Something that Tony Vitello doesn’t lack is personality. The Giants’ new manager was on brand when asked about the current state of the NL West at the MLB Winter Meetings on Tuesday in Orlando.

“These are the best players in the world,” Vitello explained. “With some of these big market teams or teams that are spending a lot of money, a lot of them are lumped together on one roster.”

Vitello was referring to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who always are near the top when it comes to spending. Vitello also mentioned an NL East team.

“With the teams in our division, or that are out there in general”, Vitello continued. “I don’t know what you’re supposed to say or not, sounds like the [Philadelphia] Phillies got better today.”

Kyle Schwarber officially signed a five-year contract worth $150 million to stay with Philadelphia on Tuesday. No matter who Vitello is up against, his goal remains the same.

“I think I want to do a good job,” Vitello said. “That’s always been my criteria. I think I’ve formulated it over the years, especially following my dad’s teams. With all due respect to him, I don’t think he could even effect what my opinion is of a good job, so that’s kind of what I’m going to hold myself to. I think if I am doing that, I’m helping in some form or fashion, but the players are the ones out on the field. There’s a whole group of people who’re going to be working to make the organization a winning one.”

San Francisco finished at an even .500 last season, which put them in third place in the NL West. Vitello is extremely direct about his goals for the year.

“Whether you want to call it making the playoffs or having success there,” Vitello continued. “Or coming close or having a better record than last year, I’ve never been a part of a big league season, so we’ll see. I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on here at both hotels we’re occupying.”

Vitello’s mindset is clear, day by day.

“Day in and day out, you have to compete against, and if you want to have success, beat, the best players in the world,” Vitello concluded. “As I said, the trend in all pro sports is a lot of them are now lumped together. The cliche is, ‘You’re going to have to beat the best,’ but at the end of the day, having success against those teams can come as a group as opposed to matching up man for man.”

The Giants made a huge splash before the trade deadline last season, and could look to improve the roster again throughout the offseason.

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