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3 veteran relievers the SF Giants should consider to solidify the back of the bullpen

Here are three relievers that would complete the SF Giants bullpen in 2024. 

By Nick San Miguel |
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The SF Giants had a decent bullpen last season. They recorded a 3.92 ERA which was good enough for 14th best in baseball.

3 veteran relievers the SF Giants should consider to solidify the back of the bullpen

Camilo Doval was an All-Star and deservedly so. Having a lockdown closer is often the most difficult role to fill in any bullpen but the Giants have that role set in stone for 2024.

Doval appeared in 69 games for the Giants which was the most on the team. The team is likely hoping they can give him more rest and not use him more than two or three games in a row if possible.

Both Tyler and Taylor Rogers performed well as set-up men even though Taylor had a really rough start to his Giants tenure. They will both be used in high-leverage spots this season and could even see an occasional save opportunity if Doval needs extra rest.

Rookie Ryan Walker was used as an opener a lot but also proved to be a solid, late-inning reliever as well. He could slot in as a 6th or 7th inning guy for the team.

Luke Jackson will likely also be a bullpen piece. He had a decent 2023 coming off injury and the hope is that he can improve as more time has passed since his injury.

After that, the bullpen gets less clear. Likely one of Ross Stripling, Tristan Beck, or Keaton Winn will end up being a long reliever. But the rest of the options are unproven relievers like Erik Miller and Randy Rodriguez.

The Giants may want to add one more reliever to the bullpen who is a more known quantity and in case guys get injured or underperform.

They are not going to go for the top of the market with a guy like Josh Hader. He is too expensive and the Giants probably like where they are at with the back end of the bullpen being Doval and the Rogers twins.

But there are some interesting options at the mid-tier level that would make a lot of sense and would help the SF Giants complete their bullpen.

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Atlanta Braves Postseason Workout / Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/GettyImages

3 veteran relievers the SF Giants should consider to solidify the back of the bullpen

1. Brad Hand

Brad Hand is a veteran left handed reliever that had bounced around a lot throughout his career. He is a three time All-Star although the last time he made the All-Star team was in 2019.

He will be entering his age 34 season and is coming off a rough season by his standards. He spent time with both the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves last year and recorded a 5.53 ERA in 53 and 2/3 innings pitched.

The year before in Philadelphia, he had a much more respectable 2.80 ERA in 45 innings.

The safe bet is that Hand just had a bit of an off year last year. He could definitely be due for a bounce back in 2024 and a fresh start with the Giants would be a good place to do it.

Plus, outside of Taylor Rogers the Giants don’t really have a left-handed pitcher they can truly trust in the bullpen. Erik Miller could be a left-handed option but he has yet to pitch in the big leagues.

Hand would make sense as a veteran option on a one-year deal who would provide stability and could also serve as a trade chip if the Giants are out of the playoff hunt at the trade deadline.

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Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Angels / Ronald Martinez/GettyImages

3 veteran relievers the SF Giants should consider to solidify the back of the bullpen

2. Robert Stephenson

Another option for the SF Giants bullpen is Robert Stephenson. Born in Martinez, California, Stephenson would match the profile of a Bay Area acquisition like J.D. Davis, Joc Pederson, or Mitch Haniger.

He has been a decent relief pitcher as well. Last year with the Pirates and the Rays he recorded a 3.10 ERA in 52 and 1/3 innings pitched.

He appeared in 60 games and would be a guy similar to the Walker or Luke Jackson mold who ideally you would bring into the game in the 6th inning or so if the starter was unable to go deep into the game.

The Bay Area connection could help the Giants sign him to a one year deal to add some depth to their bullpen.

Championship Series - Texas Rangers v Houston Astros - Game Seven
Championship Series - Texas Rangers v Houston Astros - Game Seven / Carmen Mandato/GettyImages

3. Ryne Stanek

One final option could be the right hander Ryne Stanek. Last season with the Astros he recorded an ERA of 4.09 in 50 and 2/3 innings pitched.

While that does not jump off the page, his 2022 stats do. He had an ERA of 1.15 in 54 and 2/3 innings for the Astros. That is a pretty remarkable ERA to maintain over the course of a full season. His FIP that season was 3.02 so luck definitely factored into it, but he could still be an interesting relief option for the Giants on a one year deal.

These are three bullpen options for the SF Giants. While the bullpen seems set to a certain extent, these additions could help solidify the bullpen as the Giants head into the season.

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