Dear Giants Fans,

This certainly was not the end-of-year letter I expected to write when we started the season. Like you, we have spent the past several frustrating months trying to understand what happened and how we turn things around. But as August and September gave way to October, we’ve grown more and more energized and determined.

There are three reasons. First, we have spent these weeks — usually devoted to playoff preparation — working on the future, not just for next season but for seasons to come.

Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans and his staff traveled to our academy in the Dominican Republic to assess and sharpen how we identify and develop Latin American players. Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Brian Sabean spent time with our minor league affiliates to evaluate not only players, coaches and staff but our overall system of teaching and preparation. Our scouts have been scattered throughout the country and abroad for deep-dives on every player we might want to pursue in a trade or as a free agent.

As always, we’re scouring the country’s high schools and colleges for the next generation of Giants. Losing has one silver lining: high draft picks. These picks can have a profound impact. Not long ago, after a run of eight straight winning seasons, including a trip to the World Series in 2002, we began a slide that included 90-loss seasons in 2007 and 2008. We made the most of our silver lining. First-round picks — Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey — formed the foundation of three World Series Championship teams.

Second, we’re looking forward to getting full seasons next year from impact players who lost time to injuries: relievers Mark Melancon and Will Smith, starters Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto and everyday players Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Joe Panik. Injuries also stole opportunities from young players like Christian Arroyo, Tyler Beede, Austin Slater and Steven Duggar who are eager to make their mark. We expect them to battle for roster spots next spring alongside Ryder Jones, Kyle Crick, Reyes Moronta and Chris Stratton. Waiting in the wings are outfielders Chris Shaw and Bryan Reynolds and pitcher Andrew Suarez.

Our success in recent years has been built on strong starting pitching, a deep bullpen, excellent defense and timely hitting. That has been our formula. Our starting rotation is already among the best in baseball when healthy. Jeff Samardzija has been a horse, throwing more innings than anyone in the National League. He posted a 6.41 strikeouts per walk ratio this season, which ranked second in the NL behind Clayton Kershaw and was the highest in Giants franchise history. Reliever Sam Dyson, acquired in June after a rough start with Texas, found new life here, shutting down games when Melancon was sidelined. Defense and timely hitting fell short, and we are working to fill those holes along with addressing the surge of power in the game. Shoring up our outfield — both offensively and defensively — is also a top priority.

Just this year, we’ve witnessed two teams complete impressive turnarounds. The Minnesota Twins reached the playoffs after losing 103 games in 2016. And our division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks won 93 games and reached the playoffs after a 93-loss season. A team’s fortunes can change quickly.

Let me assure you our players and staff are hungrier than ever to win and are working harder than ever to make it happen. I was not surprised but still extremely proud to see how they continued to battle to the end. In his last start, Madison Bumgarner attacked the Dodgers as if the World Series were on the line, then he brushed aside his own impressive outing to keep the focus on the only thing that mattered to him: the 2–1 victory.

“You look at 7 2/3 innings and one run, it’s going to make it easier to go home and sleep tonight knowing that we won,” he told reporters. “If I pitched the exact same game . . . and we lost, a lot of people would argue that I should feel the same. But it’s not about you. It’s about the team.’’

This is who the Giants are. No one exemplified that grit more than Matt Cain, the unflappable leader of a pitching rotation that ignited our city and changed the Giants franchise forever. He will be beloved and remembered not only for three World Series championships and for pitching the only perfect game in Giants history, but also for the philanthropic work he and his wife Chelsea contributed to the community.

The third reason we’re energized is you. We’ve always seen the team and the fans as a single unit, a family. Families are hit by hard times when frustration mounts and patience wears thin. But they stick together and figure it out. Bruce Bochy spoke for all of us when he was asked recently what he had learned from this season.

“What I learned, probably as much as any year I’ve been here, is how great our fans are. They’re constantly telling me, ‘Hey, we’re hanging in there with you.’ It’s really been amazing, and you’re disappointed to not play better ball for them.”

We deeply appreciate your continued loyalty. I am particularly grateful to those of you who took the time to share your thoughts and suggestions for improving the team and to reassure us that you are always there with us. We will keep you informed of off-season developments. As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Laurence M. Baer

President & CEO