San Francisco Giants news Friday, November 6, 2026

No. 1 in the 30-second version

Royals add Hunter Mense as assistant hitting coach, one year after he was the Giants' hitting coach.

Reporters Mark Feinsand and Maria Guardado say Mense will join Marcus Thames as the Royals' hitting coaches, with Connor Dawson's title listed as offensive coordinator. The Royals reassigned hitting coach Alec Zumwalt to focus on working with minor leaguers. According to SB Nation, the Giants averaged 4.13 runs per game under Mense, fifth-lowest in baseball.

Sources: Royals Review · McCovey Chronicles

No. 2 in the 30-second version

Rafael Devers is a Silver Slugger finalist, alongside Jake Bauers, Alec Burleson and Matt Olson.

According to SB Nation and McCovey Chronicles, Devers hit 37 home runs with 88 RBI and a .258/.340/.525 line in 148 games this season, with a 136 wRC+ that ranked 14th in MLB. The Giants have not won the Silver Slugger since Buster Posey in 2021, and the fan blogs say Devers is unlikely to end that drought. They also note that Devers' bat is a reason not to rush him into trade talks.

Source: McCovey Chronicles

Former Giants Luis Arráez, Kevin Gausman and Tyler Mahle appear on top-50 free agent lists from Fangraphs and ESPN.

Arráez ranks 11th on Fangraphs and 12th on ESPN, according to McCovey Chronicles, after posting an 82 wRC+ with Philadelphia following a 121 mark with the Giants. Fangraphs projects Arráez for two years and $38 million, and ESPN projects three years and $54 million. On ESPN's list, Gausman is 15th and Mahle is 16th.

Source: McCovey Chronicles

No. 3 in the 30-second version

Mets hiring Johnny Washington as co-hitting coach.

Joel Sherman reported this afternoon that, according to sources, the Mets are hiring Johnny Washington to be a co-hitting coach. Presumably, by hiring Washington, the Mets are replacing Jeff Albert’s previous role as director of hitting. Washington played minor-league and independent-league ball for several years before moving into coaching.

Sources: SNY · MLB.com · NY Post Sports · Amazin' Avenue

Mariners introduce Jason Kanzler, a 36-year-old first-time manager, after firing Dan Wilson.

According to SB Nation's fan blog, Kanzler previously coached with the Astros and most recently served as the Cubs' farm director. Per Lookout Landing, a fan blog, Jerry Dipoto called Kanzler far and away the most impressive candidate the team interviewed. ESPN describes Kanzler as coming from an analytics and data-friendly background.

Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports · Lookout Landing

Yankees' Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger are named American League Silver Slugger finalists; winners announced November 17.

Rice is a finalist at DH after hitting 41 homers with a .534 slugging percentage, and SNY reports Yordan Alvarez is the other AL DH finalist. Bellinger, a finalist in the outfield, already has a Gold Glove this offseason, and a Silver Slugger would be his third. Per SB Nation, the awards are voted on by coaches and managers, not the BBWAA.

Sources: SNY · Pinstripe Alley

Blue Jays distance themselves from Anthony Santander's anti-Islam Instagram story posts.

USA Today reports Santander reportedly shared two videos to his Instagram story on Wednesday, Nov. 4, one captioned 'America voted for Sharia (law) last night!' and another reading 'Islam is not peaceful,' both after the midterm elections. The posts followed Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan Senate win, which NY Post reports will make him the first Muslim U.S. senator once he takes office in January. Santander, 32, was limited to 54 games in 2025 by shoulder injuries and is on a five-year, $92.5 million contract. Toronto's statement said 'Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs.'

Sources: USA TODAY Sports · Yahoo Sports · NY Post Sports

Athletics hire Brewers executive Cam Castro as general manager under new president Taylor Smith.

Castro spent seven years in Milwaukee's organization and was most recently the Brewers' senior vice president of player development and performance, according to ESPN. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported the hire, which Castro would be taking from the World Series champion Brewers. Castro will be Smith's second-in-command in the front office.

Sources: ESPN · Athletics Nation