The case for the SF Giants rolling with the rotation they have in 2025

In light of turncoat Blake Snell signing with the Dodgers, many fans want the SF Giants to be as aggressive as possible in finding a replacement in the rotation. Corbin Burnes is the shiniest object on the market, but there is a case to be made for the Giants rolling with the rotation they have.

First off, we must acknowledge the reality that ownership does not want the Giants to spend a lot this offseason. Payroll is likely to be reduced which means the likelihood of a massive contract to a free agent pitcher like Burnes or Max Fried seems unlikely at the outset.

SF Giants may be okay with the rotation they currently have

Yet, it’s not exactly fun to think about your favorite team being cheap. So let’s do a little reverse psychology. Let’s try and convince ourselves that, actually, the Giants have a good rotation as it is.

I know, I know. You have to squint a little bit, but it is not too far fetched. 

Starting off, Logan Webb is a bonafide ace. He is arguably the most reliable and consistent pitcher in baseball. He is coming off his first All-Star season in 2024 and he pitched over 200 innings yet again. If he can remain his normal self, the Giants have at least one solid rotation piece.

Robbie Ray is going to make $25 million next season which is too much money, but the Giants are stuck with him. Thanks, Farhan. AKA Dodgers spy. But even if he is expensive and will almost certainly not be worth his contract, he can still be a very respectable No. 2 option in the rotation.

Last season he only pitched in 7 games for the Giants and he was not that bad. He sported a 4.70 ERA and that is including a start against the Atlanta Braves where he gave up 5 earned runs and did not make it out of the first inning. 

The big concern with Ray is his health. He has not pitched a full season since 2022 and the fact that he is on the wrong side of 30 does not inspire hope that he will deliver 200 innings next year. But if he can start 25 games for the Giants and have an ERA lower than 4.00, that would not be too bad.

The rest of the rotation can be mixed an matched a bit and the chances are we would see 5 or 6 different pitchers comprise spots 3 through 5 in the rotation if the team decides not to spend on a free agent. Manager Bob Melvin even brought up the number of young options the Giants have as a benefit because it will keep payroll down.

Jordan Hicks looked absolutely dominant to start 2024 as a starter. Maybe some different offseason conditioning will help him make it through the rigors of a full season as a starter. Kyle Harrison has a ton of potential even if he was inconsistent last season. Hayden Birdsong has the stuff to be a future ace if he can limit the walks.

And if any of them falter, the Giants have several legit insurance options like Landen Roupp, Keaton Winn, Tristan Beck, Mason Black, and Carson Whisenhunt, all of whom could potentially earn a rotation spot during Spring Training.

Plus, its more fun to watch young homegrown guys improve and succeed. I would rather watch Birdsong and Harrison develop than watch a known quantity like Michael Lorenzen take innings away from them. No offense to Lorenzen, it just seems like if the Giants do not, or are not willing, to land a big fish free agent pitcher, then there is little point in signing a mid-tier one.

On paper, the Giants' rotation as it currently stands does not look terrible. Would it look better with Burnes in it? Of course. But with that seeming unlikely, fans should prepare themselves for the Giants rolling with what they have.