MLB insider expects SF Giants to target the 2 top pitchers remaining in free agency

After reportedly signing Willy Adames to a massive deal, the SF Giants checked one priority off of their list but there is still more work to be done. Bob Nightengale of USA Today expects the Giants to be in the market for Corbin Burnes or Max Fried.

MLB insider expects SF Giants to target the 2 top pitchers remaining in free agency

Nightengale expects both pitchers to earn above $200 million in their next contract. The Giants are listed as suitors along with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

Once the Juan Soto sweepstakes conclude, there should be a pretty hard pivot to the top remaining names for teams that missed out. If the Red Sox miss out, they could look to add another frontline rotation arm and have been connected to both Burnes and Fried. Of course, more teams could enter the mix as well.

Burnes spent the 2024 campaign with the Baltimore Orioles. They could look to make an addition if the price is right. That said, Orioles general manager Mike Elias comes from the Houston Astros. For years, the Astros have avoided contracts of more than five years with one or two exceptions. There is reason to believe Elias will adopt that approach with Balitmore.

The New York Mets could be in the mix as well. They could approach the pitching market similar to how the Orioles do in that they will be reluctant to hand out long-term deals to pitchers. They have already added Frankie Montas and are prepared to stretch out Clay Holmes to the rotation as well.

On the other hand, the Giants have a need for another rotation arm as well. They have Logan Webb and Robbie Ray at the top of the unit but have a lot of inexperience beyond that.

Corbin Burnes is coming off of a strong 2024 campaign in which he posted a 2.92 ERA across 194.1 innings. On the other hand, Max Fried registered a 3.25 ERA in 29 starts with the Atlanta Braves. His 3.07 ERA across eight seasons has likely priced himself out of Atlanta.

Both Burnes and Fried rejected qualifying offers from the Orioles and Braves, respectively. The Giants will be losing their second-and-fifth-round picks and $1 million in international bonus pool money once the Adames deal is finalized. They will lose two more picks and an additional $1 million in international bonus pool money if they sign another player who has rejected a qualifying offer.