Blast From The Past: History Of Late Career Hall Of Famers Playing For The Giants

Yesterday's news of the Giants signing Justin Verlander RHP to a 1 year free agent contract brought to mind a fairly long and illustrious history of similar transactions going at least as far back as Warren Spahn LHP in 1965.  So I thought it might be fun and educational to take a look at some of those players stat lines from those experiences.  I can think of at least 4 HOF'ers, Spahn, Steve Carlton LHP, Joe Morgan 2B and Randy Johnson LHP.  I'll add in 3 more from the Hall of Very Good Players, Dusty Baker OF, Reggie Smith 1B and Orel Hershiser RHP.  What makes those 3 names particularly interesting is they all played a major part of their careers with the Dodgers.  Let's get started.

Warren Spahn LHP.  After a 25-year career with the Braves, Spahn's contract was sold to the Mets after the 1964 season.  At the age of 44, Spahn went 4-12 for the Mets in a dual pitcher/pitching coach role.  He was placed on waivers and released by the Mets and signed with the Giants in July.  He remained with the Giants to the end of the season which proved to be his final MLB season.  

1965(Giants):  3-4, 3.39, 71.2 IP, 4.3 K/9, 2.6 BB/9.

It should be noted that Spahn's career strikeout rate was 4.4, amazingly low for a HOF career.  Although the Giants fell short by 2 games in the pennant race against the Dodgers, Spahn made a significant contribution on a team that didn't have much pitching behind ace Juan Marichal.

Joe Morgan 2B.  Morgan made his HOF reputation as the sparkplug of the Big Red Machine.  He signed a free agent contract with the Giants in 1981 at age 37 after one return season with the Astros.  

1981:  .240/.371/.377, 8 HR, 14 SB, 17.5 BB%, 9.8 K%, 378 PA.

1982:  .289/.400/.438, 14 HR, 24 SB, 15.3 BB%, 10.8 K%, 554 PA.

Morgan's first season with the Giants did not go well and he only appeared in 90 games but his 1982 season is legendary in Giants history.  He was a major contributor to a team that hung with the Dodgers and Braves down to the last 3-game series of the season.  Although the Giants were eliminated, Morgan made himself a Forever Giant by hitting a 3-run HR that eliminated the Dodgers too.  I was living in SoCal at the time but was able to listen to the Dodgers radio broadcast and heard Vin Scully make the crushing HR call on my car radio, a moment I won't forget.

Steve Carlton LHP.  Carlton was released by the Phillies during the 1986 season.  He signed on with the Giants and even broke his silence with the press to give a press conference.  He pitched seven shutout innings and hit a 3-run HR in one game but overall went 1-3 with a 5.10 ERA.  He also recorded his 4000'th career strikeout while wearing a Giants uniform.  He announced his retirement on August 7 but four days later signed on with the White Sox going 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA over the rest of the season.  He finally retired for good at age 44 before the 1989 season.

Randy Johnson LHP.  RJ signed with the Giants for the 2009 season at age 45.  

2009:  8-6, 4.88, 96 IP, 8.06 K/9, 2.91 BB/9.

The ERA is not great but RJ was credited with 8 Wins and ate 96 innings in essentially a half-season of starts.  He also recorded his 300'th career Win while wearing a Giants uniform.  A shoulder injury suffered while diving for an infield dribbler forced him to retire at the end of the season.

Dusty Baker OF.  Baker signed with the Giants as a free agent for the 1984 season at the age of 35.  

1984:  .292/.387/.374, 3 HR, 4 SB, 13.9 BB%, 9.4 K%, 287 PA.  

In limited playing time he hit for a high average and OBP but with little power.  He went on to play two more seasons with the Oakland A's.  Of course he would eventually find his way back to the Giants as a beloved manager.  He currently serves as an advisor in the Giants front office.  

Reggie Smith 1B.  Smith signed with the Giants as a free agent for his final MLB season at age 37.  He was part of the 1982 team along with Joe Morgan who fell just short of a NL West Division championship. 

1982:  .284/.364/.470, 18 HR, 7 SB, 11.6 BB%, 11.6 K%, 398 PA.  

Although he was an OF for most of his illustrious career, Smith played 1B for the Giants and played well accumulating and fWAR of 2.9.

Orel Hershiser RHP.   Hershiser signed with the Giants for the 1998 season at age 40.  

1998:  11-10, 4.41, 202.0 IP, 5.61 K/9, 3.79 BB/9.  

Amazing that Hershiser's career K/9 was just 5.79.  Although the ERA as not great, he made 32 starts and averaged 6.3 IP/Start.  I guess there was a reason they called him Bulldog!

If the experiences of these players are any indication, Justin Verlander will likely not win a Cy Young Award with the Giants but will probably make a significant contribution and possibly leave Giants fans with some fond memories.

Hot Stove League Update: Giants Sign Justin Verlander

The last time Justin Verlander pitched in what was then AT&T Park was in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series when Pablo Sandoval lit him up.  I have long had a suspicion that Verlander low key had Giants envy and wanted to pitch for them, or else he absolutely hated the place and wouldn't pitch there again if his life depended on it.  Well, maybe we now know how he really felt.  Buster Posey finally got his veteran SP although one who is unlikely to be quite the innings vacuum we hoped for.  Verlander and the Giants agreed to a 1 yr/$15 M contract which seems to be pretty much the going rate for any pitcher with starting experience and a pulse this Hot Stove League season.  In my mind I am thinking it's a 1 yr/$5 M contract for the pitcher and a $10 M bonus for the HOF cred which is OK by me. Here is his pitching line last year which was a struggle:

5-6, 5.48, 90.1 IP, 7.4 K/9, 2.7 BB/9.  

He missed time twice with injuries, shoulder inflammation in April and a neck problem in June-August.  His ERA in the starts after coming back from the neck injury ballooned to 8.00.  Maybe after an offseason to heal, he can revert to his 2023 form in which he made 27 starts and pitched 162 innings with a 3.31 ERA and don't forget he won a Cy Young Award as recently as 2022.  I assume, as always, the deal is contingent on a physical exam.  It wouldn't be the first time Verlander bounced back to have a sensational season after a seemingly career-ending injury.  On the other hand, he is entering his age 42 season and nobody pitches forever.

So Justin Verlander joins a distinguished list of future Hall of Famers to wear a Giants uniform near the end of their careers including Warren Spahn, Steve Carlton and Randy Johnson.  If you include non-pitchers there is Joe Morgan.  If you include Hall of Very Good Players you can add in Dusty Baker, Reggie Smith and Orel Hershiser.  In general they all played well and made the team better by their presence on the roster.

So fingers crossed that Verlander is healthy and gives the Giants at least a half season of solid pitching.  That would take some heat off the Logan Webb and the young pitchers and buy the Giants some time to getting them seasoned and into situations where they can succeed.  I would sure as heck rather see this contract than a long-term mega deal for Jack Flaherty and Verlander is probably more likely to be an upgrade for the rotation for however long he is healthy than my white whale, Cal Quantrill.  The deal also leaves Buster with a little room to add a budget veteran bat like a Jesse Winker, Austin Hays or Ramon Laureano.  

DrB's 2025 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #46 Robert Hipwell

Robert Hipwell 3B.  DOB:  3/6/2003.  B-L, T-R.  6' 3", 200 lbs.  Drafted 2024 Round 6(Santa Clara).

2024(College):  .273/.442/.515, 3 HR, 20.9 BB%, 24.4 K%, 86 PA.

2024(MLBD):  .245/.385/.359, HR, 15.4 BB%, 27.7 K%, 65 PA.

2024(A):  .196/.360/.402, 5 HR, 15.4 BB%, 29.4 K%, 136 PA.

Missed most of college junior season due to a PED suspension after projecting as one of the top college hitters in the draft coming out of his sophomore campaign.  Has power and strong plate discipline but that leads to a higher K rate.  At this point he looks like an extreme 3-true outcomes guy which may not project at higher levels.  May need to swing at more hittable pitches earlier in the count.  Decent defender who also play corner OF and 1B but the bat will determine his ceiling.

Scouting the 2025 Draft: Eli Willits

Eli Willits SS, HS.  DOB:  12/3/2007.  B-S, T-R.  6' 1", 165 lbs.   

Son of former MLB player Reggie Willits.  Youngest player in the draft after reclassifying.  Committed to Oklahoma where his brother played as a freshman last season and his father is the associate head coach.  High energy player with an advanced hit tool but more of a slap hitter at this stage of his development.  Needs to fill out his frame which he should be able to do as he matures.  Reminds me a bit of Brice Turang at a similar age.

DrB's 2025 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #47 Maui Ahuna

Maui Ahuna SS.  DOB:  3/11/2002.  B-L, T-R.  6' 1", 170 lbs.  Drafted 2023 Round 4

2024(ACL):  .342/.405/.658, 3 HR, 3 SB, 4.8 BB%, 33.3 K%, 42 PA.

2024(A):  .236/.355/.281, HR, 5 SB, 15.0 BB%, 26.2 K%, 107 PA.

Ahuna is a slick-fielding shortstop with a questionable hit tool and little to no power.  He can draw a walk and steal a base.  Defense gives him some staying power.  Can he develop the bat?

Hot Stove League Update: Dodgers Trade Gavin Lux; Lorenzen Re-signs With Reds

In a very weird turn of events, the Dodgers traded former first round draft pick and top prospect, Gavin Lux, to the Reds for their 2024 3'rd round draft pick, Mike Sirota, who has yet to play a professional game and the Reds Competitive Balance Round A draft pick.  I guess the writing was on the wall for Lux after the Dodgers signed Hyeseong Kim IF, who doesn't seem like as good a player as Lux, to a free agent contract although at the time they insisted the signing would not impact their starting infielders and Kim would play more of a super-utility role.  Lux has admittedly had his issues but he got red hot down the stretch last season and made a major contribution to the Dodgers championship run.  The move is kind of odd for the Reds too as they already have Elly De La Cruz at SS and Matt McLain at 2B.  Maybe Lux will play a utility role with them?  or maybe they will make another move?

And let's talk about the Dodgers and their vaunted scouting and development regime.  What do they have to show for it?  Yes, Will Smith is a pretty darn good catcher but he is the only homegrown player on their entire positional depth chart with Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May bringing up the rear of the starting pitching depth chart.  On the other hand you have complete busts in Miguel Vargas and Diego Cartaya and now Lux getting unceremoniously traded.  

I do not want to hear anymore complaining about how the Giants farm sytem and scouting/development programs compare unfavorably to the Dodgers.

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Michael Lorenzen RHP re-signed with the Royals for 1 yr/$7 M.  Lorenzen will be paid $5.5 M this season but with a buyout of $1.5 M on a $12 M mutual option.  Mutual options are almost never exercised by both parties so it's probably 1 yr/$7 M with $1.5 M deferred.  

Lorenzen hasn't exactly been an innings eater over his career but has pitched a total of 283 innings over his last two seasons with not terrible ERA's.  I continue to believe the Giants need a veteran starter who can take some of the heat off Logan Webb and buy time for the younger pitchers to sort themselves out.  While Lorenzen doesn't quite fill the innings eating role he has the best ERA of any of the remaining "value" options.  The contract he got from the Royals seems like one the Giants could have easily topped with money still to spare to make other additions.

DrB's 2025 Giants Top 50 Prospects: #48 Jakob Christian

Jakob Christian OF.  DOB:  9/17/2002.  B-R, T-R.  6' 5", 225 lbs.  Drafted 2024 Round 5.

2024(A):  .267/.378/.500, HR, 13.5 BB%, 21.6 K%, 37 PA.

2024(College):  .364/.460/.828, 26 HR, 9 SB, 11.9 BB%, 20.0 K%, 235 PA.

Big strong power hitter with enough athleticism and arm to play RF.  On video appears to have short, compact swing for a big guy with a direct path to the ball which he starts from a slight crouch.  MLB scouting report thinks he may have a bit of a groove in his swing.  Very small pro sample size so far but numbers translate about where you would expect from college ball to A ball.  One of several sleepers out of the Giants 2024 draft.  Looking forward to seeing a full pro season of results.  Potential to move way up in next year's rankings.