[Mick]

We just got 42 year old Justin Verlander. Two years removed from the Cy Young, but a 5.48 ERA last year (and a 4.78 FIP).

https://www.mlb.com/news/justin-verlande...Y2RiK8Bxpi

Thoughts?

When I think of Verlander, I think of his open-mouthed reaction on TV after the Panda hammered him in the 2012 Series.  

I don’t like the deal but it doesn’t surprise me.  We can add Verlander to the esteemed list of 40+ pitchers (Spahn, Johnson, Carlton) who joined the Giants towards the end of their careers.  I would expect him to have a similar level of success with SF as those Hall of Famers did with the Giants (a cumulative .480 W/L percentage)

An underrated (I think) element of adding the senior Hall of Fame pitcher is their effect on the younger pitching staff. Johnson's year with the Giants was 2009...we all know what happened in 2010. And 2012. And 2014. Maybe Verlander will have the same effect.

Yep. Totally agree.

Be interesting to see where Verlander fits in the rotation. My guess is #3 or #4, depending on the spring. 

I really like the Sam Huff signing. 10 HRs in 198 ABs. 113 career OPS+. His MLB defensive stats are below average (to be kind), but his minor league defensive stats were strong.

I'm enthused about Casey Schmitt, who had a really strong September (.429/.500/.667/1.1667) to finish strong overall at .252/.283/.477/.760. His strikeout numbers were WAY down at the end of the year. Six HRs in just over 100 ABs. As a fielder, he has a cannon for an arm, decent fielder, poor range but can play all three IF spots. Perfect utility infielder. Hopefully, he's figured it out. Here's a good review of Schmitt:
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2025/1...ey-schmitt

They still need a middle-of-the-order bat. Alonso's options are drying up...the Yankees and Astros have found cheaper first basemen. 

I'm not too surprised no one has picked up 44 HR Santander. He's got some weaknesses in his numbers (.235 BA/.308 OBP) and he'll be expensive. The Yankees and Dodgers have added outfielders already. I think the Blue Jays and Red Sox have the inside track for him.

Giants reached arbitration agreements with Wade, Doval and Rogers as expected.

[Mick]

We just got 42 year old Justin Verlander. Two years removed from the Cy Young, but a 5.48 ERA last year (and a 4.78 FIP).

https://www.mlb.com/news/justin-verlande...Y2RiK8Bxpi

Thoughts?

When I think of Verlander, I think of his open-mouthed reaction on TV after the Panda hammered him in the 2012 Series.  

I don’t like the deal but it doesn’t surprise me.  We can add Verlander to the esteemed list of 40+ pitchers (Spahn, Johnson, Carlton) who joined the Giants towards the end of their careers.  I would expect him to have a similar level of success with SF as those Hall of Famers did with the Giants (a cumulative .480 W/L percentage)

An underrated (I think) element of adding the senior Hall of Fame pitcher is their effect on the younger pitching staff. Johnson's year with the Giants was 2009...we all know what happened in 2010. And 2012. And 2014. Maybe Verlander will have the same effect.

Yep. Totally agree.

Be interesting to see where Verlander fits in the rotation. My guess is #3 or #4, depending on the spring. 

I really like the Sam Huff signing. 10 HRs in 198 ABs. 113 career OPS+. His MLB defensive stats are below average (to be kind), but his minor league defensive stats were strong.

I'm enthused about Casey Schmitt, who had a really strong September (.429/.500/.667/1.1667) to finish strong overall at .252/.283/.477/.760. His strikeout numbers were WAY down at the end of the year. Six HRs in just over 100 ABs. As a fielder, he has a cannon for an arm, decent fielder, poor range but can play all three IF spots. Perfect utility infielder. Hopefully, he's figured it out. Here's a good review of Schmitt:
https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2025/1...ey-schmitt

They still need a middle-of-the-order bat. Alonso's options are drying up...the Yankees and Astros have found cheaper first basemen. 

I'm not too surprised no one has picked up 44 HR Santander. He's got some weaknesses in his numbers (.235 BA/.308 OBP) and he'll be expensive. The Yankees and Dodgers have added outfielders already. I think the Blue Jays and Red Sox have the inside track for him.

Giants reached arbitration agreements with Wade, Doval and Rogers as expected.