After losing 98 games in 2017, the San Francisco Giants are going to have to make a number of significant moves this offseason if they hope to compete in the uber-competitive NL West.
A good way to start would be by poaching talent from the World Series runner-up Dodgers. That’s what they are already considering according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, who reported on Monday that the Giants have checked in on free-agent reliever Brandon Morrow.
“I was told the Giants have checked in on free-agent reliever Brandon Morrow, who’s coming off a spectacular season as a Dodgers setup man,” Shea wrote. “The Giants need an upgraded surrounding cast for closer Mark Melancon, who had a forgettable first year in San Francisco.”
Morrow, a Rohnert Park native, was a beast as LA’s setup man last year, posting a 2.06 ERA in 43.2 innings, and averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine-innings. According to Shea, Morrow has expressed a desire to return to the Dodgers next season.
The Giants’ bullpen ERA was ranked 19th in the majors last season at 4.34. San Francisco broke the bank last offseason when they signed Melancon to a 4-year, $62-million deal. Adding Morrow would, at least on paper, give the Giants one of the best one-two punches in the game.