The San Francisco Giants have quietly made a move that could prove pivotal for their bullpen this offseason. Left-handed reliever Sam Hentges, formerly of the Cleveland Guardians, has signed a one-year deal worth $1.4 million. The contract represents a low-risk, high-reward acquisition, giving the Giants a potentially valuable bullpen arm while providing Hentges the opportunity to return from a lost 2025 season.
Hentges was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft and worked his way through the minors before making his major league debut in 2021. Over parts of four seasons with Cleveland, he appeared in 168 games and pitched 206 ⅔ innings with a 4.18 ERA. His breakout came in 2022 when he posted a 2.32 ERA across 62 innings, proving he could handle a heavy bullpen workload and deliver consistent results.
From 2022 through 2023, Hentges maintained solid performance, recording a 2.93 ERA over 138 appearances, solidifying himself as a dependable left-handed bullpen option. However, the 2025 season was a lost one for Hentges. Shoulder surgery in September 2024 followed by arthroscopic knee surgery in August 2025 sidelined him for the year, leading the Guardians to non-tender him after the season.
The Giants are betting on Hentges’ recovery and past success. Their bullpen enters the offseason with uncertainty: the team has limited proven left-handed options following the non-tender of Joey Lucchesi, leaving a gap that Hentges could fill. In addition, other left-handed relievers such as Erik Miller, Matt Gage, and Reiver Sanmartín offer depth but no guarantee of consistent high-leverage performance. Hentges’ experience and prior success make him a potential top option for the Giants’ southpaw slot.
If healthy, Hentges could provide a mid- to late-inning weapon, capable of handling high-leverage situations or long relief appearances. His signing is emblematic of a “buy-low, potential-upside” approach — the Giants are acquiring a veteran reliever with prior success at a modest cost. Should Hentges return to form, he could become a key piece of San Francisco’s bullpen while giving the front office roster flexibility.
There are, of course, risks. Hentges has not pitched competitively since mid-2024, and returning from both shoulder and knee surgeries introduces uncertainty. If he struggles, the Giants stand to lose little financially but still face the challenge of a bullpen that needs reliable arms. Conversely, a healthy, effective Hentges could provide immediate value, filling a hole in the roster while complementing other relievers.
For the Cleveland Guardians, letting Hentges go is part of a broader strategy. Non-tendering him reflects a shift toward younger arms and other bullpen priorities. Meanwhile, the move underscores the sometimes harsh realities of roster management in MLB, where injuries and financial considerations frequently lead teams to part with experienced players.
For San Francisco, the Hentges signing is an early indicator of a bullpen rebuild. It signals a willingness to take calculated risks on low-cost veterans with upside, a strategy that could pay dividends if other offseason acquisitions and internal player development succeed. In sum, this one-year deal gives the Giants an affordable, potentially impactful left-handed arm while offering Hentges a chance at resurgence — a classic example of a mutually beneficial offseason move.
Leave a Reply