Giants Baseball Insider

SF Giants sign reliever Luke Jackson to two-year, $11.5 million

The SF Giants continued trying to upgrade their bullpen, adding Luke Jackson on a two-year deal.

Marc Delucchi

SF Giants sign reliever Luke Jackson to two-year, $11.5 million
SF Giants sign reliever Luke Jackson to two-year, $11.5 million /
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The SF Giants have agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract with right-handed relief pitcher Luke Jackson. The deal was first reported by FanSided's Robert Murray. The contract includes a club option for a third season as well. Jackson will make $3 million in 2023, $6.5 million in 2024, and would earn $7 million in 2025 if the Giants exercise the option in his contract. Otherwise, he would receive a $2 million buyout.

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson (77) throws against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning of game four of the 2021 World Series.
Recent SF Giants acquisition Luke Jackson pitching in the 2021 World Series / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson spent the past six years in Atlanta's organization, emerging as a high-leverage option in the back of the pen. In 2021, Jackson had the best season of his career, posting a 1.98 ERA in 71 appearances with 70 strikeouts and 29 walks in 63.2 innings pitched.

Jackson becomes the latest Giants acquisition with significant health concerns. He missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing UCL surgery in April. While his recovery timeline should not keep him out for much of the 2023 season, it's hard to know how quickly he will be able to return to his previous form.

The Giants bullpen around closer Camilo Doval is starting to take shape with impressive depth. Jackson becomes the Giants second notable bullpen acquisition this offseason, joining southpaw Taylor Rogers. They will likely compete with Tyler Rogers, John Brebbia, and Scott Alexander for important opportunities late in close games.

Jackson is the Giants sixth significant free-agent signing this offseason. San Francisco has already signed outfielder Mitch Haniger, outfielder Michael Conforto, starting pitcher Sean Manaea, pitcher Ross Stripling, and Rogers. The SF Giants were obviously unable to land the star they coveted, but the competition to make the 26-man roster is going to be fierce with more players with big-league experience than spots on the roster.

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Marc Delucchi
MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).

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