The Athletic's Keith Law was on KNBR recently and he criticized the San Francisco Giants' apparent plan to start Marco Luciano at shortstop in 2024, going so far as to call the plan "reckless." Does Law have a point? Are the SF Giants setting Luciano up for failure? Or is Law perhaps not the ultimate authority on the matter? Memorably, Law wrote a piece not too long ago in which he re-drafted the class that yielded Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and Christian Yelich, among others. The player Law said he would take first overall? Andrelton Simmons—a shocking decision. So ... maybe Law's words shouldn't always be taken as gospel. He also criticized the SF Giants ahead of the 2010 season, and we all know how that ended up: with the raising of a championship banner. Prospect analysis is a tricky game indeed.

Among the other questions asked and answered on today's mailbag edition of the Locked On Giants podcast:

If Luis Matos has a good spring, would you trade one of Mike Yastrzemski and Michael Conforto and give Luis an everyday corner spot? Don’t understand the logic of starting him at Sac if he has a good spring but basically give Luciano SS without much competition.

Do you think we really need Slater? He’s basically a one trick pony and was horrible the 2nd half of last year. Between Matos, Blake Sabol, Tyler Fitzgerald, Wade Meckler, and Ramos he’s taking up a valuable roster spot and is a FA next year. I just think Ramos deserves a fair shot.

Any chance you can discuss the WAR for every teams 1st round pick from the 10 years and how the Hiants would've been better off having not signed a single first round pick in that span? Susan Slusser retweeted the chart I’m talking about.

Find and follow Locked On Giants on your favorite podcast platforms:

🎧 Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/3ycRK3U

🎧 Spotify http://spoti.fi/3Bak0pN

🎧 Google Play https://bit.ly/3D356mr

🎧 Overcast https://bit.ly/3wqZsbg

🎧 Megaphone https://bit.ly/3wGGcXD

The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

Follow Ben Kaspick on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the San Francisco Giants and talking with fans.

On X: https://x.com/BenKaspick

#SFGiants #FirstListen

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Backblaze

Receive a fully-featured no risk free trial at Backblaze.com/lockedonmlb. Go there, play with it, start protecting yourself from potential bad times! 

eBay Motors

With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to turn your car into the MVP and bring home that win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.

FanDuel

New customers, join today and you’ll get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS if your first bet of FIVE DOLLARS or more wins. Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices