The San Francisco Giants have taken a measured approach in their search for a veteran free-agent starting pitcher after missing out on Corbin Burnes. Despite making an offer, they couldn’t top the six-year, $210 million deal Burnes signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
As things stand, the Giants’ projected rotation for the upcoming season includes Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Hayden Birdsong, and Kyle Harrison. The fifth spot remains uncertain, with several young pitchers in contention, including Landon Roupp, Mason Black, and Keaton Winn.
Still, the question lingers: Is pursuing a veteran for that final rotation slot a realistic option? If so, who might fit the bill?
In a recent MLB.com feature, beat writers identified realistic free-agent targets for their teams’ key needs. San Francisco’s beat writer highlighted Max Scherzer as a potential option for the Giants’ rotation.
Scherzer is coming off a challenging 2024 season, during which he made only nine starts, finishing 2-4 with a 3.95 ERA. He played a pivotal role in helping the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series as a trade-deadline acquisition but dealt with a series of injuries.
A neck issue sidelined him late in 2023, and while he returned for the World Series, he re-aggravated the injury during his sole appearance. This led to offseason surgery for a herniated disc, followed by a nerve-related setback in 2024, forcing him to adjust his pitching mechanics and ultimately finish the season on the injured list.
Given Scherzer’s health history, medical evaluations would be critical before any signing. Even on a one-year deal, he would likely command a significant salary. However, his accolades — including three Cy Young Awards, two World Series titles (the other with the 2019 Washington Nationals), and eight All-Star selections — underscore his potential value.
Before his injuries in 2023, Scherzer posted a 13-6 record with a 3.77 ERA, adding to his career total of 216 wins, a 3.16 ERA, and 3,407 strikeouts. He is one of only 19 pitchers in MLB history to surpass 3,000 strikeouts.
For the Giants, the prospect of a healthy Scherzer on a short-term deal seems plausible and could provide stability and veteran leadership. The question remains whether the gamble on his recovery is worth the investment.
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