The San Francisco Giants have added to their starting rotation for the 2026 season. However, the case could be made that it is not a finished product. If the Giants are going to contend in the National League West, they will have to add another piece to their rotation.
The free agent options are dwindling. It is highly unlikely that they will dip their toes with either Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez. The two left-handers are the top two remaining free agents. Spending that much money doesn’t fit what San Francisco would do.
They would be open to adding another arm at a low cost. Last season, they took a chance with future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. After moving on from him this offseason, could the Giants kick the tires on adding another veteran right-hander to solidify their rotation?
Giants Linked to Free Agent Max Scherzer
Taking a chance on Verlander backfired early last year. He went 0-8 through his first 16 starts with San Francisco. Who saw that coming? He did rebound in the second half of the season. He finished with a 4-11 record with a 3.85 ERA. His ERA was 2.60 in his last 13 appearances.
David Schoenfield of ESPN listed some under-the-radar free agent fits for 2026. He listed the Giants as a potential landing spot for veteran Max Scherzer.
“Verlander did miss a month with a pectoral strain and had neck issues in 2024, but he’s less of a health risk at this point than Scherzer. The Giants signed Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle to go along with Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp, so it looks like they will be moving on from Verlander, but he can still help a contender,” Schoenfield wrote.
Yes, Scherzer is a health risk. Who isn’t these days when it comes to pitching? However, the Giants wouldn’t be looking to add Scherzer as a top-of-the-rotation starter, but more as rotation depth.
San Francisco has brought in Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle in free agency. They have Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp returning. Scherzer is someone who could be a mentor for a staff, as he was with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025.
San Francisco Giants Need One More Rotation Starter
Whether it’s through a trade or free agency, the Giants could use another starter. They have been linked to Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers. Would San Francisco meet Milwaukee’s asking price for a deal? It would be hefty.
As far as a contract for Scherzer would go, Lucas Picklesimer of Just Baseball predicted a one-year contract between $10-15 million. At 42 years old, he is like Verlander and would play on a year-to-year deal.
If he’s healthy, he is someone who would be valuable to any rotation. There is a connection between Scherzer and first-year manager Tony Vitello, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Vitello was on the University of Missouri staff while Scherzer was there. They reportedly have remained close.
“There is a presumption that Scherzer could pitch for his good friend, new San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello,” Olney wrote earlier this winter.
It’s clear that Scherzer still has something left in the tank and wants to pitch in 2026. San Francisco, being a potential landing spot, would not be surprising, the closer to spring training the calendar gets.
San Francisco Giants Linked With Future Hall of Famer to Bolster Rotation