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SF Giants rumors: Farhan Zaidi expects to add at least one starting pitcher this offseason

SF Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi says the front office plans to add at least one starting pitcher this offseason.

Marc Delucchi

SF Giants rumors: Farhan Zaidi expects to add at least one starting pitcher this offseason
SF Giants rumors: Farhan Zaidi expects to add at least one starting pitcher this offseason /
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The SF Giants had one of the best starting rotations in MLB this season. However, with ace Carlos Rodón set to become a free agent, the team will face some difficult decisions this offseason. Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi told reporters in a Zoom press conference on Friday that he expects the team to sign another starter this offseason.

SF Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon throws a pitch. (2022)
SF Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodón throws a pitch. (2022) / Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

"We fully expect Carlos to opt-out, and that will create an opening in our rotation," Zaidi said. "So, I would anticipate us being in the market for at least one starter. Maybe it is just one. But at least one."

While the Giants technically have five veteran starters under team control through next season in Logan Webb, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, and Jakob Junis,

Zaidi acknowledged DeSclafani's return from injury as one factor that lessens the team's needs in the rotation. He also said he thinks Junis would be best in a long-reliever role next season, something that aligned with our recent findings looking into Junis' advanced numbers.

"Anthony DeSclafani will be coming back," Zaidi said. "Jake Junis did a great job for us this year, but I think in a perfect world we view him as a swingman who can start when the need arises but can also eat up two to three innings at a time out of the bullpen."

Later in the press conference, Zaidi said there is "mutual interest" in a reunion with Rodón, suggesting he could be the lone starter the team signs. However, one of the best starting pitchers expected to be available this offseason, the Giants will surely have competition for his services.

The SF Giants are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 2022 season and return to the playoffs in 2023. According to his press conference on Friday, Giants president of baseball operations believes adding another starting pitcher this offseason is a key component to achieving that goal.

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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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