Giants Targeted Free Agent Pitchers Gausman and Imanaga
San Francisco seeks to bolster its pitching rotation following a 65-win 2026 season.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Baseball
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The San Francisco Giants have set their sights on free agents Kevin Gausman and Shota Imanaga to upgrade a rotation that posted a 4.48 ERA in 2026. The organization is aggressively evaluating roster improvements after finishing 35 games behind the National League West leader.
Why it matters
The team aims to address significant pitching deficiencies that contributed to a bottom-eight ranking across multiple statistical categories last season. Securing proven arms is essential for the club to remain competitive after a challenging year marked by a 65-win finish.
The Giants rotation finished the 2026 campaign with a 4.48 ERA, while Kevin Gausman posted a 4.51 ERA and Shota Imanaga recorded a 3.77 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP.
The players
Kevin Gausman
He is a veteran starting pitcher who previously signed a $110 million contract and is now entering free agency.
Shota Imanaga
He is a starting pitcher coming off a contract worth $22 million and is expected to be a major free agent target.
San Francisco Giants
This Major League Baseball organization plays at Oracle Park and competes in the National League West division.
Robbie Ray
He is a pitcher who was recently traded by the San Francisco Giants to the San Diego Padres.
The details
The front office is prioritizing starting pitching depth after the departure of Robbie Ray in a trade with the San Diego Padres. Management is currently evaluating potential contract structures for both free agents to bolster a roster that allowed an average of 4.69 runs per game.
Timeline
The Giants finished the 2026 season with 65 wins.
Kevin Gausman previously played for the franchise in 2021.
The club previously considered signing Shota Imanaga during the 2024 offseason.
The Giants are actively targeting free agent pitchers throughout the 2026 offseason.
Season Trajectory
This aggressive pursuit of top-tier pitching signals a shift in the organization's rebuild strategy following a season where they finished 35 games behind the division lead. It reflects a clear attempt to reset the competitive balance and move out of the bottom tier of Major League Baseball.
Adding either Gausman or Imanaga to the rotation would immediately alter the Giants' starting five, potentially shifting the team's projected win total for 2027. Fans should track these contract negotiations as they will determine the club's available budget for further offensive upgrades.
The takeaway
Targeting established arms like Gausman and Imanaga suggests that the front office is prioritizing immediate stability to avoid another sub-70 win campaign. Success hinges on landing at least one of these targets to stabilize the rotation's output next season.
Further reading
For more updates on the roster, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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