The San Francisco Giants signed starting pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year deal in the offseason. This was one of several moves that the Giants made this offseason, including signing shortstop Willy Adames to a long-term deal.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Justin Verlander was on a minor-league rehab assignment when he got his first taste of the automated ball-strike system, or ABS. Verlander hadn’t used the system before and didn’t plan on challenging any pitches. Before his outing, Verlander told his catcher to handle any and all appeals.

The Giants saw their new president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, navigate through his first winter in charge with a few goals in mind. San Francisco had a desire to drop t