The Giants' starting rotation has a theme right now: They probably don't do many things great with their left hand. Kevin Gausman, Johnny Cueto, Anthony DeSclafani, Logan Webb and even the injured Tyler Beede all are right-handed.
To put it in simpler terms, the Giants probably need a left-handed starting pitcher. General manager Scott Harris agrees.
“We could use some more balance in our rotation,” Harris told Jon Morosi and Ryan Spilborghs on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio channel Tuesday afternoon. “I think we’re targeting some left-handed starters out there and we’re hopeful that we might be able to push one across the finish line in the coming weeks, but we like what we have right now there’s a lot of upside in our starting rotation and we’re going to continue to try and add to it as the winter unfolds.”
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There still are plenty of veteran left-handers available on the open market. Former four-time All-Star and World Series MVP Cole Hamels is part of that list, and the Giants might have their eyes on the veteran lefty. Morosi reported Wednesday that Hamels, 37, intends to pitch this season and the Giants "are among the clubs to express preliminary interest" in the 15-year veteran.
Hamels pitched in just one game last season after signing a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, and his one outing didn't go too well. He lasted just 3 1/3 innings and allowed three earned runs in a loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
Hamels worked his way back from a triceps injury before making his season debut on Sept. 16. He didn't make another appearance after that, and was shut down with a shoulder injury.
San Francisco Giants
This isn't the first time the Giants have been connected to Hamels. They reportedly pursued him last offseason before he signed with the Braves, and San Francisco's front office has ties to the Southern California native. Harris was the Chicago Cubs assistant GM when they acquired Hamels from the Texas Rangers at the 2018 trade deadline.
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Hamels went 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA over 12 starts with the Cubs that season.
There's a real chance Hamels doesn't have anything left in the tank. But it's easy to see why the Giants are at least connected to him once again this offseason.