As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to set the pace in the NL West, the rest of the division is left playing catch-up. And let’s be honest - if you’re not keeping up, you’re falling out of the playoff picture fast. That’s the reality for the Giants, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Rockies, all of whom have spent aggressively in recent years trying to close the gap on the perennial powerhouse in L.A.
For the San Francisco Giants, that effort has included some serious investment. Under the leadership of former MVP-turned-executive Buster Posey, the front office hasn’t been shy about opening the checkbook.
Big-money deals for Jun Hoo Lee and Willy Adames show the Giants are willing to spend to get better. But when it comes to bolstering the starting rotation - arguably the team’s biggest area of need - the approach may be more conservative.
One name that’s been floated as a potential fit in San Francisco is Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai. At 27, Imai is widely considered the top Japanese pitcher available this offseason.
With a mid-to-upper 90s fastball and a sharp splitter-slider combo, he brings the kind of arsenal that could immediately elevate a rotation. He’s not quite in the same tier as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he’s not far off - and he’s definitely a name that’s been on the radar of teams looking for high-end pitching help.
On paper, the Giants make sense as a landing spot. Oracle Park is pitcher-friendly, San Francisco has a strong history with Japanese players, and the West Coast location offers a natural connection. But according to multiple reports, including one from The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly, the Giants may not be willing to meet the price tag it would take to land Imai.
That’s a telling sign, especially when you consider the current state of their rotation. Logan Webb is the anchor, and if Robbie Ray returns healthy, he gives them a solid No.
- Landen Roupp is a promising young arm, but he’s still unproven over a full season.
Beyond that, the depth just isn’t there. Realistically, the Giants need at least two more reliable starters before Opening Day rolls around if they want to feel even somewhat confident about their staff.
And that’s where the financial restraint becomes a concern. The Giants have reportedly been more active in conversations with mid-tier pitchers, rather than chasing the top of the market. That likely rules out not just Imai, but also arms like Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez - pitchers who could step in and immediately stabilize a rotation.
That raises a bigger question: can the Giants realistically contend for second place in the division - let alone challenge the Dodgers - without making a splash in the pitching market? Because right now, it’s hard to see how they close that gap with internal options alone.
As for Imai, his desire to “take down the Dodgers” has been well documented. But if the Giants aren’t ready to spend at that level, he may have to do it from a different uniform - and possibly a different division.
For San Francisco, this offseason is shaping up to be a defining one. The lineup is getting stronger.
The front office is active. But unless the pitching staff gets the reinforcements it needs, the Giants might be stuck in neutral while the Dodgers keep pulling away.