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The San Francisco Giants find themselves back at the drawing board after another playoff absence in 2026, prompting the organization to reassess its roster construction. Despite a promising offseason last year, the moves failed to yield the desired results, leaving the front office searching for answers on multiple fronts.
San Francisco struggled on both sides of the ball, with the offense and pitching staff each presenting significant challenges. As president of baseball operations Buster Posey looks to rebuild this winter, pitching has once again emerged as a top priority. Posey recognizes that success in the majors hinges on having quality arms throughout the roster.
However, attracting top free agents to the Bay Area has proven difficult for the Giants in recent years. The team may need to overpay to secure talent as it aims to return to the postseason after a multi-year drought.
Giants Linked to All-Star Left-Hander
One name that could provide a substantial boost is left-hander Shota Imanaga, who is set to hit free agency this offseason. Imanaga is not expected to re-sign with the Chicago Cubs, creating an opportunity for a club like San Francisco to swoop in. MLB Trade Rumors has predicted that Imanaga will land with the Giants, with three different analysts projecting a deal with San Francisco. The contract projection stands at two years and $40 million, a figure that seems reasonable given his production.
Imanaga brings plenty to the table. Over three major league seasons since arriving from Japan, he has established himself as a durable innings-eater who misses bats and limits walks at above-average rates. In just under 500 innings, he has posted a 3.45 ERA, a 23.6% strikeout rate, and an elite 4.5% walk rate.
So why the relatively modest contract prediction? Home runs, according to MLB Trade Rumors. There is concern about the long balls Imanaga surrenders, which could suppress his free-agent market and lead to a short-term deal. With the Cubs last season, the veteran recorded a 3.77 ERA over 32 starts, throwing 174.1 innings and striking out 174 batters.
Should the Giants Make This Signing?
While the home run issues are real, pitching in a park like Oracle could help. Oracle Park is widely regarded as a pitcher-friendly venue, which could help keep the ball in the yard for the left-hander. Imanaga is also capable of delivering strong outings, and the Giants desperately need rotation help. The veteran could solidify the San Francisco rotation and provide an innings-eating presence.
Imanaga may not be a perfect pitcher, but he would be a solid starting point for a Giants team that lacked quality arms this year. Slating him behind ace Logan Webb would be a sensible way for San Francisco to begin building out its rotation, and the veteran could thrive with the team next season.
Originally reported by yahoo.