SAN FRANCISCO -- The social media reaction to the report that the Giants had signed Brandon Beachy was predictable, and at times, to be fair, funny. Shoutout to the person on Twitter who responded by pointing out that “he was really good in 2012” applies to most of the current Giants roster.

But one tweet caught my eye and got me thinking. It was a complaint about how the Giants added another aging player, which in the past has been as valid as any gripe.

Every year Giants executives say they would like to get younger and more athletic in the offseason. Just about every year, we look up in February and the clubhouse at Scottsdale Stadium is brimming with new 31-year-olds.

Farhan Zaidi went down the same road in his introductory press conference, saying he wanted to add “more youth and athleticism to complement the culture of selflessness.” He hasn’t added much in terms of marquee free agents, but he has made the Giants’ 40-man roster and spring clubhouse younger, and while we haven’t seen most of these guys in action, many do come with reputations for being speedsters and versatile athletes.

Just take a look at the outfield. Zaidi still has multiple holes to fill and could still turn to free agents in their mid-thirties, but at the moment, it’s a much younger group than the Giants have had in the past.

The oldest outfielder on the 40-man roster is John Andreoli, picked up Friday. He turns 29 during the season. Ditto for Mac Williamson. Austin Slater and Rule 5 pick Drew Ferguson just turned 26. Chris Shaw and Steven Duggar are 25. Mike Gerber, who was claimed and then passed through waivers, is 26.

Anthony Garcia, a non-roster invitee, is 27. Henry Ramos, the other non-roster outfielder, is 26.

It’s not a particularly strong group at the moment, but the Giants believe there’s upside here, and that’s something you can dream on when all your outfielders are years from their dirty 30 parties. It’s a new experience for the Giants, too. Last year’s most-used outfielders included Andrew McCutchen (31 last opening day), Gorkys Hernandez (30), Hunter Pence (34), Gregor Blanco (34) and Austin Jackson (32).

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The Giants also will be a little younger in the infield if the non-roster list is any indication. This year’s non-roster group is about a year younger on average than last year’s and includes a pair of 24-year-olds: Zachary Green and Ryan Howard. Offseason addition Breyvic Valera, 27, will be among those fighting for a job. While Cameron Rupp is 30, the other non-roster catchers -- Hamlet Marte and Joey Bart -- are 24 and 22, respectively.

The three free agent pitching additions -- Derek Holland, Drew Pomeranz and Pat Venditte -- are all in their thirties, but on the position player side, the Giants have certainly aimed to get a bit younger and more athletic.

That doesn’t always pay off. McCutchen, for example, was the team’s most consistent hitter for five months last season. But if you’re looking for upside, you look for more youth, and the Giants have managed to do that during an otherwise quiet offseason.