The San Francisco Giants have made some moves this offseason, but there is still plenty of time until the Opening Day festivities begin.
San Francisco has inked pitchers Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle to free agent deals this winter, and this week’s signing of Gold Glove Award-winning center fielder Harrison Bader seemingly put the finishing touches on the offseason–or did it?
While the Giants aren’t expected to go big-fish hunting for the remaining top arms on the free agent market, like lefty Framber Valdez or right-hander Zach Gallen, they could bring in one of the many remaining veteran pitchers who are available and will command less financial commitments.
Following Bader’s signing, the San Francisco Giants have $236.1 million committed to their roster for the 2026 season, placing them 11th among MLB teams.
This leaves the Giants with nearly $8 million of space from the luxury tax threshold, meaning one more addition could be in the cards.
If Posey is to bring in another player, it may be a starting pitcher, one who can join ace Logan Webb, All-Star left-hander Robbie Ray, Houser, and Mahle.
Outside of those four proven starters, San Francisco has Landon Roupp (3.80 ERA in 2025), top prospect Carson Whisenhunt, and Hayden Birdsong as in-house options.
In case Posey opts to look for external help, here are some potential free agent options for the San Francisco Giants as Spring Training nears.
Justin Verlander back to the Astros? 👀
If Jim Crane wanted it to happen, it likely would’ve by now, says @Chandler_Rome of @Crush_City_Pod. pic.twitter.com/GSlbDIHUPi
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 27, 2026
Justin Verlander
Over 29 starts with the San Francisco Giants during the 2025 season–his most games started in a single season since 2019–Justin Verlander posted a record of 4-11.
Although Verlander struggled to begin the season (4.53 ERA through his first 18 starts), he turned a corner to end the season, posting a 3-3 record and 2.87 ERA over his final 11 starts of the regular season.
The right-hander struck out 137 batters over 152 innings while reducing his HR rate from 3.8% in 2024 to 2.4% in 2025.
Justin Verlander, who was on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Giants, has said he “definitely” wants to pitch in 2026–his age-43 season and 21st big-league campaign.
Max Scherzer
Earlier this offseason, ESPN’s Buster Olney shared that there is a ‘presumption’ the three-time Cy Young Award winner could join the Giants, pairing him with recently-hired manager Tony Vitello, who coached Scherzer during Scherzer’s college days at Missouri.
Scherzer, 41, just put the finishing touches on his 18th big-league season with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he started Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander looked strong over 4.1 innings, allowing just one run while striking out three before exiting the game with a 3-1 lead.
Toronto went on to lose in extra innings as the Dodgers claimed a second-straight title.
Over three postseason starts this fall, Max Scherzer pitched to the tune of a 1-0 record and 3.77 ERA over three starts (one in the ALCS, two in the World Series).
Anyone in the market for a future Hall of Famer?@jonmorosi joins #MLBTonight with the latest on Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. pic.twitter.com/4Q4L1jqVln
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 27, 2026
The eight-time All-Star struggled in 2025, going 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA and striking out just 82 batters over 85 innings (17 starts).
Max Scherzer struggled with giving up the longball in 2025, posting a career-worst 5.3% HR rate–but playing at the pitcher-friendly Oracle Park could play in his favor if he signs with the San Francisco Giants.
Similar to Scherzer, veteran pitcher Justin Verlander inked a deal with San Francisco last offseason after posting the worst HR rate of his career during the 2024 season with Houston. Verlander reduced his HR rate from 3.8 to 2.4 in 2025 while also reducing his ERA from 5.48 to 3.85 over 29 starts in orange and black.
Chris Bassitt
Bassitt, 36, finds himself in a similar spot to Verlander and Scherzer as he enters the final chapter of his big-league career.
An All-Star during the 2021 season while pitching for the Athletics, Bassitt is coming off a three-year, $63 million deal that was signed with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2023.
The right-hander, who will turn 37 this February, posted a record of 11-9 to go along with a 3.96 ERA over 32 starts.
Bassitt has started at least 27 games in each of the past five seasons, going a minimum of 157 innings in those years.
Other remaining MLB free agent pitchers:
LHP – Jordan Montgomery
RHP – Nick Martinez
RHP – Lucas Gioloto
RHP – Frankie Montas
RHP – Jon Gray
RHP – Miles Mikola
LHP – Patrick Corbin
LHP – Nestor Cortes
More San Francisco Giants content from Sactown Sports
If you thought the San Francisco Giants and Harrison Bader seemed like a perfect fit, you aren’t alone.
Bader, a slick-fielding center fielder who also had a career year at the plate in 2025, inked a two-year, $20.5 million deal to join a Giants lineup that was lacking an everyday center fielder.
Shortly following the news, Bader joined The Show podcast with MLB insiders Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman to share his thoughts on his new squad.
Harrison Bader on why the Giants are ‘a perfect fit’ for him
Upcoming San Francisco Giants & MLB Offseason Schedule
Early-January – MLB Arbitration Negotiations
Mid-February – Pitchers & Catchers report for Spring Training
Saturday, February 21st – @ Seattle Mariners (Spring Training Opener)
Wednesday, March 25th – vs. New York Yankees – 5:05 PM PT (Opening Day)
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