The San Francisco Giants are making it clear: they’re not going to break the bank for Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai. While early offseason chatter linked Imai to both the Dodgers and the Giants, the latest reports suggest San Francisco is stepping away from the sweepstakes.
And it’s not about talent - it’s about price. At 28, Imai is eyeing a long-term, high-dollar deal, and the Giants’ front office, led by Buster Posey, appears unwilling to commit to a nine-figure contract.
Instead, the Giants are shifting their focus to a name they know all too well: Zac Gallen. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Gallen has become the team’s top target in the starting pitcher market, and conversations are already underway.
“He’s been a thorn in the Giants’ side,” Slusser said on the Splash Hit Territory podcast. “He’s a guy they could add - not on a long-term deal - but someone who knows the NL West and fits into what they’re building.”
And she’s not wrong. Gallen has spent the last seven seasons in the National League West, carving up lineups with the Arizona Diamondbacks after being dealt from the Marlins in 2019.
He was an All-Star in 2023 and finished third in the Cy Young voting that same year - a season where he looked every bit like a frontline ace. But 2025 was a different story.
Gallen struggled to a 13-15 record with a 4.83 ERA. Still, there’s a silver lining: his durability.
He’s logged over 180 innings in three of the last four seasons, and that kind of workload matters - especially for a Giants rotation that already features Logan Webb and Robbie Ray at the top.
That’s the key here. With Webb and Ray anchoring the staff and a few promising young arms on the rise, the Giants don’t necessarily need another ace. What they need is a reliable, experienced arm who can slot in and eat innings - and Gallen checks a lot of those boxes.
Slusser also mentioned a few other names the Giants are eyeing: Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan, and Merrill Kelly. None are headline-grabbers, but all bring something valuable to the table.
“I’d love to have Freddy Peralta and Joe Ryan. Absolutely,” Slusser said.
“I really don’t think you’ve got to go and get Imai. I really don’t.”
Peralta hit the market after the Brewers declined his $8 million option for 2026, making him an intriguing option for teams looking for high-upside arms at a reasonable cost. Joe Ryan, meanwhile, is still under club control with the Twins for two more seasons and just earned his first All-Star nod.
And then there’s Merrill Kelly - a familiar NL West name who’s given the Giants fits over the years. He was traded to the Rangers at the deadline and is now a free agent.
“These aren’t necessarily the sexiest names,” Slusser admitted, “but they’re guys who know the division and can fill a role.”
That’s the theme of the Giants’ offseason so far: smart, cost-effective pitching depth. They’re not chasing splashy signings. They’re looking for arms that fit their current window - guys who can help stabilize the middle of the rotation without tying up long-term money.
With Posey at the helm of baseball operations, the Giants are playing the long game. The focus isn’t just on 2026 - it’s on building sustainable success. And that means making moves that complement what they already have, not overspending on what they don’t necessarily need.
So while Imai might be off the table, the Giants are still very much in the mix this winter - just with a sharper, more calculated approach.