Giants Prioritize Pitching in Free Agency Hunt for 2026 Season

As the free agency period unfolds, the San Francisco Giants are making it clear that strengthening their pitching staff is their primary objective. With a pressing need for both starters and relievers, the organization aims to bolster its roster significantly ahead of the 2026 season. President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey emphasized this focus in early October, stating, “That’s going to be a focus of ours is trying to reinforce the staff — starting pitching and relief pitching.”

At present, the Giants’ starting rotation includes Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, alongside the likely inclusion of Landen Roupp. This composition leaves at least two spots open for new acquisitions. Internal options such as Hayden Birdsong, Carson Whisenhunt, and Trevor McDonald may provide some depth, but the Giants will need to seek more established talent from outside the organization to ensure competitive performance.

Financially, the Giants currently have considerable commitments, with Webb, Ray, Willy Adames, Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and Jung Hoo Lee projected to earn around $140 million in total for 2026. Nevertheless, there remains some flexibility due to a significant portion of their roster consisting of pre-arbitration players. Additionally, the team benefited from Patrick Bailey and right-hander Ryan Walker narrowly missing the Super Two status, saving the organization several million dollars.

The Giants successfully navigated under the luxury tax threshold in 2025 after exceeding it the previous year, allowing them to explore various options in the free agency market. The top-tier free agents this year include Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, and Ranger Suárez, all expected to command multi-year contracts in the vicinity of $150 million. Another noteworthy prospect is Tatsuya Imai, who is transitioning from Japan’s NPB after posting a remarkable 1.92 ERA last season.

While the addition of any of these pitchers would undoubtedly enhance the Giants’ rotation, the organization appears cautious about committing substantial funds to a starting pitcher, given their existing long-term financial obligations. Greg Johnson, chairman of the Giants, remarked on the team’s willingness to adjust payroll if the right opportunity arises, stating, “We don’t look at it from a cap number or anything… If we feel like the right situation is there, we’ll certainly bump up in the payroll.”

The second tier of free-agent pitchers includes notable names such as Michael King, Zac Gallen, and Chris Bassitt, with most likely to secure contracts averaging between $10 million to $20 million annually. It’s important to note that several of these players, including Valdez and Suárez, have received qualifying offers. If they opt to sign with a new team, their previous clubs will receive draft compensation.

The Giants are also eyeing potential acquisitions among experienced relievers, a category that includes Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, both of whom are nearing the end of their careers. Verlander, who turns 43 in February, demonstrated his resilience last season with a 3.85 ERA over 152 innings after a challenging 2024. Scherzer, 41, faced his own struggles with a 5.19 ERA and injuries, yet his relationship with new manager Tony Vitello could pave the way for a potential one-year deal in San Francisco.

Tim Jamieson, former head coach at the University of Missouri, highlighted the deep connection between Scherzer and Vitello, indicating that this relationship could influence Scherzer’s decision.

In terms of bolstering their bullpen, the Giants will need to employ creative strategies. The team has not invested heavily in relievers since signing Mark Melancon to a four-year, $62 million deal, which did not yield the expected return. While top-tier relievers such as Edwin Díaz and Robert Suárez are set to command lucrative contracts, the Giants may explore alternatives through waiver claims or minor-league free agency.

Currently, Ryan Walker is likely to secure a spot in next year’s bullpen, and left-hander Erik Miller is expected to make a strong comeback despite missing the latter part of the previous season due to injury. The organization recently claimed left-hander Reiver Sanmartin off waivers, suggesting they are actively seeking ways to enhance their bullpen without substantial expenditure.

As the offseason progresses, the Giants have already made significant changes, including the dismissal of manager Bob Melvin and the hiring of both Vitello and Bruce Bochy. With free agency officially underway, the focus now turns to assembling a competitive roster for Vitello’s first season at the helm. The Giants are poised to navigate the market with a clear priority: enhancing their pitching staff to reclaim their position in the league.