The San Francisco Giants could be targeting Michael Kopech this offseason as a key bullpen upgrade, and the idea is generating buzz across MLB rumor circles and analytics sites.
With the Giants seeking to bolster their late-inning relief options and add high-leverage arms that can close out games, Kopech fits the profile of a power reliever who can make an immediate impact.
As free agency discussions heat up, baseball fans are searching for Giants bullpen targets and potential Michael Kopech signing updates in 2026. San Francisco’s current roster has shown flashes of bullpen instability, making late-game pitching a priority this winter. Kopech’s strikeout ability and postseason experience could be just what the Giants need to push deeper into October.
*Prediction*
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This past season was an injury-plagued mess for Michael Kopech, but the underlying body of work remains impressive enough to make him a valuable bullpen addition for a contender like the Giants.
Kopech missed the first two months of the 2025 season due to arm inflammation, delaying his opportunity to contribute early. When he finally returned in early June, he looked dominant, tossing seven scoreless innings with five holds across eight relief outings.
Unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the end of June before landing back on the injured list with a torn meniscus. When he returned again in early September, his season was cut short once more due to knee inflammation. While that injury history might scare some teams off, the underlying results Kopech has posted when healthy suggest he’s a high-impact reliever worth pursuing.
From the time the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Kopech at the 2024 trade deadline through the end of the 2025 season, he made 48 appearances, including 10 in the 2024 postseason, and posted a 1.84 ERA with a 10.4 K/9, five wins, 17 holds, six saves, and no blown saves or losses.
Those numbers highlight just how effective Kopech can be when he is on the mound, and they echo the profile of a reliever who can handle high-leverage innings and strikeout-prone matchups with ease.
For a team like the Giants that has shown inconsistencies in closing games, adding a flame-throwing arm with Kopech’s track record could be transformational.
Michael Kopech previously signed a three-year contract with the Chicago White Sox before being traded to the Dodgers, and while his most recent season was limited by injury, he still finished with solid production when available.
In 2025, Kopech logged 32 innings with a 2.12 ERA, 37 strikeouts, eight holds, and three saves, proving that his elite strikeout ability still translates even after multiple setbacks. These are the kinds of numbers that make front offices take notice, especially when building a bullpen around late-inning dominance.
The San Francisco Giants have been active this offseason, addressing needs on both the position-player side and in starting pitching. However, the bullpen remains an area where upgrades could push the team from playoff hopeful to World Series contender.
Kopech’s combination of elite strikeout stuff, postseason experience, and proven hold/saves numbers makes him a compelling fit for a Giants team that needs high-leverage arms.
With the market for relievers heating up, Michael Kopech could end up being one of the more impactful free agents this winter, and the San Francisco Giants would be wise to pursue his talents as they look to strengthen their bullpen for the 2026 season.