A pair of SF Giants pitchers could attain Super Two status in the offseason

The MLB offseason could change for a pair of SF Giants relievers. José Butto and Randy Rodríguez are projected to reach arbitration a year early by attaining Super Two status, per the latest estimate from Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors.

McDonald projects the Super Two cutoff to be 2.134 years of service time, but that number is subject to change and will be finalized in the offseason. Even if the cutoff increases, both Butto and Rodríguez should clear the threshold with ease.

The cutoff is determined by calculating the average service time of the top 22 percent of players between two and three years of service time. Why the top 22 percent? Obviously, to be complicated.

Players with at least three years of service time are eligible for arbitration. However, eligible players can reach arbitration a season early if they attain Super Two status. This also means that a player will have four trips through arbitration.

If that threshold holds, then it could have a marginal impact on José Butto and Randy Rodríguez. Butto began the season with 1.168 years of service time and accrued a full year while finishing the year on the injured list due to a blood clot.

On the other hand, the Giants knew that Rodríguez would miss this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of last season. The good news is he is now on the mend after receiving an invite to the Arizona Fall League for a rehab assignment. He began the season with 1.148 years of service and accrued a full year on the injured list.

Attaining Super Two status could force a decision for at least SF Giants reliever

Attaining Super Two status might force a decision on Butto, but it should have little impact on Rodríguez. Going through arbitration means a player is due for a raise, even if it is marginally above the league minimum.

Butto has performed more like a middle reliever throughout his career. He has a 3.76 ERA, 4.07 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, 8.8 K/9, and a 1.87 SO/W rate across five major league seasons. He is also out of minor league options, so he carries little roster flexibility.

The Giants could tender him a contract and work out a salary before the deadline. That would guarantee his pay for 2027, as he would have little leverage in arbitration.

On the other hand, Rodríguez has a simpler case. The Giants will likely tender him a contract, especially since they have already discussed him being part of next year’s bullpen. He would be due for a more modest raise since he was an All-Star as recently as 2025, but it would still be a relative bargain for the Giants.

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