After a quiet start to the offseason, the San Francisco Giants have been busy as of late, signing Gold Glove outfielder Harrison Bader and reportedly agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with three-time All-Star Luis Arráez, per ESPN’s Jorge Castillo.
The Giants are bolstering their roster, bringing in players like Bader and Arráez after missing the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. Despite the additions that the Giants have made, they could still use more pitching depth ahead of next season, with their starting rotation projected to include Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, Adrian Houser and possibly Landen Roupp.
San Francisco signed Mahle and Houser earlier this offseason, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicted that the team will continue bolstering its rotation by bringing back 42-year-old star Justin Verlander on another short-term contract.
“A reunion with the Giants remains one of the most likely outcomes for Justin Verlander, even with veterans Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser already added,” Reuter wrote Monday. “The front office has been busy of late, signing Harrison Bader and Luis Arraez to shore up the lineup, and their willingness to spend makes another one-year deal with Verlander a distinct possibility.”
Verlander was solid in his first season with the Giants despite his age, posting a 3.85 ERA with 137 strikeouts while making 29 starts. The 42-year-old may not be the elite hurler he once was, but he is still a three-time Cy Young winner, nine-time All-Star and is basically guaranteed to end up in the Hall of Fame.
If the Giants want to make a return to the playoffs next season, bringing in a veteran like Verlander will only improve their chances down the stretch.
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