The San Francisco Giants are finally starting to stir this offseason, and the focus is clear: reinforce the pitching staff. After a quiet start to free agency, the Giants made a pair of notable additions on Tuesday, signaling a shift toward addressing some long-standing roster concerns - particularly in the rotation and bullpen.
The headliner is Adrian Houser, a 32-year-old right-hander who just turned in a solid 2025 campaign split between the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Houser is joining the Giants on a two-year, $22 million deal, with a club option for a third season. It’s a significant commitment for a pitcher expected to slot into the back half of the rotation, but context matters here - San Francisco’s starting depth behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray is thin, and Houser brings much-needed innings and experience.
Last season, Houser logged 125 innings across 21 starts, a workload that will be welcomed in a rotation that struggled to stay healthy and consistent in 2025. He allowed just 10 home runs over that span, a testament to the effectiveness of his sinker-heavy arsenal.
Houser’s game is built on generating ground balls, and his slider - which ticked up to 88 mph this year - gives him a second weapon to keep hitters off balance. He’s not going to overpower lineups, but he knows how to pitch to contact and keep the ball in the yard, which plays especially well in Oracle Park.
This move doesn’t scream “ace,” but it doesn’t have to. What it does signal is that the Giants are willing to pay for stability. And right now, that’s exactly what their rotation needs.
But Houser wasn’t the only arm added to the mix. The Giants also signed right-handed reliever Jason Foley to a one-year deal, according to Shayna Rubin.
Foley, 30, has been a high-leverage option in the past - he racked up 28 saves with the Detroit Tigers in 2024 - but he’s coming off shoulder surgery that will sideline him until around the All-Star break. That’s a long wait, but if Foley can return to form, he could be a valuable midseason boost to a bullpen that’s lacked a true shutdown presence in recent years.
The Giants’ approach this winter has been measured, if not cautious. They reportedly showed interest in Japanese free agent Tatsuya Imai, but ultimately backed off due to concerns about spending heavily on pitching. Instead, they’ve opted for targeted investments - players who can fill specific needs without breaking the bank.
Houser gives them a reliable arm to eat innings and keep the rotation afloat, while Foley is a calculated gamble with potential upside in the second half. Neither move is flashy, but both are practical steps for a team that still has plenty of work to do - especially on the offensive side of the ball.
For now, the Giants are piecing together a pitching staff that can compete. Whether it’s enough to keep pace in a competitive NL West remains to be seen, but Tuesday’s moves show they’re finally getting to work.