[lex24]

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As for Oracle itself – I’ve walked many a time down the Embarcadero to the stadium and I’ve never encountered a problem. Not sure what it’s like from the other direction – for example, coming from the train station.

I can certify that coming from the train station it is quite bad. There is a lot of panhandling in the immediate vicinity. When there is a Giants game it is somewhat mitigated by the relatively larder number of passengers. There isn't space for the panhandlers.  From an appearances point of view, it looks much worse than it is.  There are lots of homeless tents visible as you enter the throat of the station. Those of us that are there somewhat often are not surprised by it and realize most of those folks are harmless. However, tourists and people who don't come there often will probably find it quite jarring.

I don't believe this is a "controlling" factor for free  agent signings, but it is a fact that San Francisco has an image problem. Many big cities manage to mostly hide their homeless, drug, and crime problems. In San Francisco, it is right in front of you. Couple that with the extremly high vacancy rate in the City's business rentals and a potential signee may conclude the franchise is looking at financial impacts from all this going forward. That may be an accurate analysis. It also means the players opportunities to sign "NIL" contracts will be reduced. At one time San Francisco had a reputation for being expensive but there were plenty of opportunities to make money in the "local" economy. That is no longer true.

Giants are valued at 3.7 Billion.  5th in MLB.  That will go up as they develop Mission Rock.  The franchise is financially healthier than it’s ever been.

They may be doing great, but it doesn't LOOK that way when you observe the overall San Francisco environment. The city forecasts an 800 million deficit over the next two years https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/13/san-fr...-spending/. A lot of people's projections based on past growth rates are no longer panning out. For a free agent looking at finishing his career in a particular venue, choosing a  healthy one is probably important.

Why?  The money is guaranteed.  I don’t think players look at a city’s financial situation in making a determination.

Here is Scott Boras on “the issue”:

“Players talk about whether ownership is willing to spend to win," Boras said. "Will they pay me my value? What do they have in the minor leagues that will make them a consistent winner? They're focused on baseball. There are issues including homelessness near the ballpark in San Diego, in downtown L.A.

"To identify that only with San Francisco is really unfair. In any of the major cities, we've got issues. Chicago, New York, wherever. The players' major focus is the structure of the organization and winning and competing. The biggest issue the Giants have is the fact that the Dodgers are getting better. Players want to know if they come here, will they be able to compete with the Dodgers. And now Arizona. That's the real major question that San Francisco has to answer."

[lex24]

1702698663[/url]']

1702697288[/url]']

1702687346[/url]']

1702685664[/url]']
As for Oracle itself – I’ve walked many a time down the Embarcadero to the stadium and I’ve never encountered a problem. Not sure what it’s like from the other direction – for example, coming from the train station.

I can certify that coming from the train station it is quite bad. There is a lot of panhandling in the immediate vicinity. When there is a Giants game it is somewhat mitigated by the relatively larder number of passengers. There isn't space for the panhandlers.  From an appearances point of view, it looks much worse than it is.  There are lots of homeless tents visible as you enter the throat of the station. Those of us that are there somewhat often are not surprised by it and realize most of those folks are harmless. However, tourists and people who don't come there often will probably find it quite jarring.

I don't believe this is a "controlling" factor for free  agent signings, but it is a fact that San Francisco has an image problem. Many big cities manage to mostly hide their homeless, drug, and crime problems. In San Francisco, it is right in front of you. Couple that with the extremly high vacancy rate in the City's business rentals and a potential signee may conclude the franchise is looking at financial impacts from all this going forward. That may be an accurate analysis. It also means the players opportunities to sign "NIL" contracts will be reduced. At one time San Francisco had a reputation for being expensive but there were plenty of opportunities to make money in the "local" economy. That is no longer true.

Giants are valued at 3.7 Billion.  5th in MLB.  That will go up as they develop Mission Rock.  The franchise is financially healthier than it’s ever been.

They may be doing great, but it doesn't LOOK that way when you observe the overall San Francisco environment. The city forecasts an 800 million deficit over the next two years https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/13/san-fr...-spending/. A lot of people's projections based on past growth rates are no longer panning out. For a free agent looking at finishing his career in a particular venue, choosing a  healthy one is probably important.

Why?  The money is guaranteed.  I don’t think players look at a city’s financial situation in making a determination.

Here is Scott Boras on “the issue”:

“Players talk about whether ownership is willing to spend to win," Boras said. "Will they pay me my value? What do they have in the minor leagues that will make them a consistent winner? They're focused on baseball. There are issues including homelessness near the ballpark in San Diego, in downtown L.A.

"To identify that only with San Francisco is really unfair. In any of the major cities, we've got issues. Chicago, New York, wherever. The players' major focus is the structure of the organization and winning and competing. The biggest issue the Giants have is the fact that the Dodgers are getting better. Players want to know if they come here, will they be able to compete with the Dodgers. And now Arizona. That's the real major question that San Francisco has to answer."