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SF Giants' predicted Steven Okert reunion would solve a huge bullpen issue

This would be a nice addition.
ByNick San Miguel
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Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Steven Okert (48) walks off the field after he pitches against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Astros relief pitcher Steven Okert (48) walks off the field after he pitches against the Texas Rangers during the seventh inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It’s no secret to anyone that the SF Giants are going to try to improve the bullpen this offseason. President of baseball operations Buster Posey has been very clear on that and now that the 40-man roster is all sorted out, the Giants can turn their attention to upgrading the roster.

MLB Trade Rumors made its predictions for where 50 of the top free agents will land and one of its writers predicted that the Giants will reunite with left-handed reliever Steven Okert. They predict he will receive a two-year $14 million deal and that would be a very smart signing for a Giants team that needs to add another lefty in the bullpen.

Right now, the only lefty reliever the Giants are projected to have in the bullpen next season is Sam Hentges. He did okay in 2026 especially considering he was coming off major injury but San Francisco would be wise to get another southpaw in the mix.

I’ve been partial to JoJo Romero who MLBTR predicts will earn a two-year $13 million deal so basically the same as Okert. But I could get behind a reunion with Okert as well since he’s turned into a really solid bullpen arm since his time with the Giants.

He made his big league debut with San Francisco back in 2016 and had a 3.21 ERA in 14 innings but struggled pretty badly in 2017 to the tune of a 5.67 ERA in 44 appearances. 2018 was better as he had a 1.23 ERA but that was in just 10 appearances.

2019 was spent in Triple-A and he did not make his way back to the majors until 2021 when the Miami Marlins scooped him up. He had a 2.75 ERA in 36 innings that season, a 2.98 ERA in 2022, then had a couple down years in 2023 and 2024 but has bounced back really nicely the last two seasons with the Houston Astros with a collective 2.58 ERA in 2025 and 2026 combined.

Okert fits what the Giants need more of in the bullpen

Okert had 68 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks in 2026 which is exactly what the Giants need in the bullpen. Posey has talked about how limiting walks on the pitching side is going to be a key point of emphasis so Okert’s penchant for pounding the zone would be very welcomed in San Francisco’s bullpen.

The 35-year-old Riverside native doesn’t have a lot of velocity but features a slider that he threw basically two-thirds of the time in 2026 and pairs it with a four-seam fastball that lives in the low-90s. His slider is his best pitch so when he’s on with it he can be really tough to hit.

The Giants should make more additions than just Okert, but he would be a solid lefty to add to the mix which, other than a closer, is probably the biggest need for the bullpen going into 2027. 

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