Breaking: Giants Are Closing In On Deal To Sign $10.4 Million All-Star Hurler to Bolster 2024 Starting Rotation

The San Francisco Giants were quite busy upgrading their 2024 roster this winter. While the offense looks like it could be much improved compared to last season, the starting rotation still has plenty of questions. Could veteran hurler Zack Greinke be an option to bolster the staff ahead of Opening Day?

The six-time All-Star, in Nick San Miguel’s opinion of FanSided’s Around the Foghorn, the Giants should “take a flyer.” “Zack Greinke will not command a hefty salary in 2024 after his rough 2023 in which he has a record of 2-15 and a 5.06 ERA, albeit on a poor team in the Kansas City Royals,” the guy stated. “He signed a one-year contract worth $13 million with the Giants last season, but if he wants to pitch, they could probably get him for half that amount again this year.”

Greinke’s results from the previous season weren’t great, but the Giants could still use his services. The Giants would be getting a man who can gobble up innings and consistently put the ball in the strike zone because he only had 23 walks in 142 and 1/3 innings the previous season.

Greinke is not the best fit, but San Francisco could use some depth. Tristan Beck, Alex Cobb, and Robbie Ray are all anticipated to be on the injured list at the beginning of 2024. According to FanGraphs’ Roster Resource, Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Keaton Winn, and Mason Black make up the anticipated Opening Day rotation.

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What About Snell or Montgomery?

Two of the best pitchers are still available in the sluggish free-agent market. Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell have established themselves as respectable choices at the front of any team’s starting lineup. Montgomery is a reliable starter who recently won the World Series, while Snell is a two-time winner of the Cy Young Award.

However, another big deal shouldn’t be anticipated based on recent remarks made by Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations for the Giants. Zaidi dampened the prospects of one more major splash on March 3rd, when talking about the signing of third baseman Matt Chapman. “We have been quite clear throughout the offseason about our intention to keep graduating some of our younger players. As far as I’m concerned, the offseason is actually done,” Zaidi stated on Nightengale on X (previously Twitter).

That hasn’t stopped San Francisco from being linked to Snell as he lingers on the open market. So, the possibility is still there if the situation becomes right. It just doesn’t seem likely.

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Greinke’s Potential Salary Would Fit Right In

Greinke’s 2024 market value is estimated by Spotrac to be $10.4 million. However, San Miguel pointed out that given the current circumstances, the Giants could probably get him for a lot less. It’s important to remember that San Francisco just released $5.8 million from its 2024 payroll.

J.D. Davis, the starting third baseman, became expendable after Chapman was signed. He was released by the organization after going unclaimed on waivers. In 2024, he was projected to make $6.9 million. Rather, the Giants paid him a termination payment of $1.1 million, saving them money.

They had previously decided how they would use that cash this year. Reinvesting these savings in an erratic starting rotation might make sense. The Giants could use all the depth they can get, whether it’s Greinke or another pitcher. especially if they can sign a six-time All-Star pitcher who is dependable on the mound.