While the top of the free agent market remains congealed, teams continued to add depth players and upside plays from the "Brebbia Aisle" as the Giants Blog would put it. We have three new signings to report:
Mike Soroka RHP signs with the Nationals for 1 yr/$9 M.
2024(White Sox): 0-10, 4.74, 79.2 IP, 9.5 K/9, 5.0 BB/9.
After a strong age 21 season in 2019 for the Braves, Soroka was beset by a series of injures. He surfaced in 2024 with the White Sox and struggled as a SP into 2024 but was much better after moving to the bullpen but continued to put up elevated walk rates. The Nationals apparently intend to try him as a SP again in an upside play although $9 M is a significant investment for a pitchers who hasn't proved he can control the strike zone. Pitchers in this general demographic are not what the Giants need right now.
Max Kepler OF signs with the Phillies for 1 yr/$10 M.
2024(Twins): .253/.302/.380, 8 HR, 5.5 BB%, 20.1 K%, 399 PA.
Kepler is a good defensive OF who hit 36 HR's in 2019 but has not come close to that production since. His 2024 season was impacted and shortened by injuries. The Phillies take a flyer on a 1 year "pillow" contract hoping he can stay healthy and his numbers will bounce back. Kepler fits in the same demographic as Mike Yastrzemski who has also battled injuries and is signed for 2024 for pretty much the same contract. I'll bet on YtY's numbers next season.
Patrick Sandoval LHP signs with Red Sox for 2 yrs/$18.25 M.
2024(Angels): 2-8, 5.08, 79.2 IP, 9.2 K/9, 4.0 BB/9.
Sandoval was a quality SP for the Angels for 3 years but struggled in 2024 and was shut down in June for Tommy John surgery. He might help the Red Sox late in 2025 but they are betting on him coming back to full strength in 2026. That's a very FZ kind of move which didn't really work out often for him and the Giants are not currently in need of that type of gamble.
first, many thanks for your great work on your blog. it is so much appreciated. quick question: if the Giants can't land Corbin Burnes, is there a pitcher on the FA market that they might pivot to that we could sign? -es
ReplyDeleteI know this is not going to excite many fans and it smacks of FZ's MO, but I would take a gamble on Walker Buehler's upside and hope it give the Dodgers a stick in the eye in the process. I also like Cal Quantrill as an affordable innings eater whose numbers should look better pitching home games in Oracle Park vs Coors Field.
DeleteBelieve it or not, I would consider Walker Buehler..just a little leery of having that risk along with the Robbie Ray situation..After Burnes, the Japanese kid (won't happen), there's only Quantril and Flaherty...The rest are 33-41 year olds and it's just a roulette wheel for a 1-2 year contract...GET BURNES! But something is holding it up
DeletesteveVA
I loved Soroka as a prospect and young player. And believe it or not his strength was control. Unfortunately, health is also a huge factor and shoulder and achilles injuries really messed him up. I'm sure part of the control issues have come from trying to regain that form pre-injuries.
ReplyDeleteI’d rather do a three-for-one deal: Instead of Burnes, Buster should sign Buehler, Quantril and a decent hitter who can play 2B or 1B.
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