BREAKING: The San Francisco Giants have officially signed right-hander Adrian Houser to a two-year deal with a club option for 2028. This significant move, announced early Friday morning, addresses one of the two vacancies in their starting rotation, but the team is still on the hunt for a fifth starter.
During a press call today, general manager Zack Minasian emphasized the Giants’ strategy of adding two starters this offseason while allowing younger arms to develop. “I don’t know if I would characterize it quite as a need at this point,” Minasian stated, suggesting that the final rotation spot could be filled both internally and externally.
The Giants are not short on internal options. They include promising pitchers like Hayden Birdsong, Carson Whisenhunt, and Blade Tidwell, but these young talents lack extensive Major League experience. Birdsong, at just 24, showed promise before losing command and being sent back to Triple-A. Meanwhile, Whisenhunt struggled in his brief stint in the majors, and Tidwell has only two starts under his belt.
Minasian clarified that while the team is exploring external options, they are not looking to invest the significant funds required to land top-tier pitchers like Framber Valdez or Tatsuya Imai. However, several free-agent starters remain available as the offseason progresses, including Zac Gallen, who is coming off a challenging season, and veteran Max Scherzer, who has experience but is now 41 years old.
Acquiring another starter is crucial for the Giants, as the volatility of younger pitchers was evident last season. “Getting Adrian in the fold at least gives you some comfort that we have legitimate fifth starter options,” Minasian added. The addition of Houser, who posted a respectable 3.31 ERA over 21 starts last season, provides stability. His fastball velocity increased from 92.8 mph in 2024 to 94.6 mph in 2025, thanks to mechanical adjustments, and Minasian is optimistic about his potential.
However, the Giants are also preparing for a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Houser. The team recently signed right-handed reliever Jason Foley, who is recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery and is not expected to return until midseason. Meanwhile, outfielder Joey Wiemer has been designated for assignment.
As the offseason continues, the Giants remain focused on finalizing coaching roles and exploring all avenues to strengthen their rotation. “You never stop looking,” Minasian affirmed, indicating that the team will remain active in the trade and free-agent markets.
This latest development sets the stage for an exciting offseason for the Giants as they aim to bolster their pitching staff and pave the way for a successful 2024 season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the team navigates its roster decisions and seeks to maximize its potential.
