s stated goal of adding two starters, and who could still be in play 🔹 Giants Named “Frontrunners” for Brendan Donovan Reports link the Giants to Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan, a versatile, left-handed bat with elite contact skills. Ben explains: Why Donovan fits the Giants’ offensive profile His defensive versatility and platoon splits Contract status, arbitration outlook, and likely trade cost How he could slot in as an everyday second baseman — or a super-utility option 🔹 Why a Ketel Marte Trade Feels Unlikely The Giants are also rumored to have checked in on Ketel Marte, but Ben lays out why this scenario is far less realistic: Massive contract and team-control considerations Division-rival trade dynamics The prospect capital it would likely require 🔹 Jeff Kent Elected to the Hall of Fame A huge moment for the franchise: Jeff Kent is elected to the MLB Hall of Fame via committee vote He’ll almost certainly enter wearing a Giants cap What this means historically for the organization, and why it matters 🔹 More Giants Notes & What’s Ahead Additional topics teased or discussed: Giants jumping to No. 4 overall in the MLB Draft Lottery Coaching staff additions, including Ron Washington and Jesse Chavez Marco Luciano being claimed off waivers ZiPS projections Rule 5 Draft activity Ongoing interest in Cody Bellinger Why there’s still a lot more coming this offseason 🔒 About This Podcast This is an independent, ad-free podcast supported by listeners. Some episodes and content are paywalled Full episodes available on Substack $5/month or $50/year for complete access and to support the show 👉 Subscribe at BenKaspick.com or on Substack: Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick

    23 min
  4. What’s Next for the SF Giants After Tony Vitello? Staff Openings, Rotation Holes, Roster Logjam, Tatsuya Imai Watch

    27/11/2025

    What’s Next for the SF Giants After Tony Vitello? Staff Openings, Rotation Holes, Roster Logjam, Tatsuya Imai Watch

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.benkaspick.com Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick brings data, insight, and personality together in a smart, independent show breaking down everything happening (and not happening) around the San Francisco Giants. Host Ben Kaspick, who covered the Giants professionally for more than six years at Locked On Giants, returns with deep analysis, sharp perspective, and a decade of podcasting experience. In this episode, Ben recaps a busy and bizarre offseason stretch: Tony Vitello’s unprecedented jump from Tennessee to the Giants dugout, the delayed completion of the coaching staff, rumored hires like Jayce Tingler, Hunter Mense, Justin Meccage, and Frank Anderson, and the club’s push to modernize player development. He breaks down the Giants’ biggest needs for 2026, the early impact of Dylan Cease’s $210M deal on the pitching market, and why San Francisco must get aggressive in free agency and trades if they want to avoid mediocre season. Ben also looks at roster crunches, out-of-options dilemmas, potential trades involving Marco Luciano or Luis Matos, and what league executives are saying about Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, who multiple MLB insiders predict could land in San Francisco. If you’re a Giants fan who wants smart analysis, front-office context, real roster insight, and zero fluff, you’re in the right place.

    25 min
  5. 18/08/2025

    SF Giants’ Playoff Odds Crushed by Brutal Home Collapse: 15 Losses in 16 Games

    This debut episode is free for all. Future episodes may be paywalled, with full access for paid subscribers. Your support keeps the show independent and ad-free! The San Francisco Giants recently dropped 15 of 16 at home—their worst stretch since 1901—and the timing couldn’t be stranger. Just two months ago, the SF Giants were one win away from first place in the NL West. Since, after trading for Rafael Devers, the Giants have somehow been the worst team in baseball. In the debut episode of Giants Baseball with Ben Kaspick, host Ben Kaspick breaks down what’s gone wrong: Devers’ strikeout surge, Patrick Bailey’s offensive struggles, the cursed run support for Justin Verlander, and how a 1–15 home stretch sunk their playoff odds to 1.8%. He also digs into how an 8-8 record—instead of an unfathomable 1-15 record—during this recent stretch of home games would have left the Giants in sole possession of a playoff spot. Plus: how Wilmer Flores and Heliot Ramos have fallen flat, and which young bats—Casey Schmitt, Christian Koss—might offer a glimmer of hope for the future. This is an independent, ad-free show. No segments, no scripts, no hot-take factory. Just clear, stat-based San Francisco Giants talk from Ben Kaspick, who’s been covering this team since 2015. Follow and subscribe on all podcast platforms: Substack: benkaspick.com Apple: apple.co/4n8xt9F Spotify: bit.ly/Spotify-BK YouTube: bit.ly/YouTube-BK Follow Ben Kaspick on Twitter and Bluesky, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans. Twitter/X: x.com/BenKaspick Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/benkaspick.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.benkaspick.com/subscribe

    44 min

About

Ben Kaspick brings data and feel together to make the San Francisco Giants make sense—independent, ad-free, and accessible to every fan. www.benkaspick.com

You Might Also Like