SF Giants could take a flyer on two veteran pitchers at the end of their career

The SF Giants may be in the market for a starting pitcher especially if Blake Snell departs in free agency. If he does, the Giants could make a play for Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander, two veterans at the end of their career.

As of right now, it seems likely that Snell will leave in free agency. There are going to be a lot of teams competing to sign him and we know that the Giants have struggled to land those big fish in free agency. Who knows, maybe San Francisco is able to bring him back. But for the purposes of this article let's assume he leaves.

Naturally, many would turn their gaze to other big free agents like Corbin Burnes or Max Fried as potential candidates to replace Snell. That sounds great until one remembers they will also cost a ton of money and would also cost the Giants draft compensation because they were extended a qualifying offer.

SF Giants should entertain signing Verlander or Scherzer

That is why it may not be out of the realm of possibility for the Giants to look into signing either Scherzer or Verlander. Neither of them were extended qualifying offers so the Giants would not be giving up any draft picks to sign them.

Of course, neither pitcher is at the height of his powers anymore. In 2024, Verlander had an ERA of 5.48 in 90 and 1/3 innings across 17 starts for the Houston Astros in a year where he battled injury. Scherzer had a 3.95 ERA in 43 and 1/3 innings across 9 starts for the Texas Rangers. Scherzer also dealt with injuries.

With Verlander at age 41 and Scherzer at age 40, the Giants should only sign them to a one-year deal. With their extensive injury histories, anything more than that would not be wise.

The Giants have made a move like this in the past. In 2009 they signed Randy Johnson to a one-year contract at the end of his career when he was in his age 45 season.

Signing Verlander or Scherzer could be beneficial by providing young pitchers like Hayden Birdsong and Kyle Harrison with a mentor figure who they could learn from.

It may not be the likeliest solution if Snell departs, but it could be an option as the team tries to fill the hole that Snell is likely to leave in the rotation.