Jordan Hicks Free Agency News: Giants see off stiff competition to rope in former Blue Jays reliever on a four-year, $44,000,000 deal

Since joining MLB in 2018, right hander Jordan Hicks has been used in a relief role. Now, after inking a deal with a new team, it appears as though the 27-year old will be making the move to the rotation.

Per analyst Jeff Passan, Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the San Francisco Giants. For Jordan Hicks, the contract represents the largest, and first multi-year deal of his career.

"BREAKING: Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Hicks, 27, is expected to work as a starter after spending the majority of his career in the bullpen." - Jeff Passan

Hicks split the 2023 season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays. Through 25 appearances, the right-hander went 2-3 with a 2.63 ERA across 24 total innings of work. Questions have been raised about his longevity when he makes the expected move to the rotation.

Though a former third round pick, Hicks has only surpassed the 75-inning mark once in his career. His most active season was also his first in MLB, with 77 innings and 6 saves coming in 2018 for the Texas-native.

"Jordan Hicks brings the heat to strikeout the side in the 8th." - Sportsnet

For the San Francisco Giants, addressing their rotation will be a key issue for the remainder of the offseason. Though the team was expected to be a frontrunner to sign Japanese stud Yoshinobu Yamamoto, their flame seemed to die out in that race. Although the Giants recently acquired former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray from the Seattle Mariners, both Ray and existing starter Alex Cobb are expected to be out until the middle of summer with injuries. Logically, this has to be a reason why the Giants are priming Hicks to take a spot in their rotation.

Jordan Hicks could see a career rejuvenation as a member of the Giants

During his time playing with the St. Louis Cardinals, Hicks never pitched enough to gain any sort of real attention. Now with the opportunity to take up a starting pitching role with a well-known club, his stead might change course.

2024 will be a big challenge, but also a great opportunity for Jordan Hicks to position himself as a starter. Still at a young age, the sky is the limit for Hicks if he decides to put in the requisite work.