Should the SF Giants take a flier on former Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff?

Should the SF Giants take a Flier on Former Brewers Ace Brandon Woodruff?

2. The Injury and Financial Risk

However, the elephant in the Woodruff conversation comes in the form of a shoulder injury that will keep the veteran on the sidelines for most, if not all of the 2024 MLB season. This means that whichever team signs him, will do so on a multiyear deal with the 2025 campaign in their crosshairs. As unfortunate as it is for Milwaukee, Woodruff, and a potential suitor like the Giants, it would be unwise to count on his services at any point this upcoming season.

Yet, Woodruff retains value, particularly for a large-market club like SF, who have the payroll flexibility to consider a 2-3 year contract without sacrificing their ability to pursue any of the aforementioned superstar free agents.

Some have speculated that adding him could cast as much as $20 million per season on a short-term deal. While this is a high price point, it is worth the respective gamble for a team like San Fransisco.

Best case scenario, Woodruff recovers well from his surgery, returns in the last few weeks of the season, and is able to pitch in the postseason (in any capacity). This places pressure on the Giants to make the playoffs without his services. But the potential alone is worth the risk.

Worse case, the former Brewer is truly out the entire season, and we see he and Webb form a formidable 1-2 punch that would rival the best the Bay Area has seen since the Tim Lincecum/Matt Cain tandem. On a more serious note, there is a very real possibility that Woodruff does not fully rebound from the injury. Hopefully, it does not happen, but shoulder injuries for pitchers can be very scary.