SF Giants to sign flamethrowing, ground-ball machine Jordan Hicks—and plan to use him as a starter

The San Francisco Giants have signed one of the best relievers on the market. The catch? They plan to use him as a starting pitcher. The Giants and Jordan Hicks are reportedly in agreement on a four-year, $44M contract. Hicks, who at 27 years old is the sixth-youngest free agent this offseason, averaged over 100 mph on his sinking fastball last season and is an extreme ground ball pitcher. He profiles as a high-end reliever, but the SF Giants are going a non-traditional route and plan to put him in the rotation. Hicks was a starter at times throughout his minor league career and has made a handful of starts in the majors.

What does this mean about the Giants' rotation? Does the addition of Robbie Ray, paired with today's reported addition of Hicks, take them out on remaining top starters Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery? At first glance, when looking at the Opening Day projected rotation, it shouldn't. But when we flash forward to what the Giants' rotation will look like once Ray and Alex Cobb are ready to come back, it's entirely possible that the Giants are done adding starters. Whether or not that's a bad plan is up for debate.

But the Giants could instead pivot to the position player market at this point. Hicks being another extreme ground ball pitcher, the SF Giants could look to bolster their infield defense with a signing of, say, Matt Chapman, who is an elite defender at third base. Cody Bellinger remains an option as well, and he'd probably play corner outfield and first base (Bellinger is capable of playing center, but the SF Giants signed Jung Hoo Lee to be their center fielder earlier this winter). With only about $28M left before reaching the first luxury tax threshold, it's unlikely the Giants make more than one more significant signing ($20M+ AAV).

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The best daily San Francisco Giants podcast. Whether the Giants are winning championships or retooling for another title run, Locked On Giants host Ben Kaspick—a lifelong Giants fan and former contributor for RotoGraphs and Beyond the Box Score—breaks down every game, rumor, and transaction in a way that's data-driven and rational but also simple, passionate, and accessible to all.

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