This Dodgers series could decide the fate of the SF Giants franchise

The SF Giants begin the first of four games tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the transfer deadline approaching, this series could have implications that extend well beyond the 2024 season, depending on how the Giants fare against their rival.

The point of this article is not to exaggerate. No single series can completely derail a franchise. Even if the Giants are defeated by the Dodgers, they could still turn things around. However, given the current limbo the Giants find themselves in, this series will decide a lot.

Let’s go through the different scenarios:

1. Giants win the series

It’s not impossible. The Giants won their last series against the Dodgers and looked like a team with playoff capabilities. If the Giants won 3 or 4 games in this series, Farhan Zaidi and the front office might look at this group a little differently. Maybe they’d look for a difference-maker and part ways with a young talent like Marco Luciano. That could have years of ramifications, for better or for worse.

2. Giants split the series

If the Giants split the series with the Dodgers, that would be a pretty solid result. Especially since this series is in Los Angeles, it would be very respectable if the Giants won two games against a superior team. However, the front office probably wouldn’t be convinced that the team is a contender. They would probably decide to do nothing until the deadline and only make minor changes.

3. Giants lose the series

If the Giants lose the series and win just one of four games, that would be pretty close to a tie. It wouldn’t completely change the team’s prospects or the stench of mediocrity. It would be a fairly predictable result against a tough opponent that could make the team trade some players but still give the appearance of competition. But what if the worst possible outcome happens?

4. Giants are swept away

Let’s say the Giants get swept. They lose all four games and their record drops to a dismal 48-56. They fall even further down the playoff standings. At this point, it’s almost impossible for the Giants to be buyers at the deadline. Many fans would give up on the team and players might even start to think their chances of making the postseason are lost. Farhan Zaidi would almost certainly be gone after the season, if not sooner. Who knows, maybe even Bob Melvin would feel like he’s on the hot seat. Zaidi might feel like he has no choice but to sell at the deadline. Even though he knows the writing is on the wall, he might feel it’s important for the franchise to take a closer look at younger players.

A series this big so close to the trade deadline and at a time when the Giants’ future is so uncertain is important. If the Giants win this series and get into the postseason, it could save Farhan Zaidi’s job. If they lose the series or go down and they’re on a downward spiral for the rest of the year, we could see a lot of changes, not just in the front office, but on the field as well.