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3 reliable innings eaters the SF Giants should target to save their bullpen

These 3 starting pitchers would save a lot of stress for the SF Giants bullpen.

By Nick San Miguel |
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Los Angeles Angels v San Francisco Giants / Lachlan Cunningham/GettyImages
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The SF Giants have an overtaxed bullpen. One way they could address that is by acquiring a starting pitcher that consistently goes deep into games. Here are 3 reliable innings eaters who would help with this problem.

3 reliable innings eaters the SF Giants should target to save their bullpen

It is no secret that the Giants have used their bullpen a lot this year. Both Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle and Grant Brisbee of The Athletic (subscription required for both) have documented the intense workload for the bullpen of the Giants.

The bullpen is not going to get a break any time soon because with Keaton Winn going on the IL, the Giants are left with only Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks in their rotation. Webb is a proven innings eater in his career and he currently ranks 5th in MLB for innings pitched. Hicks on the other hand is in his first year as a starter and while he has been brilliant for the most part, it is asking an awful lot for him to go deep into games over and over.

The Giants are hoping they can get some reinforcements soon in the form of Blake Snell and Kyle Harrison, but Snell has never been an innings eater in his career. Plus, Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray will not be back until after the All-Star break and who knows how effective they will be or how consistently they will be able to go deep into games.

That is why the Giants should make a concerted effort to acquire at least one, maybe even two starting pitchers who have proven they can consistently go deep into games and provide quality innings. As the season wears on, it will be essential to provide more rest for their bullpen so acquiring one or two of these starters would be huge for the team.

Milwaukee Brewers v Los Angeles Angels
Milwaukee Brewers v Los Angeles Angels / Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

3 reliable innings eaters the SF Giants should target to save their bullpen

1. Tyler Anderson

SF Giants fans may remember that Tyler Anderson pitched for the team in the shortened 2020 season. Since then, he got an All-Star nod with the Dodgers in 2022 where he threw 178 and 2/3 innings and posted a 2.57 ERA.

Now he is on the Los Angeles Angels and is having a very good season. Our own Jeff Young identified him as a trade target earlier this year, and it is easy to understand why. He currently sports a 2.48 ERA and is 9th in MLB with 94 and 1/3 innings pitched.

The Giants could desperately use that kind of length from one of their starters. It is not clear what they would have to give up to get Anderson, but considering the fact that the Angels are currently 30-46 they should be sellers at the deadline. Getting Anderson would be huge for a Giants team that needs more length from their starters.

Chicago White Sox v Detroit Tigers
Chicago White Sox v Detroit Tigers / Duane Burleson/GettyImages

3 reliable innings eaters the SF Giants should target to save their bullpen

2. Erick Fedde

Another innings eater the Giants should target is Erick Fedde. Fedde has had a really solid year for the Chicago White Sox. The 31 year old has a 5-2 record and a 3.05 ERA in 16 starts. His 94.1 innings are tied with Anderson for 9th best in MLB.

Fedde has gone 5 innings or more in 14 of his 16 starts which is exactly what the Giants need right now. He is also on the White Sox who currently have a record of 21-57 which is the worst in all of MLB. They definitely figure to be sellers and Fedde is an enticing trade chip.

The Giants would be wise to make a play for the reliable right-hander.

Atlanta Braves v Boston Red Sox
Atlanta Braves v Boston Red Sox / Maddie Meyer/GettyImages

3. Kutter Crawford

Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford is another reliable innings eater the Giants should target. He currently has a 3.59 ERA in 92.2 innings. He has gone at least 6 innings in each of his last 5 starts.

The Red Sox cannot be considered sellers by any stretch. They currently sit at 41-36 and are right in the thick of the Wild Card race. Perhaps the Giants could trade Alex Cobb and a low level prospect to get Crawford so the Red Sox at least get an veteran starter in return.

No matter what, the Giants have to do something to address the high workload their pitching staff has had to endure. Trading for one of these pitchers could be a smart move to ensure they get more length from their starters and preserve their bullpen in the process.

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