Three Mid-Tier Pitchers Who Could Shore Up the Giants’ Rotation This Winter
The San Francisco Giants may not be diving headfirst into the deep end of this winter’s pitching market, but that doesn’t mean they’re sitting out entirely. With a rotation that needs more than just a touch-up, San Francisco could look to reinforce with arms that don’t break the bank but still offer solid value. Think of it less as a splashy headline and more as a smart investment.
Names like Merrill Kelly, Chris Bassitt, and Cody Ponce fit that mold - experienced, effective, and likely available on short-term deals that won’t tie up the payroll long-term. But let’s be clear: if the Giants walk away from this offseason with just one of these guys and no bigger moves, it’s going to feel underwhelming. The rotation has holes, and patchwork won’t cut it in a division that doesn’t wait around for anyone.
Let’s break down these three potential targets and what they could bring to the table.
Merrill Kelly: Reliable, Familiar, and Still Effective
Giants fans know Merrill Kelly well - maybe a little too well. After spending parts of seven seasons with the division-rival Diamondbacks, Kelly was shipped to the Texas Rangers midseason in 2025. And if there’s one thing he’s proven over the years, it’s consistency.
Against San Francisco alone, Kelly has logged a 3.24 ERA over 21 starts. That’s not a fluke - his career ERA sits at 3.77, and he posted a solid 3.52 ERA across 32 starts in 2025. Those aren’t ace numbers, but they’re the kind of dependable, middle-of-the-rotation stats that teams covet when trying to stabilize a staff.
He’ll be 37 next season, so no one’s handing him a four-year deal. But a two-year contract at around $13 million per year feels like a reasonable price for a veteran who knows how to eat innings and keep games competitive.
Chris Bassitt: Durable and Dependable with a Playoff Twist
Chris Bassitt is another name that’s circled the Giants’ orbit before. A few offseasons ago, he looked like a strong fit, but the Mets extended a qualifying offer that complicated things. Eventually, he landed with the Blue Jays on a three-year, $60 million deal - and that move paid off.
Over those three seasons, Bassitt delivered a 3.89 ERA and racked up 7.3 fWAR. More importantly, he was a model of durability: at least 30 starts and 170 innings every year. That kind of consistency is gold in today’s game, especially for a team like the Giants that’s dealt with its share of rotation instability.
In 2025, Bassitt posted a 3.96 ERA over 32 appearances. He’s not blowing hitters away, but he’s giving you a chance to win nearly every time out.
At 37, he’s probably looking at a two-year deal in the $12 million per year range. There’s also some intrigue in using him as a swingman - he flashed some upside in a bullpen role during the playoffs, and that kind of flexibility could be valuable down the stretch.
Cody Ponce: A Wild Card with Overseas Dominance
Cody Ponce isn’t a household name - at least not yet. But he’s the kind of under-the-radar arm that could end up being a steal. After brief stints with the Brewers and Pirates, Ponce spent the last four seasons pitching overseas, and 2025 was his breakout year with the Hanwha Eagles in the KBO.
He didn’t just pitch well - he dominated. A 1.89 ERA over 180.2 innings is impressive in any league, and he made headlines with an 18-strikeout performance on May 17 against the SSG Landers, setting a new KBO record.
Ponce is a bit of a mystery box - the numbers are eye-popping, but the transition back to MLB is always a question mark. Still, the upside is real.
He’s younger than Kelly and Bassitt, and that could make him attractive on a slightly longer deal. A three-year contract at around $12 million annually might be enough to land him, and if he can carry over even a portion of that KBO success, the Giants could be looking at a high-reward move with minimal risk.
The Bottom Line
The Giants don’t need just one of these pitchers - they need multiple arms to stabilize a rotation that’s facing real questions. Robbie Ray is entering the final year of his five-year, $115 million deal, and there’s no guarantee he’ll bounce back to his best form.
Justin Verlander, who gave them 152 quality innings with a 3.85 ERA, might not be back. That’s a lot of innings to replace.
Adding someone like Kelly or Bassitt gives you a proven veteran who can take the ball every fifth day. Rolling the dice on Ponce injects some upside into the mix. It’s not the kind of offseason that makes headlines, but it could be the kind that makes a difference over 162 games.
If the Giants want to stay in the hunt, they’ll need more than just a patch here and there - they’ll need depth, durability, and maybe a little bit of daring.