"Most of the buzz surrounding the Giants this winter has involved the team's pursuits of position players or rotation help, yet the bullpen stands out as a significant need for the team since Randy Rodriguez will miss the 2026 season due to Tommy John surgery. San Francisco signed Sam Hentges and got involved in Devin Williams' market before Williams signed with the Mets, though as with the roster as a whole, not much has yet been done during what has been a quiet Giants offseason."
"Kopech was twice placed on the 60-day IL due to a shoulder impingement and meniscus surgery, and he then finished the season on the 15-day IL due to a recurrence of his right knee discomfort. He did deliver a 2.45 ERA and 22.6% strikeout rate during his small chunk time on the mound this year, but with the huge red flag of a 24.5% walk rate, as Kopech had more walks (13) than strikeouts (12) over his 11 frames."
"Kopech was once one of baseball's most highly-regarded pitching prospects, and was a significant piece of the trade package the White Sox acquired from the Red Sox in the Chris Sale deal in December 2016. He made his MLB debut in 2018 but then didn't pitch in either of the next two seasons, due to a Tommy John surgery and Kopech's decision to opt out of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign."
Offseason focus has been on position and rotation help, but the bullpen is a key need after Randy Rodriguez will miss 2026 due to Tommy John surgery. The Giants signed Sam Hentges and pursued Devin Williams before Williams signed with the Mets. The team has contacted Michael Kopech as a buy-low reliever after an injury-shortened 2025. Kopech threw 11 regular-season innings amid three injured-list stints for shoulder impingement, meniscus surgery and knee discomfort. He posted a 2.45 ERA and 22.6% strikeout rate but a 24.5% walk rate (13 walks, 12 strikeouts). Kopech was once a top prospect and returned as a reliever in 2021 after missing two seasons.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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