Potential SF Giants target plans to pitch in 2026

Since hiring Tony Vitello as their new manager, the SF Giants have been connected to Max Scherzer, but will he pitch in 2026? The future Hall of Famer told Jesse Rogers of ESPNt that he has not thrown his last pitch.

Potential SF Giants target plans to pitch in 2026

Of course, this came on the heels of a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series. Scherzer started that game and pitched well, allowing just one earned run in 4.1 frames.

The veteran pitcher departed with a 3-1 lead, but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead. The Dodgers pushed the game into extra innings, and secured a 5-4 win to clinch their second World Series title in as many years. 

The Giants have a need for starting pitching. Logan Webb and Robbie Ray will round out the front of the rotation. Webb continues to be one of the top workhorses in baseball, and should merit some NL Cy Young votes.

On the other hand, Ray had a resurgent campaign in the first half, pitching to a 2.65 ERA in 20 starts. He earned an NL All-Star bid, but struggled to a 5.54 ERA in 12 starts in the second half. He likely dealt with fatigue down the stretch.

Landen Roupp, Hayden Birdsong, and Trevor McDonald will have a chance to round out the back of the rotation. Roupp threw well enough to be penciled into the Opening Day rotation.

The Giants will need to add some depth to lengthen the rotation. More than likely, they will need to make at least two notable additions.

Scherzer could be one of those options. The Giants have tried to recreate the 2014 Detroit Tigers pitching staff in recent years, so why stop now? Ray, Justin Verlander, and Drew Smyly have put on a Giants uniform recently. Maybe they can try and pull David Price out of retirement?

It is hard to identify the traits that the current Giants front office likes in a pitcher. They liked the leadership that Verlander brought to the table, and the veteran hurler proved to still have something left in the tank.

New Giants manager Tony Vitello and his eventual coaching staff could have an influence in roster building, which would lead to an immediate connection to Scherzer. Vitello coached Scherzer at the University of Missouri, and the latter has been a supporter of the new Giants manager since then.

In 2025, the 18-year veteran pitched to a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts with the Blue Jays. He may not be the ace he once was, but it sounds like he wants at least one more chance to show what he can do.