SF Giants Offseason Pitching Targets: Who Should Buster Posey Go After to Bolster the Rotation and Bullpen?
The Giants’ offseason blueprint is starting to take shape - and it’s not exactly a mystery where the focus lies. After a 2025 season that exposed both the top-end and depth issues in the rotation, and a bullpen that struggled to shut the door late in games, San Francisco enters the winter with a clear to-do list: add starting pitching and find a reliable closer.
With Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp the only clear-cut names penciled into the rotation, Buster Posey and his front office need to get aggressive if they want to keep pace in a division that doesn’t wait for anyone. Let’s break down the arms that make the most sense for the Giants as they look to fortify the staff heading into 2026.
STARTING PITCHERS TO WATCH
Zac Gallen: A Bounce-Back Bet
Zac Gallen’s 2025 wasn’t pretty - a 4.83 ERA and a 13-15 record mark a significant step back from his All-Star form in 2023. But this is exactly the kind of arm that could thrive with a change of scenery.
Gallen still has the tools: a deep pitch mix, solid command, and a history of missing bats. The trend line on his ERA isn’t ideal, but Oracle Park is a pitcher’s haven, and the Giants have a track record of helping starters rediscover their form.
He won’t command the same kind of money as the top-tier names, which could make him a high-upside addition on a multi-year deal that doesn’t break the bank. If the Giants believe in their pitching infrastructure, Gallen is a gamble worth taking.
Framber Valdez: The Durable Workhorse
If the Giants want stability, Framber Valdez checks every box. He’s been one of the most reliable innings-eaters in the game and fits the mold of recent veteran additions like Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander - experienced arms with high ground-ball rates who can anchor a rotation.
After declining Houston’s qualifying offer, Valdez is expected to land a sizable deal - something in the four-year, $80 million range. And with the market heating up after the Dylan Cease signing, prices may climb even higher. At 32, he’s not a long-term solution, but his ability to go deep into games and limit damage with grounders makes him a near-perfect fit for Oracle Park.
Ranger Suárez: Solid, Steady, and Still Climbing
Ranger Suárez isn’t flashy, but he’s exactly the kind of mid-rotation arm that winning teams need. Coming off a strong 2025 campaign (3.20 ERA, 12-8 record), Suárez hit a career-high in innings and showed he can handle a full-season workload.
He turned down a one-year offer from the Phillies, signaling he’s looking for long-term security. For the Giants, that could be an opportunity to lock in a dependable lefty who doesn’t cost top-of-the-market dollars. He’s not an ace, but he’s the kind of pitcher who can give you quality starts every fifth day - and that matters.
Tatsuya Imai: The Wild Card with Ace Potential
Tatsuya Imai is the name everyone’s talking about - and for good reason. The Japanese right-hander brings electric stuff, a bulldog mentality, and a reputation for pounding the zone and generating ground balls. He’s built for the big stage, and his mindset - reportedly centered around taking down the Dodgers - makes him an even more intriguing target for San Francisco.
But here’s the catch: he’s never thrown a pitch in the majors, and the price tag is steep. We’re talking $150 million territory.
Still, with several recent success stories of NPB pitchers transitioning to MLB, the upside is real. If the Giants believe Imai can be a top-of-the-rotation guy, this is the type of bold move that could define Posey’s tenure.
CLOSING THE DOOR: CLOSER OPTIONS
The Camilo Doval trade to the Yankees was one of the more polarizing moves of the year, but the return was strong - and the Giants made a calculated bet that they could find a replacement. So far, that replacement hasn’t emerged. Randy Rodríguez and Ryan Walker showed flashes, but neither locked down the role with any consistency.
For a team that had an average margin of victory of just 0.13 runs in 2025, the margin for error in the ninth inning is razor-thin. The Giants need a closer who can slam the door - not leave it cracked open.
Edwin Díaz: The Shutdown Solution
If the Giants want to make a statement, Edwin Díaz is the guy. He’s the kind of closer who doesn’t just protect leads - he ends games with authority. In 2025, he posted a 1.90 ERA and racked up 28 saves, reminding everyone of his elite strikeout ability and late-inning dominance.
Díaz would bring a swagger and presence to the back end of the bullpen that the Giants have missed since Doval’s departure. The price?
Likely around $20 million per year. But for a team that played so many tight games last season, paying for elite ninth-inning stability could be worth every penny.
Devin Williams: A Buy-Low Candidate with High Ceiling
Devin Williams had a rough 2025, no question about it. But before that? He was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, with a sub-3.00 ERA every season from 2019 through 2024.
Pitching in a hitter-friendly park didn’t help him last year, and Oracle Park could be just the kind of environment where he bounces back. If the Giants can get him at a discount, this could be one of the savvier moves of the offseason. Williams still has elite stuff - and he’ll enter 2026 with something to prove.
OTHER NEEDS? NOT SO FAST
There’s been some chatter about second base and right field, but the Giants may be better off letting their young talent continue to develop. Drew Gilbert and Casey Schmitt are both intriguing pieces, and Schmitt, in particular, deserves a real shot to start the year. With over two seasons of big-league experience, it’s time to find out exactly what they’ve got in him.
As for second base, the market isn’t exactly brimming with game-changers. Jorge Polanco is the top option, and while he had a quiet regular season, he did flash in the postseason. Still, it’s not a position that demands a major splash right now.
BOTTOM LINE: TIME TO BOLSTER THE STAFF
Buster Posey’s front office has already shown it’s not afraid to make bold moves - and so far, the early returns have been promising. But if the Giants want to take the next step in 2026, they’ll need to swing big on the pitching front.
Whether it’s a high-upside starter like Gallen, a proven workhorse like Valdez, or a potential ace in Imai, the rotation needs reinforcements. And in the bullpen, adding a shutdown closer like Díaz or a bounce-back candidate like Williams could make all the difference in those tight, late-inning battles.
Posey has laid a strong foundation. Now it’s time to build on it - and that starts with the arms.