In Ken Rosenthal’s Monday column for Fox Sports, he had an interesting note about the San Francisco Giants. Specifically, Rosenthal noted that the Giants would likely be interested in impending free agent Nationals starter Jordan Zimmermann this offseason.
*Add Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann to the list of free-agent starters that the Giants are likely to consider this offseason — though Zimmermann, a native of Wisconsin, might prefer to return to the Midwest.
The 29-year old Zimmermann is making $16.5 million this year, and he’s likely in line for a nine figure contract this offseason. In 2015, he’s pitched to a 3.54 ERA in 160 innings, striking out 127 and walking only 28.
Despite Zimmermann having his worst season since a seven start stint in 2010 following Tommy John surgery, he’s still in that top tier of starters on the free agent market, and his struggles can largely be pinned on a drop in strand rate, a spike in BABIP, and a jump in home run rate.
San Francisco hasn’t made a major splash on a free agent starting pitcher outside of their organization since the Barry Zito trade, but they’re in a good position to do so this winter. Madison Bumgarner is a lock for the team’s 2016 rotation, and rookie sensation Chris Heston will likely join him as well.
Matt Cain and Jake Peavy are both signed next season, but they’ve combined to make just 20 starts over the course of 2015 and haven’t been all that great when healthy.
Tim Lincecum, Tim Hudson, and Ryan Vogelsong have all been disappointing this year and are impending free agents, while trade deadline acquisition Mike Leake (another impending free agent) has made just two starts since coming over from the Reds.
Leake is also expected to be on the team’s radar this winter, and could be more compelling of an option than Zimmermann since he won’t have a compensation pick tied to him.
