3 bullpen arms the SF Giants should target based on SO/W ratio

3 bullpen arms the SF Giants should target based on SO/W ratio

2. Collin McHugh - 5.36 SO/W ratio

Chris Martin's 14.80 SO/W ratio led baseball by a pretty huge margin, so the drop-off for the next reliever is sizable but he is still very effective. New Giants general manager Pete Putila knows veteran reliever Collin McHugh well from their days with the Houston Astros.

McHugh turned in another strong campaign in 2022, registering a 2.60 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 0.93 WHIP, 9.7 K/9, and a 5.36 SO/W ratio in 58 appearances. He was extremely stingy at allowing the long ball as he yielded just five homers in 69.1 frames.

The 35-year-old does well to soak up innings as well. He pitched over one inning in 32 appearances in 2022. The Giants are prepared to use Jakob Junis as their bulk innings reliever next year, but McHugh would be an upgrade in that regard.

McHugh is set to earn a nice payday in free agency after signing a one-year, $4 million pact with the Atlanta Braves last winter. Non-closers have already done quite well this winter with Nick Martinez (three years, $26 million) and Robert Suárez (five years, $46 million) both earning new deals with the San Diego Padres recently.

Similar to Chris Martin, McHugh will be on the older side as he will be entering his age-36 season in 2023. That said, he could still be in the market for a two or three-year deal in the neighborhood of what Martinez ($8.67 million AAV) and Suárez ($9.2 million AAV) received in terms of average annual value (AAV).

Familiarity can be a nice selling point for free agents, and Pete Putila's past experience with McHugh should help with any pitch.