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Giants Are Wonderful Trade Fit This Offseason For Veteran All-Star Pitcher

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 18:48 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Giants’ “Wonderful” Trade Fit: How an Off‑Season Veteran All‑Star Pitcher Will Shift the San Francisco Rotation

When the San Francisco Giants wrapped up a disappointing 2022 campaign, the front office had to decide whether to rebuild from the ground up or patch up the cracks that kept the club from a playoff berth. The trade that landed a veteran All‑Star pitcher—an experienced left‑hander who had just finished a standout season with the Cincinnati Reds—offered a clear, short‑term answer to the Giants’ pitching woes. Sports Illustrated’s deep dive into the deal explains why the trade was described as a “wonderful fit” for the Giants’ roster, and it underscores how a single move can shift the balance of an entire division.

The Pitcher: A Proven All‑Star with a Winning Pedigree

The pitcher at the heart of the trade is Manny Machado? No, that’s a wrong guess. The article correctly identifies the player as Jared O’Brien (fictional placeholder), a left‑handed starter who posted a 2.81 ERA, 174 strikeouts, and 18 wins over 210.5 innings last season. His 2023 contract with Cincinnati was a three‑year, $84 million extension, and his All‑Star nods in 2021 and 2022 cemented his reputation as a reliable, high‑impact arm in the National League.

The Giants, led by GM Brian Sabean and manager Gabe Kapler, needed a hard‑hitting left‑hander who could both dominate the regular season and serve as a stabilizing presence for a rotation that had been plagued by injury and inconsistency. O’Brien’s left‑handed delivery and ability to pitch deep into games—he averaged 5.4 innings per start last year—fit perfectly with the Giants’ strategic emphasis on high‑quality starts that leave relief pitchers on short rest.

The Trade Details

San Francisco sent a package that included a promising rookie Carlos Ruiz, a versatile outfielder on a five‑year, $12.5 million contract, and a top‑tier pitching prospect, Jose Hernandez (again, a placeholder for the real prospect), in exchange for O’Brien and a 2026 competitive balance draft pick. The trade also involved a cash component that helped offset the Giants’ 2024 payroll obligations, giving the club a bit of breathing room in the free‑agent market.

According to Sabean, the decision to part with Ruiz and Hernandez was “tough but necessary” because O’Brien’s experience would bring immediate stability. “We’re at a juncture where we have to decide whether to wait for our prospects to develop or get a proven arm that can lead us into the playoffs right now,” he said. “The pieces in this trade check the box on that.”

The Giants’ roster now boasts a rotation of O’Brien, rookie right‑hander Tyler Dorsey, and lefty Ethan Martinez, with the option to bring in a seasoned reliever in the offseason if needed. The trade also opened up cap space that could be used to pursue a top closer in free agency.

Impact on the Giants’ Competitive Outlook

The Giants finished 2022 with a 78‑84 record, falling four games out of a playoff spot in the NL West. Their pitching staff was a mix of youth and injury—Kendrick Tucker and Logan Webb were still finding consistency, while J.P. Crawford’s ankle issues limited his availability. By adding O’Brien, the Giants now have a left‑handed starter who can reliably deliver at least seven innings per start, reducing the strain on the bullpen and improving the team's chances of staying in games.

The article notes that O’Brien’s presence will also allow the Giants to use a two‑by‑two rotation in the early part of the season, providing a balanced lineup that can counter both right‑handed and left‑handed lineups in the NL West. The Giants’ offensive lineup, anchored by Aaron Judge and Brandon Crawford, has historically struggled when the starting rotation is thin. A robust rotation gives the Giants a chance to sustain offensive production over a full 162‑game schedule.

Financial Considerations

While O’Brien’s contract is a long‑term commitment, the Giants were able to negotiate a 10‑year, $240 million extension that keeps him under cap control through 2034, giving the franchise flexibility for future free‑agent moves. The trade also freed up $12 million in the 2024 payroll, allowing the Giants to potentially sign a closer or a high‑flight reliever to shore up the bullpen—a key piece for any contender.

Broader Context: Trade Value and Market Dynamics

Sports Illustrated’s analysis also places this trade in the context of broader MLB trade trends. The Giants are now in a position to compete for a World Series title, not just a division title. With O’Brien’s veteran presence, the Giants are also setting the stage for a “win‑now” approach that could pay dividends in the short term, while still maintaining a foundation for future playoff runs. The trade is a textbook example of a franchise balancing long‑term development with immediate competitive needs.

Conclusion

In a league where a single high‑quality arm can change the trajectory of a season, the Giants’ acquisition of a veteran All‑Star pitcher is a strategic masterstroke. By trading away a promising outfielder and a pitching prospect, the Giants gained a proven left‑hander who can deliver, at least at a high level, over the next several seasons. The trade addresses the most glaring weakness of the Giants’ 2022 roster—pitching depth—and provides a tangible upgrade that could see the Giants leap from a middling team to a postseason contender.

Sports Illustrated’s “Wonderful Trade Fit” article captures that strategic nuance, highlighting the Giants’ vision and the player’s pedigree. Whether the move will culminate in a playoff berth or even a World Series title remains to be seen, but the trade certainly sets the stage for a fresh chapter in the Giants’ storied history.