Why the SF Giants might now prefer to stick with internal rotation options

After missing out on Corbin Burnes, where do they turn to next? Do they still look to upgrade the rotation? Perhaps, the Giants might now prefer to stick with their internal options.

Why the SF Giants might now prefer to stick with internal rotation options

Burnes represented an obvious upgrade to the rotation. There are a few of those left on the market. They are reportedly in the mix with Jack Flaherty and have been pursuing NPB star pitcher Roki Sasaki.

Flaherty is coming off of a strong year as he posted a 3.17 ERA in 28 starts split between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He does not have the most predictable track record due to injuries and underperformance. There are a pretty wide range of outcomes that Flaherty could demonstrate over the next few seasons. This comes with a fair amount of risk.

Even if the Giants sign Flaherty and he helps improve the rotation, they are still looking up at three teams in just the NL West. Overall, the NL is only getting stronger this offseason, creating an even steeper hill for the Giants to overcome.

On the other hand, Sasaki has a healthy market. The San Diego Padres and Dodgers are considered the frontrunners. The young pitcher would boost the Giants' rotation. The organization does need to thread the needle between recruiting Sasaki and ensuring that they can complete deals with some of their rumored connections in the upcoming international free agency cycle.

The Giants need innings in the rotation. They have Logan Webb and Robbie Ray anchoring this unit along with some inexperienced arms in Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, Jordan Hicks, and Landen Roupp. Perhaps, Carson Whisenhunt will join that group as soon as next season. Maybe even Keaton Winn and Tristan Beck make some starts next season.

The Giants want to avoid the issue that they have encountered so often in recent seasons. That is relying too heavily on bullpen games and openers. This strategy can be quite effective, but it stretches the bullpen thin.

If the approach to the rotation shifts from upgrading to covering innings, then the need changes as well. Flaherty would be a potential upgrade, but maybe they just need to add a swingman like Jakob Junis to give them a little extra insurance. Kyle Gibson and Andrew Heaney each threw 160 innings apiece last season.

Neither one would require a long-term deal nor would they upgrade the rotation but they would give the club insurance.

Perhaps, this is a year where the Giants challenge their younger arms to carry a heavier workload. This is not to say that Kyle Harrison will make 32 starts next season. He could but after completing 124.1 innings last year, the Giants hope that he can reach at least 150 innings next year.

The same could be said for Hayden Birdsong, Landen Roupp, or Carson Whisenhunt. Each pitcher has a relatively low workload threshold at this point and it would behoove the Giants to stretch that threshold in 2025.

If the Giants are not going to meaningfully improve the rotation, then the goal shifts to making sure that they do not block any of the younger pitchers from being able to pitch in the rotation. They should look to improve the rotation but need to be realistic at this point. There aren't too many obvious upgrades, so that approach needs to shift as well.