SF Giants listed as potential landing spot for star pitcher

The SF Giants have been active on the free-agent market for starting pitching and the newest rumor connects them to a star pitcher. According to Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, the Giants are one of five teams to express interest in Marcus Stroman.

SF Giants listed as potential landing spot for star pitcher

This should come as no surprise. After all, Stroman himself listed the Giants as one of five teams to express interest in his services earlier this week. Dierkes adds that the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Angels have also checked in on the right-handed hurler.

Stroman just completed a strong 2021 season in which he registered a 3.02 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, and a solid 3.59 SO/W ratio across 179 innings. The 30-year-old made 33 starts, which was the fourth time in his seven-year career that he has made at least 30 starts. That kind of durability is becoming less common.

The veteran starter is a bit unique in today's game in that he does not possess a power fastball but he generates a lot of spin with it and pairs it with a devastating slider. He throws an occasional curveball and changeup but those pitchers lag behind in terms of quality.

Given how he performed last season, it is not surprising to see him generate so much interest as he is one of the top arms on the market. The Giants are said to be prioritizing starting pitching this offseason considering that they have several holes to fill.

To their credit, they had made one major splash by re-signing Anthony DeSclafani to a three-year, $36 million pact earlier this week. They are also juggling a couple of other conversations with Alex Wood as well as Alex Cobb.

If the Giants were to sign Stroman, it would give them another ace atop the rotation along with 25-year-old righty Logan Webb. However, it will come at a substantial cost. MLB Trade Rumors is predicting that Stroman will receive a five-year, $110 million deal in free agency.

The Giants can certainly afford that type of contract but it comes with its fair share of risk as well. Nevertheless, the front office has been aggressively surveying the market with the hopes of rebuilding the rotation and they have expressed interest in all areas of free agency. Hopefully, they can strike one more deal before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on December 1.