The San Francisco Giants are poised for a significant boost to their starting rotation this offseason.
As they prioritize improvements to a pitching staff that ranked 19th in the league in team ERA, attention is focused on free agent options, particularly Blake Snell, the two-time Cy Young winner. However, another key player to watch is Robbie Ray, the 2021 Cy Young awardee.
Ray had a challenging 2024 season, sidelined for much of it while recovering from Tommy John surgery and managing only seven starts. He also dealt with a hamstring injury in August that hampered his performance in his first season with the Giants, resulting in a less-than-stellar 4.70 ERA. Despite these setbacks, his potential remains intriguing for the Giants and their fans.
Currently, Ray is facing an opt-out after the third year of his five-year, $115 million contract, which he signed with Seattle before being traded to San Francisco last winter. If he opts in, he would earn $25 million for the upcoming season. Grant Brisbee of The Athletic predicts that Ray is likely to opt in, viewing it as a chance to rebuild his value for a more lucrative deal in the future. “He could probably sign a two- or three-year deal with a bigger commitment, but he could also get paid $24.9 million more than you or I will and set himself up for an even more lucrative contract after that,” Brisbee stated. “My guess is that he opts in and bets on himself.”
Over his eleven-season career across five teams, Ray has made 229 starts and recorded a career ERA below 4.0, alongside over 1,500 strikeouts and a 1.301 WHIP. In his standout 2021 season, he finished with a 13-7 record, a career-low 2.84 ERA, and led the league with 248 strikeouts.
While Ray may not be the ace he once was, he has the capability to deliver an impactful season. The Giants would be thrilled if he chooses to opt in, adding much-needed depth and experience to their rotation as they look to improve for the upcoming season.
