Breaking: Giants Agree Deal To Sign 6-Time All-Star Hurler to Bolster 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?
Nick San Miguel of FanSided’s Around the Foghorn thinks the Giants should “take a flyer” on the six-time All-Star. “After Zack Greinke’s 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, he will not command a hefty salary in 2024,” he said. “While he played on a one-year $13 million contract last season, the Giants could probably get him for half as much this season if he still wants to pitch.
“The numbers were not pretty for Greinke last season, but he could still provide value for the Giants. He only had 23 walks in 142 and 1/3 innings last year, so the Giants would be getting a guy who can eat up innings and reliably put the ball in the strike zone.”
While Greinke is hardly an optimal fit, San Francisco could certainly use more depth. Robbie Ray, Alex Cobb and Tristan Beck are all expected to start 2024 on the injured list. That leaves Logan Webb, Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, Keaton Winn and Mason Black as the projected Opening Day rotation, per FanGraphs’ Roster Resource.
What About Snell or Montgomery?
The slow-moving free-agent market still has two of the top pitchers still available. Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery have proven to be viable options for the top of any team’s starting rotation. Snell is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and Montgomery is a durable starter who just won the World Series.
However, based on recent statements by Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, another substantial trade should not be expected. While discussing the signing of third baseman Matt Chapman on March 3, Zaidi dismissed the prospect of another major splash. “We discussed all summer and were quite clear that our aim was to continue to graduate some of our young guys. “The offseason is over,” Zaidi stated on Nightengale (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.
Greinke’s Potential Salary Would Fit Right In
Greinke’s market worth in 2024 is estimated by Spotrac to be $10.4 million. According to San Miguel, the Giants may be able to get him for a lower price due to present circumstances. San Francisco has freed up $5.8 million on its 2024 payroll.
Signing Chapman deemed incumbent third baseman J.D. Davis expendable. The player went unclaimed on waivers before being dismissed by the organization. He was anticipated to make $6.9 million by 2024.
They were already preparing to spend the money this year. It seems prudent to reinvest these savings in an uncertain beginning rotation. Whether it’s Greinke or another pitcher, the Giants could need as much depth as they can get. Especially if they can land a six-time All-Star who can regularly pitch.
