"Buster Posey's focus was offense this offseason" - Ex-MLB hitter on Giants’ balanced approach to strengthen roster

The San Francisco Giants signed former Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander to a one-year, $15 million deal on Tuesday. The future Hall of Famer adds arguably the best veteran presence in the MLB to the Giants' rotation, and while his best years may be behind him, he can still pitch and be a very good mentor.

The Giants have taken a balanced approach to improve their roster before the start of the 2025 season under the leadership of President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey and General Manager Zack Minasian. Last month, San Francisco signed former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million deal, the largest contract in franchise history.

Former MLBer Xavier Scruggs gave his take on the Giants' offseason moves, highlighting the role of Buster Posey and Zack Minasian. Here's what he said on Wednesday's MLB Network Radio:

"Yeah, I think it says a lot about where the Giants are at and Buster Posey now coming into this fold," Scruggs said. "You've seen him and general manager Zack Minasian ... try to add to this rotation, which is extremely important because of what we've seen your own division already do this season.

"Buster Posey's focus was offense this offseason, and he got some of that with really a dominance, right. But, also, you still have to bring in guys that can give you the opportunity to stay in the game, and I think he does that with Justin Verlander."

It will be interesting to see if adding a capable batter and an experienced pitcher to the team can push San Francisco on in 2025. The franchise is coming off an 80-82 season in which they finished fourth in the NL West, missing the postseason for the third consecutive season.

Can a 42-year-old Justin Verlander bounce back from an injury-hit season to help push the Giants?

Justin Verlander - Image via Getty

Justin Verlander had a difficult 2024 season with the Houston Astros. He missed the start of the season with right shoulder inflammation and then missed two-and-a-half months due to a neck injury. Verlander made his return on Aug. 21 and across 17 games, made seven starts, pitched 90.1 innings and went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA and 74 strikeouts.

Justin Verlander will be 42 in February and is set to play his 20th MLB season. Even if Verlander manages to make 15 starts it would be impressive, historically speaking. Just 31 pitchers have done it at the age of 42 or older. While the Giants will benefit from the experience of the three-time Cy Young winner, he is declining as a pitcher.

Speaking in October, Verlander expressed a strong desire to pitch in the 2025 season.

“I do feel like I have a lot more to give pitching-wise. This year was a tough year, learned a lot from it," Verlander said (via MLB.com). "But having an offseason to get things right, I definitely feel like I want to continue to pitch and compete. I’m not ready to step away yet.”

While Verlander got his wish and is set to play in San Francisco, it remains to be seen if injuries and age limit his effectiveness.