The SF Giants are expected to spend the offseason reshaping their bullpen, and one predicted move would check a major box right away: a reunion with Steven Okert.
MLB Trade Rumors projected that San Francisco will land the left-handed reliever on a two-year, $14 million deal. For a Giants club that needs another lefty in the mix, that would be a sensible fit.
At the moment, Sam Hentges is the only projected left-handed reliever in the bullpen for next season. He was solid in 2026, especially considering he was working back from a major injury, but the Giants would still be wise to add another southpaw.
JoJo Romero is another name that has been tied to a similar price range, with MLBTR projecting him for a two-year, $13 million deal. Still, Okert makes plenty of sense too, especially given how much better he has become since his first run in San Francisco.
Okert debuted with the Giants in 2016 and posted a 3.21 ERA in 14 innings. The next year was rougher, as he put up a 5.67 ERA in 44 appearances. He bounced back in 2018 with a 1.23 ERA, though that came in just 10 appearances.
After spending 2019 in Triple-A, he didn’t return to the majors until 2021 with the Miami Marlins. He logged a 2.75 ERA in 36 innings that season, followed by a 2.98 ERA in 2022. His next two seasons were down years, but he has since turned things around with the Houston Astros, posting a combined 2.58 ERA across 2025 and 2026.
What makes Okert especially appealing for San Francisco is the way he attacks hitters. In 2026, he struck out 68 batters and walked only 14, exactly the kind of profile the Giants need more of. Buster Posey has already made it clear that limiting walks will be a priority on the pitching side, and Okert’s ability to throw strikes would fit that emphasis.
The 35-year-old Riverside native doesn’t bring overpowering velocity, but he leans heavily on a slider that he threw nearly two-thirds of the time in 2026, along with a four-seam fastball that sits in the low-90s. The slider is his best weapon, and when it’s working, he can be a tough at-bat for anyone.
The Giants still need more than one addition to the bullpen, but Okert would give them a useful left-handed option and address one of their biggest needs heading into 2027.
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