The San Francisco Giants entered the offseason with a big hole to fill in their starting rotation with Blake Snell opting out and re-testing free agency. Now that he agreed to terms on a five-year, $182 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, what is Plan B for president of baseball operations Buster Posey?
Snell and the Dodgers coming to an agreement means two crucial postseason postseason performers probably won't return to L.A. in 2025: Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty. Could San Francisco target Flaherty and sign him to a big-money contract?
After struggling to a 4.99 ERA in 2023, Flaherty took a one-year, $14 million deal with the Detroit Tigers last winter to rebuild his value on the open market. The right-hander posted a 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 194 strikeouts in 162 innings. He was also one of only three healthy starters manager Dave Roberts could depend on throughout October as the Dodgers marched toward a World Series title.
ESPN's Dave Schoenfield is predicting the Giants will replace Snell with Flaherty on a five-year, $115 million deal.
"We don't really know yet what Posey will emphasize as an executive, but considering he won World Series titles as a catcher with starting pitchers such as Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum anchoring the rotation, the best guess is he'll believe you can never have enough pitching," Schoenfield wrote. "The Giants were just 18th in the majors in rotation ERA -- in a pitcher's park, mind you -- and will have to replace Snell if he signs elsewhere. Flaherty, coming off a strong rebound season, fits the bill."
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