The San Francisco Giants are heading into Spring Training with an improved roster compared to last year, which marks progress in their rebuilding efforts. However, while the team looks better on paper, there’s still room for further improvement if they want to seriously contend in the competitive National League West. As it stands, the Giants appear to be a Wild Card contender, which isn’t necessarily a bad position, especially given the strength of the NL West. A Wild Card berth could still pave the way for a deep playoff run, but the ultimate goal for San Francisco should be to win the division. Achieving this would likely require several strategic moves, and one or two additional acquisitions before the season could make a significant difference.
Among the areas that still need attention, pitching stands out as a top priority. One name the Giants should consider is Jack Flaherty, who had an impressive 2024 season. The right-handed pitcher struck out 194 batters in 162 innings while posting a solid 3.17 ERA. Flaherty was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers midseason and played a key role in their World Series victory, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-pressure situations during the postseason.
Although the Dodgers have the option to re-sign their former players, all signs point to Flaherty pitching for a new team in 2025, and Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report predicts that team could be the Giants. Miller suggests Flaherty could land a three-year, $63 million deal with San Francisco. Given that the Giants missed out on high-profile targets like Corbin Burnes and have made several short-term moves in recent years, they might be looking to make a bigger investment in a pitcher of Flaherty’s caliber. Despite a payroll of $173 million, the Giants still have financial flexibility after adding Justin Verlander, making a $21 million average annual value (AAV) for Flaherty a reasonable and competitive offer in the current pitching market.
However, a potential concern for the Giants is Flaherty’s past back injury, which has raised some questions about his long-term durability. While he performed well in both the regular season and postseason, back issues can be unpredictable, and the last thing the Giants want is to sign a player who could struggle to stay healthy. Still, at $21 million per year, it may be a risk worth taking, especially considering Flaherty’s ability to thrive in big moments. Adding him to the rotation could make the Giants even more competitive in the NL West and help strengthen their push for the division title.
