The Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants were two teams capable of making the postseason last season, but could not get there.

World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon weighed in on the San Francisco Giants' hire of Tony Vitello, who had no professional experience, saying that such a move is "insulting" to those who have spent their entire careers paying their dues.

Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander, has been posted for MLB consideration by the Saitama Seibu Lions of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. CBS Sports recently ranked Imai as the 12th-best free agent in the class. Here's what we wrote:

The headliners of this free agency class are Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease and Ranger Suárez, all of whom are projected to receive multi-year deals in the range of $150 million. There’s also Tatsuya Imai, who will make the jump to the United States after posting a 1.92 ERA last season for the NPB’s Saitama Seibu Lions.

The San Francisco Giants' 2019 first-round pick may sign with another team before ever appearing in a big-league game.

The San Francisco Giants are looking for at least one starting pitcher this offseason but may not want to break the bank to do it.

MLB insider reveals why 'darkhorse' Giants are unlikely to sign Kyle Tucker originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

If the Blue Jays want to retain Max Scherzer in free agency, the Giants will be one of the teams they'll be battling for his services.