The San Francisco Giants are not expected to pursue Tatsuya Imai or any other top-tier starting pitcher this offseason, according to team sources familiar with the club’s winter plans. Instead, the organization appears focused on short-term, lower-risk contracts, a strategy that may disappoint fans hoping for a splash but leaves the door open for creative mid-tier additions.
While high-end arms like Michael King, Framber Valdez, and Ranger Suárez remain available, the Giants’ reluctance to authorize nine-figure deals suggests they might target pitchers with more modest price tags. This doesn’t eliminate the possibility of impactful additions, but it narrows the scope of their search.
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One potential fit is right-hander Lucas Giolito. The veteran was a stabilizing force for the Red Sox in 2025, delivering valuable innings down the stretch and finishing with a 10–4 record and a 3.41 ERA, one of his strongest seasons in recent memory. Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly environment, combined with the Giants’ elite infield defense featuring Matt Chapman and Willy Adames, could provide an ideal landing spot for Giolito as he seeks to re-establish long-term value.
Giolito is also unlikely to command a major financial commitment this offseason. He recently underwent two significant elbow injuries: a UCL surgery that ended his 2024 campaign and a separate late-season issue in 2025. These concerns may keep his market in a range more consistent with the Giants’ current spending strategy.
While San Francisco may not be in the running for the offseason’s most expensive arms, they still have opportunities to bolster their rotation without making long-term financial bets. Their success will depend on how creative the front office is willing to be and how far they can stretch value in a pitching market still full of intriguing mid-tier options.
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