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Giants Sign Adrian Houser

By Steve Adams | December 19, 2025 at 11:05am CDT

December 19th: The Giants have officially announced the Houser signing but haven’t yet announced a corresponding move.

December 16th: The Giants and righty Adrian Houser are in agreement on a two-year, $22MM contract, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan. There’s a club option for a third season. Houser, a client of the BBI Sports Group, will presumably step right into San Francisco’s rotation next season after a rebound showing in 2025. The Giants, who also announced a one-year deal with former Tigers closer Jason Foley less than an hour ago, will need to free up a pair of 40-man roster spots, as they were already at capacity prior to either of those two agreements.

Houser, who’ll turn 33 in February, was a steady presence in the Milwaukee rotation for several years. From 2021-23, Houser started 68 games for the Brewers (in addition to five relief outings) and logged a 3.94 ERA. His 17.6% strikeout rate and 9.4% walk rate were both worse than average, but Houser piled up grounders at a 51.3% rate and managed to consistently avoid the long ball (0.83 HR/9).

The Brewers traded Houser to the Mets in the 2023-24 offseason, ahead of what was set to be his final season of club control. He struggled through his lone year in Queens (5.84 ERA in seven starts and 16 relief outings) before being designated for assignment and cut loose. He wound up settling for a minor league contract with the Rangers in free agency last winter. Texas didn’t bring him up to the big leagues prior to an opt-out date, so Houser returned to the market and signed a big league deal with the White Sox — a decision that now stands as a turning point in his career.

Houser hit the ground running and never looked back. In 11 starts with the ChiSox, he pitched 68 2/3 innings of 2.10 ERA ball. As was the case in Milwaukee, Houser posted a strikeout rate well shy of the 22% league average (17.1%), but he did so with better command (8% walk rate) and even fewer round-trippers (0.39 HR/9). Houser’s home run suppression didn’t seem sustainable; only 4.6% of the fly-balls he surrendered with the Sox turned into homers — miles south of the league-average 11.9% mark and his own career mark of 11.5%.

Following a trade to Tampa Bay, Houser indeed saw his home run luck run out. His homer-to-flyball rate jumped to 11.9%, and he averaged 1.12 homers per nine frames. The resulting 4.79 ERA was pretty closely in line with his 4.62 SIERA with Chicago. Still, Houser proved a durable source of innings down the stretch for the Rays, pitching 56 1/3 frames across 10 starts. Overall, he finished out the season with a 3.31 ERA, 17.8% strikeout rate, 7.3% walk rate, 48.9% ground-ball rate and 0.73 HR/9.

Houser will slot into new skipper Tony Vitello’s rotation behind Logan Webb, Robbie Ray and Landen Roupp. The Giants have a host of candidates for the fifth and final spot on the staff, including (but not limited to) Blade Tidwell, Carson Seymour, Kai-Wei Teng, Trevor McDonald, Hayden Birdsong and well-regarded prospect Carson Whisenhunt.

The Giants have been on the hunt for rotation help this winter, and while they’ve been connected to some of the more prominent names on the market, ownership has publicly expressed a reluctance to commit long-term to a starting pitcher. That’s made fits with pitchers like Tatsuya Imai, Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez seem unlikely, though it’s at least plausible that the Giants could look to further augment their starting staff via the trade market or another shorter-term deal such as today’s Houser agreement.

Given Houser’s inconsistent track record, lack of missed bats and generally unsustainable level of home run suppression with the White Sox, it’s a fairly steep price for the Giants to pay. Then again, San Francisco’s Oracle Park is one of the most pitcher-friendly venues in the sport. Oracle Park is particularly tough on left-handed home run power, which dovetails nicely with Houser’s skill set. He held right-handers to an awful .249/.293/.320 batting line in 2025 (.234/.296/.339 career) but was tagged by lefties for a .274/.356/.456 batting line last season (and .282/.367/.456 for his career).

The addition of Houser pushes San Francisco to about $203MM of luxury tax obligations, per RosterResource. The Giants are more than $40MM shy of the $244MM first-tier threshold. However, while they’ve paid the tax in the past — doing so as recently as 2024 — it’s not clear whether they’re comfortable doing so in 2026. Ownership comments downplaying the possibility of adding additional long-term deals would suggest at least some trepidation about spending to those heights.

The Giants are still looking for help in the outfield, at second base and/or in the bullpen. While the top-end free agents to whom they were loosely linked earlier in free agency (e.g. Imai, Valdez) don’t seem like realistic targets, barring an about-face from ownership on the team’s stance regarding long-term commitments, there are still various avenues to pursue. Free agency offers no shortage of veteran hitters and relievers available on short-term deals, and San Francisco is reportedly among the teams most aggressively pursuing Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan.

President of baseball operations Buster Posey presumably has several more moves up his sleeve, and while the addition of Houser doesn’t necessarily raise the team’s ceiling much, it does boost the floor of a rotation that was pretty rife with question marks beyond the veteran Webb/Ray tandem up top.

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155 Comments

  1. Salzilla

    1 month ago

    Feels like a bit for Houser? No?

    9
    Reply
    • bag o ballz

      1 month ago

      the going rate for pitching is high in general

      8
      Reply
    • Player Formly known as Logjammer D'Baggagecling

      1 month ago

      Is he from Canada eh?

      Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        1 month ago

        His value should take off, eh?

        Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      1 month ago

      I get Houser mixed up with Lauer and Lauer with Houser.

      1
      Reply
      • Pete'sView

        1 month ago

        Me too.

        1
        Reply
      • Schlitz

        1 month ago

        Me too. The Brewers got both in trades, they both were good , then bad, both jumped around to different teams, became good again, then bad again.

        1
        Reply
  2. WadeBoggsWildRide

    1 month ago

    Tell that to poor Verlander.

    15
    Reply
    • Patriot12992

      1 month ago

      I think he was just referencing the lack of run support last season

      8
      Reply
    • WadeBoggsWildRide

      1 month ago

      He couldn’t buy a win pitching for the Giants last year.

      7
      Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      1 month ago

      “Has Kate Upton…” Verlander doesn’t own her.

      10
      Reply
    • el_chapo_

      1 month ago

      It’s a bird! it a plane! no, it’s captain-literal-man!

      11
      Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      1 month ago

      He may be ignorant but hes not wrong

      5
      Reply
    • _balderdash_

      1 month ago

      They scored when he pitched poorly the begin the season, then the offense died when he finally got on track.

      Reply
    • CleaverGreene

      1 month ago

      Soon Brother soon,

      Reply
    • Bart Harley Jarvis

      1 month ago

      So, you’re saying she’s not a prisoner of love!

      2
      Reply
    • Robbie Ray on Roids

      1 month ago

      Verlander needs to take roids, like I do

      1
      Reply
      • WadeBoggsWildRide

        1 month ago

        Roids make you shoot blanks.

        Reply
    • mab51357

      1 month ago

      “Poor Verlander” didn’t pitch well at all in 11 of his starts. Mainly the first half of the season. Although the offense didn’t help him a lot, there were chances for him to notch some wins if he pitched a bit better. He also issued 4-5 walks in less than 6 innings many times which also didn’t help him. Most people remember his second half in which he pitched fairly well. I’m sure the Giants would take him back this year if the money was right and he wanted to return.

      Reply
      • Ramos Splash Hit

        1 month ago

        The bullpen directly turned at least 6 W’s into L’s on JV’s record, by coming in and blowing leads in the same inning, including a couple times early in the season. .Not to mention other times Verlander was in line for a W, but it got blown late by the pen. JV rightfully should have been credited with at least 10 W’s, and 6 less L’s. That would have been a handy 10-5. And that’s a conservative estimate. There was just some of the weirdest luck I’ve ever seen. Him either.

        Reply
    • Ramos Splash Hit

      1 month ago

      Not to mention bullpen meltdowns.

      Reply
    • Ramos Splash Hit

      1 month ago

      I think that’s up to them, not you.

      Reply
  3. GiantsFan81

    1 month ago

    Giants doin something all of a sudden..

    2
    Reply
    • Pete'sView

      1 month ago

      But not much. Both Houser and Foley are soft tossers and useful, but Buster/Zach need to aim considerably higher for the next rotation addition.

      And if they save money that way, perhaps they go a bit bigger on adding a bat (either at 2b or in the OF).

      2
      Reply
      • Ramos Splash Hit

        1 month ago

        Houser is a decent pickup. Ground ball pitchers do well in SF. Even before Oracle Park… Remember Billy Swift? It would be nice to see one of the big free agent pitchers. They are looking at them. They’ve already had a visit with Framber Valdez. He would be a great pick up. Another sinker baller, basically a LH Logan Webb type. Perfect fit.

        As for the OF, Tucker would be nice imo. Or Bader and move Lee over to RF.

        Reply
  4. davemlaw

    1 month ago

    Houser had a winning record for the White Sox before he was traded to the Rays.
    Any pitcher who can win with the ChiSox sounds like a good arm to me.
    Webb, Ray, Roupp, Houser and a 5th starter from the current 40 man or deeper, that’s alright. Not great but it’s a positive sign.

    7
    Reply
    • Seamaholic

      1 month ago

      He was terrible with the better team in the more pitcher-friendly park, in Tampa.

      Reply
      • chazzycat

        1 month ago

        Tampa is a hitters park, temporarily at least

        6
        Reply
      • davemlaw

        1 month ago

        Yeah, he played outside in Tampa during August and September.
        Come on man, do better

        6
        Reply
        • vtadave

          1 month ago

          He can’t do better.

          2
          Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      1 month ago

      Seemed to be on a heater on Southside that would soon cool off. WSox are good at helping starters make really good money elsewhere. They now have to make good with its current in-house group.

      2
      Reply
    • Pete'sView

      1 month ago

      davemlaw—

      Houser is a #5 and injury prone.

      3
      Reply
      • davemlaw

        1 month ago

        He threw 5 IP at us last year with no runs at PacBell (til the day I die name).
        I’ll take that and one more please.
        He’s also not Jordan Hicks nor is he supposed to start the season on the IL.

        3
        Reply
        • burly

          1 month ago

          I refer to it as McCovey Park through all the name changes.

          1
          Reply
        • Ramos Splash Hit

          1 month ago

          ‘That place the Giants play baseball’ *™️

          Reply
    • mab51357

      1 month ago

      Davemlaw: First 3 starters in the rotation should get the Giants between 30-40 wins. Webb, who’s a yearly CY candidate along with a good 2nd season from Ray who is all the way back from TJ surgery. He’ll also be better in the dog days. Verlander must not want to sign with the team that gave him a shot by signing him last year. I’d like to see him back along with getting Scherzer too.

      1
      Reply
  5. kgcubs

    1 month ago

    Good for SF! Wonder if they also try for Gallen? Mahalo

    2
    Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      I think they need another lefty.
      Please.

      1
      Reply
      • simonkiller

        1 month ago

        Plenty of lefties already in SF . . .

        Reply
        • dubtastic

          1 month ago

          so you’re fine w/Ray and Wisenhunt as the only left handed SPs?

          1
          Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          Last year of Ray, so unless extended there is definite need moving forward.
          Trade might be best route..

          1
          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          Mackenzie Gore and good to go.

          1
          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          dubtastic, If they both start that’s 2./5s of the rotation. Why would you want more? Especially since Oracle is more difficult for LHHs, it seems like you’d want more RHPs in the rotation.

          Reply
        • Pete'sView

          1 month ago

          Not with what the Nationals want for him. And he’s not an ace.

          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          The ace trade market is pretty limited. Trying to be realistic here.

          Young but been around for a bit. 2 years of control. Upside involved. Someone is going to give up more than the paper value. It’s how you get players.

          Reply
        • mab51357

          1 month ago

          Simon: What lefties? Ray, Whisenhunt. Not counting any relievers

          1
          Reply
      • kgcubs

        1 month ago

        Aloha oldgfan, I had heard early on about Framber but wonder if they still pursue him or trade for a lefty. And are they still interested in Zac Gallen? Mahalo

        Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          I’m sure they would like Framber on a short term high AAV deal and will wait out the market on him. Houser probably just took Gallens spot. Bubic for a trade seems doable to me. Aloha !

          3
          Reply
        • mab51357

          1 month ago

          oldgfan: Would Framber be a good teammate? And this is an honest question. Obviously it would be great to have him.

          Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          Don’t know the man personally.
          Know his stuff though, ground ball machine. Perfect for our needs.
          Just can’t go to 5 years on him, which means it’s a long shot to get him. I never believe half the club house cancer crap that gets tossed around on anybody.

          1
          Reply
      • mab51357

        1 month ago

        Oldgfan: I agree that another lefty would be nice. They have a buttload of RHP starters that were used last year.

        2
        Reply
      • Ramos Splash Hit

        1 month ago

        They’ve had a visit with Framber Valdez, so maybe they think so too.

        Reply
    • Pete'sView

      1 month ago

      Gallen makes lots of sense.

      Reply
      • Jean Matrac

        1 month ago

        IDK about Gallen. Two straight years of declining numbers. He is a bounce back candidate, but is that worth giving up a draft pick for?

        1
        Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          The pick and the 4 year term he wants are a little troublesome. I think his spot just got filled.

          1
          Reply
        • mab51357

          1 month ago

          I don’t think Gallen will get 4 years from any team. He’ll be lucky to get 3 years from someone IMO.

          Reply
  6. amk1920

    1 month ago

    He had a good run in a no pressure White Sox environment but this reeks of Eric Fedde all over again. NL west will light this guy up

    4
    Reply
    • Seamaholic

      1 month ago

      He was OK in Milwaukee though, at least at times.

      1
      Reply
    • foppert3

      1 month ago

      Ha ha. Or he will go alright to pretty well. Just like many other unheralded pitchers have done in SF.

      1
      Reply
      • oldgfan

        1 month ago

        That Gausman guy comes to mind.

        2
        Reply
  7. Astros71

    1 month ago

    Back of rotation starter.

    6
    Reply
  8. worthington

    1 month ago

    Giants on a tight budget.

    4
    Reply
  9. LFGMets (Metsin7) #BannedAgain&Again&AgainFireStearns

    1 month ago

    He is horrible, good luck

    Reply
    • simonkiller

      1 month ago

      Eats, shoots & leaves

      2
      Reply
  10. Longtimecoming

    1 month ago

    Come on AJ SD missed on May and now Houser. SD almost surely will have 2 spots manned by similar guys.

    1
    Reply
    • winniejones31

      1 month ago

      The Padres will probably sign German Marquez is my guess.

      1
      Reply
    • foppert3

      1 month ago

      They cost more than 1m per annum. Similar guys acquired by trade is my guess for AJ’s financial boundaries.

      Reply
    • Jaysfansince92

      1 month ago

      I wonder if they’d be interested in Berrios if the Jays paid the contract down a little bit. There’s 3 years left on his deal, but it’s the same AAV as Houser got.

      Reply
    • Simm

      1 month ago

      Definitely happy the padres didn’t pay this guy 11m a year on a multi year deal.

      He is no better than Sears.

      1
      Reply
      • Longtimecoming

        1 month ago

        Hopefully, the man can unlock something in JP for 2026.

        Adrian has the edge for 2025 for sure based on any stat you want to pick.

        At 3.3 WAR in 2025, it would seem as if 11 mil isn’t out of whack based on the amount that guys are getting.

        2
        Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Long it depends on which guy you buy. The white Sox or the rays and mets guy.

          1
          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          Mets and Rays are a combined 33 games out of a career 173 games. The Brewers guy wasn’t too bad.

          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          Its 11m. It would be nice, but he doesn’t have to the white Sox guy. He has to be in the middle of the Rays/Mets guy and the White Sox guy.

          Reply
        • mab51357

          1 month ago

          If Houser can eat some innings and be decent doing it, 11 mil per year seems to be about right. Isn’t that about the same Verlander got last year?

          1
          Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Less, think he got 15m.

          Reply
        • redmatt

          1 month ago

          Half of his career value was last year. He’s got 9 other years to show that he’s not worth it. A 33 year old soft tossing righty at $11 million? I’d think any of the options listed for the Giants in the writeup could approximate what Houser will give them. Not a terrible signing, but vastly more downside than upside.

          1
          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          That makes no sense. He had a 126 ERA+ last season but had ERA+ numbers of 127 and 128 earlier in his career. He also posted a 120 ERA+ earlier.

          The bad numbers in other years was due to injuries. He does look a bit injury-prone, and that’s the gamble. If he’s healthy, and lives up to the projections in 2026, he’ll easily be worth the $11M.

          1
          Reply
  11. jvent

    1 month ago

    $11 mil per for Houser ? Lol

    7
    Reply
  12. Chin Muzak

    1 month ago

    A couple solid pick ups for SF today.

    4
    Reply
    • Pete'sView

      1 month ago

      Solid but don’t raise the bar.

      Reply
      • Chin Muzak

        1 month ago

        raises the floor which is a hallmark of successful teams like the Brewers and Friedman-era Rays.

        3
        Reply
  13. Jacksson13

    1 month ago

    ADRIAN !!
    I done it !!

    Reply
  14. SF Sweet Lou

    1 month ago

    Houser can step in and eat up innnings for a couple years at an affordable salary until some of the younger arms can find their footing and fill in the rotation. Signing seems very Vogelsongesque…

    4
    Reply
    • bblhsf

      1 month ago

      Feels like a lot of money for a back of the rotation, questionable starter. Really hoping they bring in one more SP that’s more mid-rotation. I think we’re still looking like a .500 team if our rotation is done and we’re not bringing in a closer-type.

      2
      Reply
  15. Castiglione

    1 month ago

    Giants aiming for mediocrity, and doing a hell of a job at it. The approach to free agency really shows they think Melvin was the issue because this move ticks the needle in the wrong direction.

    5
    Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      Yup. Free Agency already closed.
      Time to pass judgment, and pretend to know what they think.

      4
      Reply
    • foppert3

      1 month ago

      Here’s a non Melvin alternative. The approach to free agency shows they aren’t prepared to limit future flexibility by handing out big long contracts to players they aren’t overly excited about.

      7
      Reply
      • Castiglione

        1 month ago

        Would love to see if the responses are the same when they win 80 to 82 games and Houser has a 4.54 ERA and 1.4 WHIP. Pulling for Posey but a move like this is uninspiring.

        Glad I haven’t bought any tickets for 2026, unfortunately because of my love for baseball and having kids that love it too I will probably be spending on overly priced tickets for mediocre team again.

        2
        Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          So it’s uninspiring. Oh you poor thing. I’m sure you and the kids will get through it ok.

          4
          Reply
        • Steinbrenner2728

          1 month ago

          Here’s a tip, Castiglione: That money can better be spent on spending time with your kids instead of on a “mediocre” team. Start parenting, quit complaining.

          3
          Reply
        • Pete'sView

          1 month ago

          Off season is not over.

          2
          Reply
        • Castiglione

          1 month ago

          Spoke like a true fan, I’m sure you just guzzle what ever the Yanks front office does. Didn’t know this forum was only for positive views. Bad Day Steiny?

          Reply
    • JackStrawb

      1 month ago

      @Castiglione Agreed. We don’t need to see what else the Giants will do to know this was $22m ill-spent. Most of the credible projection systems have Houser giving you around 1.0 to 1.2 fWAR in 2026 in 130-140 IP, but that innings total makes little sense. Houser hasn’t pitched that much since 2021, and then only barely—and even if he gets you a win in 2026, age related decline projects to cut that in half in 2027. .

      He’s also projected to pitch to a 4.50 ERA, which he might actually reach in the Giants park.

      Seems foolish though, or if not foolish then a sign of organizational deficiency and uncertainty. It’s not a Herculean task, to groom a AAA guy to give you 100 innings with a 4.75 ERA (or… What Else is a Blade Tidwell For?), leaving you to put the $11m AAV towards a player who can make a real difference somewhere. Granted Buster’s new to this, but still…. Tidwell and others are around.

      Paying Adrian Houser real money because he got lucky for the White Sox feels like a bad use of limited resources. Too much of the time Houser’s going to get blasted then DFA’ed in the first year of this deal.

      6
      Reply
  16. Candlestoked

    1 month ago

    That makes a need for two cuts to the 40 man. Trade coming, maybe.

    Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      Kinda six that the 60 day IL can’t be used in the offseason for a guy like Foley.
      I’m hoping trade too, but there are a couple guys who could be cut as well.

      Reply
      • Wilmer the Thrillmer

        1 month ago

        Dean is first to go.

        2
        Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          I’m going Meckler.

          2
          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          I’m going two guys in a trade.

          1
          Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          I hope you’re right.

          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          I’m on that option as well.

          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          Maybe more wishful thinking on my part than anything, but, why not?

          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          To me, a balls out trade for a starter is the obvious option.

          1
          Reply
        • oldgfan

          1 month ago

          But there is the fact that the Cards have yet to make the roster move to enable finalizing Dustin May…
          Things that make you go hmmmmm.

          Reply
  17. Jaysfansince92

    1 month ago

    Wow. It’s amazing the kind of aav one good season can get you these days. 3/30 for Ponce feels pretty good right about now.

    Hopefully for the Giant’s sake, whatever Houser had going for him last season carries over into this year. On the plus side, he’s got a pretty good ballpark to pitch in next year.

    Reply
    • Simm

      1 month ago

      More like one lucky 2/3rds of a season. He wasn’t good with Tampa.

      Reply
      • foppert3

        1 month ago

        6 years of starting pitching to a 4 era.

        Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Last two years outsides some luck he has been a 5 era guy for two different teams.

          Hope the best of luck for him. Should be able to keep the mid going in San Francisco.

          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          Ha ha. Good luck with Hart.

          Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Aww fop, do you really think hart will the be the 5th starter.

          1
          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          Decent chance by the looks of things. You know the financial situation. I know many are hanging onto the hopeful, but ultimately non committal words offered by the front office regarding payroll , but logic suggests you aren’t spending a dollar more than absolutely necessary. The complete absence of Padre speculation in regard to free agents supports the theory.

          We will see what the Preller man pulls out, but no way am I ruling out Hart starting games.

          Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Only way hart is in the rotation is if he is really good in the spring.

          I’ll take any bet you want the padres will add a starter.

          1
          Reply
        • foppert3

          1 month ago

          Ha ha. No chance I’m taking that bet.

          What’s the current pecking order:

          Pivetta Musgrove Vasquez……..Hart ?

          Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Current…let’s check back opening day.

          Preller will figure out the puzzle.

          Reply
        • winniejones31

          1 month ago

          It’s Pivetta, Musgrove, Randy Vasquez, Carson Montgomery/Hart and German Marquez/Matt Waldron. We don’t have Marquez yet but he does make sense for us given that he should be very cheap and able to pitch many innings. I don’t think that’s an especially good rotation but with our bullpen maybe it evens out. IMO there’s also a decent chance we get more than a few bullpen starts. We have so many quality relievers in the minor and major leagues. It would be a waste not to utilize that depth – often as possible.

          Reply
        • Simm

          1 month ago

          Winnie- people don’t realize but the padres got a 4.55 era last year from cease/king/darvish combined.

          Musgrove we replace some of those innings at likely a lower era than 4.55.

          While it would be nice to upgrade those numbers. They really only need an avg innings eater or two to replace what they have lost.

          Padres pen is what carries the weight.

          1
          Reply
        • winniejones31

          1 month ago

          And with the Padres deep bullpen a starter doesn’t need to go six to be useful.

          Reply
        • winniejones31

          1 month ago

          I forgot JP Sears. He’s a likely rotation option too.

          Reply
      • Jean Matrac

        1 month ago

        He still finished 2025 with a 126 ERA+ despite the struggle in a AAA park in Tampa.

        Reply
    • mab51357

      1 month ago

      Jaysfan: We’ll see how Ponce does back here in MLB. Going to need to get MLB hitters out. Not as easy as it was for Ponce in 2025 when he was pitching overseas. Jury still out on Ponce for 30M. Could workout good and could workout bad.

      1
      Reply
  18. Wilmer the Thrillmer

    1 month ago

    I’m holding out for Fairbanks plus a top starter.

    1
    Reply
    • Pete'sView

      1 month ago

      Fairbanks, meh. Top starter, definitely!

      Reply
  19. 9timeworldchamps

    1 month ago

    This is a solid move for a good player.

    1
    Reply
    • bblhsf

      1 month ago

      lots of inconsistencies and lots of money for it

      Reply
  20. MLB Top 100 Commenter

    1 month ago

    Looks like we will see less of Seymour

    Hope Giants get the White Sox or Brewers version of Houser, and not the Mets or Rays version

    1
    Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      If only Seymour could learn to keep the ball down. His high fastball probably got him to the majors, but gets hit HARD up here. His pure stuff is good. He just needs to become a sinker all guy and work on control in the lower part of the strike zone.

      2
      Reply
  21. Jean Matrac

    1 month ago

    People that say this is an overpay aren’t paying attention to what FA SPs are signing for, even if the are BOR. Houser has a career 104 ERA+. Steven Matz just sign for an AAV of $7.5M. He’s 2 years older with a 98 ERA+ for his career. AZ gave Mike Soroka $7.5 M. His ERA+ for the last 3 years is 85.

    Guys that also signed for less are guys coming back from Japan like Foster Griffin, who had a career 70 ERA+, when he went to the NPB in 2022, and Anthony Kay, who had a career ERA+ of 81 in 2023 when he left for the NPB.

    3
    Reply
    • bblhsf

      1 month ago

      Just seems that one of our young guys could put up similar numbers, so why not use the money for something more helpful. And it still seems like an overpay and for multiple years.

      1
      Reply
      • Jean Matrac

        1 month ago

        bblhsf, The Giants depending on 2 of the younger guys is a gamble. And what if none can of them can be effective? Plus, there will be injuries.

        If Whisenhunt and McDonald, or maybe Birdsong, do really well, it would be a surprise given the lack of experience. But even if they do, then Houser could go to the bullpen. It would be a good problem to have.

        Houser could also be flipped at the deadline if he does really well at Oracle, and the youngsters also do surprisingly well. Seems like signing someone like Houser is safer, has more options available to Posey, and doesn’t leave them depending on inexperienced youngsters.

        3
        Reply
    • Pete'sView

      1 month ago

      It’s true. The prices this off season are absurd.

      Reply
    • redmatt

      1 month ago

      He’s 33. He doesn’t miss bats. Half of his career worth came last year. Never pitched more than 145 innings/year.

      Last year looks like a fluke. It’s not a crippling contract, but I don’t know why a team, that has younger candidates for the 5th starter role, would essentially waste $11 million a year on a guy that you really don’t have a reason to be good. It looks like a move to make a move, Again, not terrible, and it looks like the market is vastly overrating mediocrity. Those guys coming back from Asia are shiny objects. Just wait until July and we’ll see what their numbers are like.

      2
      Reply
      • Jean Matrac

        1 month ago

        How can 2025 look like a fluke when he’s pitched better in previous years?

        You’re just not paying attention to what the salaries are for SPs, if you think $11M is an overpay. In fact, $11M for a guy that provides a safety net for the young inexperienced guys they have, an affords options for the team, is money well spent.

        Almost every team is looking for pitching, I’m sure you understand supply and demand. Demand is up and supply is down which tells us prices will be at a premium.

        Plus, I’ll trust the opinion of the Giants’ scouts and sabermetric dept. over your opinion. No insult intended, but those guys are the professionals, and I’m willing to concede they know a ton more than I do about analyzing pitchers.

        Reply
        • redmatt

          1 month ago

          Half of his career WAR was last year. I don’t see how that means he could have pitched better in other years.

          Reply
        • redmatt

          1 month ago

          Supply of starters is pretty constant. I’ll grant you that teams might be more reluctant to start younger pitchers, which is weird to me. Bottom line is that it’s an awful lot to gamble on a 33 year old soft tosser when a team has multiple options that could approximate his perfornance at less than a tenth of the price.

          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          I’ll amend my statement to one better season, since one of the 2 I though was better is a small sample, so I’ll eliminate that one.

          That said, last season Houser threw 125 IP, and had an ERA+ of 126. In 2021 he threw 142.1 IP, with an ERA+ of 128. And he pitched nearly as well in 2019 as last season when he threw 111.1 IP and had a 120 ERA+.

          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          Yes supply of SP is pretty constant, there’s never enough any year. The rise in salaries is constant as well. And just as constant is the number of people posting overpay on every pitcher signing article.

          Every FA signing is a gamble. We’ll just have to disagree whether $11M is an overpay. I don’t see it as one. The Giants can easily afford it and aren’t close to the first tier of the CBT threshold. There’s still room for more FAs.

          Reply
        • redmatt

          1 month ago

          True. Hey, If Houser is even around league average in July, I’ll come back here and eat crow.

          1
          Reply
        • Jean Matrac

          1 month ago

          I don’t need you to eat crow if your guess isn’t right, that’s not why I come here. I just like the debate from different points of view. No one can know if he’ll work out or not, but I do hope you’re wrong.

          Reply
  22. Ann Porkins

    1 month ago

    In isolation, I’m very whelmed. He profiles well as a fifth starter at Oracle Park.

    In context of an ownership seemingly content to squander the prime years remaining to Webb, Devers, Chapman, and Adames, I’m pessimistic that this is roughly as big of a rotation upgrade they make all winter. This team needs a bonafide mid- or upper-rotation starter, and at least one bonafide setup/closer arm in the bullpen. Houser should be the third-biggest pitching acquisition if this team is serious about contention.

    5
    Reply
  23. leftcoaster

    1 month ago

    Bless Buster’s heart.

    1
    Reply
  24. diphthong

    1 month ago

    Assuming good health the next two years, will be interesting to see the home and away stats on Houser. Will they be Jekyll and Hyde or Mary-Kate and Ashley?

    Reply
  25. Wilmer the Thrillmer

    1 month ago

    The Giants also signed Gregory Santos to a minor league deal. Big fastball. He was traded by Boston to the Giants in 2017 for Eduardo Nunez. Then went to the White Sox and had a big year in 2023 (2.65 FIP in 60 games). Seattle traded for him and he’s been mostly hurt the last 2 seasons.

    Both Foley and Santos are arb eligible through 2028. I really like the Foley signing even if he doesn’t pitch until July.

    My hope is that Houser will be a swing man like Junis (albeit an expensive one) because they will have 5 better starting pitchers.

    1
    Reply
  26. mz90gu

    1 month ago

    Trade robbie ray for prospects then sign framber

    Reply
  27. JayRyder

    1 month ago

    Cost are high, hence the 11 mil per year tag. A right handed with grit who can lock down the 4 spot in the rotation. A trade is coming for a number 3. And an opening for a young guy to step up with the 5. Wait till next year to spend big when ray is a free agent, Maybe on him or someone else.

    Bullpen ground baller. Hopefully can take the Rogers spot in the 8th, with closing experience if needed. Still need a closer, that will have to work itself out. And another lefty.

    Reply
    • JayRyder

      1 month ago

      I forgot that they had signed the other starter and lefty. So they’re probably good on that front. Perhaps another starter, but they have the young guys lined up. And some of those young guys will go to the pen as long men. I don’t see a big free agent pitcher coming. Not sure what the strategy is here because they have money but I don’t think they’re pushing all the chips in yet. More a wait n see approach.

      Trades would be the only way to improve at this point, But it’s usually one trade that is an overpay. The Second Baseman Donavin would be the smartest move I’d say.

      Lee better have a great season.

      Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      Skubal would be the big target next year if he makes it to FA without getting traded.
      Bay Area roots, and a replacement for Ray.

      1
      Reply
  28. VegasSDfan

    1 month ago

    He must have seen Californias Gold..

    Reply
  29. Enjoy sack lunch

    1 month ago

    Howdy stranger!

    Reply
  30. redmatt

    1 month ago

    Big overpay. Seems like MLB has lost their minds on pitching.

    1
    Reply
  31. dclivejazz

    1 month ago

    Houser looks the part, anyway.

    Reply
  32. Guayacon

    1 month ago

    Sign Bollinger and a top starting pitcher not dumpster diving for reject

    2
    Reply
  33. Warren Spahn

    1 month ago

    Houser gets 22 million from the Giants, this guy a well-traveled pitcher that really hasn’t done crap in the majors. These salaries are insane.

    Reply
  34. The Gambler

    1 month ago

    That was a no brainer good pickup for giants

    Reply
  35. CCCTL

    1 month ago

    Don’t worry, the Giants did spend more money: they bought a theater.

    sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-make-offseason…

    No news yet on whether the 103-year-old theater can throw a slider or hit for power.

    1
    Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      To be renamed The Framber.
      Same cost, but will last longer.
      Does have a lights out slider.
      It’s basically the switch that can vary the lighting.

      Reply
    • oldgfan

      1 month ago

      Rotation for 2026
      Webb
      Ray
      Roupp
      Houser
      Theater

      Reply

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