After reportedly signing Justin Verlander, the San Francisco Giants now have a full rotation. Could they still add another starting pitcher before the offseason ends?
The short answer: probably not. Adding Verlander likely solidifies the rotation while bumping at least one young Giants pitcher out of a starting role to begin the season.
This situation might not be ideal for pitchers like Kyle Harrison, Hayden Birdsong, or Landen Roupp, but they will still have opportunities to start games as the season progresses.
Heading into the offseason, the Giants’ rotation was more of a “want” than a “need.” They already had a core group of Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks, Harrison, and Birdsong, but the inexperience in the group raised concerns about their ability to sustain a full season.
The Giants initially pursued high-profile arms like Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, either of whom would have been significant upgrades. However, when both signed elsewhere, the team shifted its focus from enhancing the rotation to ensuring sufficient depth. Verlander, with his experience, filled that gap, but his one-year deal and age mean the team can’t expect a heavy workload from him next season.
Although a few intriguing options remain on the market, much of the free-agent pool has been depleted. As a result, the Giants appear set to lean more on their internal pitching depth, which includes Harrison, Birdsong, Roupp, and several others.
Keaton Winn and Tristan Beck, despite injury histories, have potential, with Beck likely serving in a swingman role. Mason Black and Trevor McDonald both showed flashes last season, while Carson Seymour and Carson Ragsdale were recently added to the 40-man roster. Seymour, in particular, has proven capable of handling a significant workload.
Even Carson Whisenhunt, despite a high ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, made strides at Triple-A.
While it’s unlikely that all these arms will remain in the rotation long-term, a few are poised to contribute in 2025. Given this depth, the Giants likely feel confident in their current group. Although a low-risk signing could still happen—since teams can never have too much pitching—the Giants are probably done making significant moves for their rotation this offseason.
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