Adrian Houser Signs With the San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants just bought themselves some much-needed peace of mind. In a move that might not break the internet but will certainly help save the bullpen, the Giants have agreed to terms with veteran Adrian Houser. According to reports from ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal is a two-year pact worth $22 million, with a club option tacked on for 2028.
It hasn’t been a boring few years for the 32-year-old sinkerballer. If you’re a Giants fan wondering what you’re getting, you’re getting a guy who has seen the highs and lows of the league and kept throwing strikes through it all.
The Rollercoaster Road To San Francisco
To say Houser has been a journeyman recently is an understatement—he’s practically collected luggage tags from every airport in the league. His 2025 season was a bizarre, tale-of-two-cities campaign that would make anyone’s head spin.
He started the year in the Texas Rangers system but was cut loose in May after a rough stint in Triple-A. At that point, many careers might have fizzled out. Instead, Houser signed with the Chicago White Sox and absolutely dealt. In a twist nobody saw coming, he was one of the few bright spots on the South Side, posting a sparkling 2.10 ERA over 68 innings. He looked like an ace in a rotation that desperately needed one.
Then came the trade deadline. The Rays, always hunting for pitching value, snatched him up. Unfortunately, the magic didn’t quite travel to Florida. His ERA ballooned to 4.79 with Tampa Bay, and the home run ball started to bite him again. Now, he heads to the Bay Area looking to recapture that Chicago magic.
Why Houser Fits the Giants’ Mold
On paper, this is a classic Giants move. San Francisco loves guys who keep the ball on the ground, and Houser is practically allergic to fly balls. Last season, his ground-ball rate sat in the 79th percentile of the league. When you pitch at Oracle Park, keeping the ball in the yard is half the battle.
He isn’t going to blow anyone away with triple-digit heat. He’s not a strikeout artist who will make the highlight reels every night. But he brings a veteran “bulldog” mentality to a rotation that needs stability behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. With Justin Verlander likely heading elsewhere, the Giants needed a guy who could take the ball every fifth day and give them a chance to win.
Building a Complete Staff
This move came hot on the heels of the Giants signing reliever Jason Foley, signaling a clear strategy from the front office: reinforce the pitching staff from top to bottom. $11 million a year for a reliable starter who can eat innings is the going rate in today’s market, and if Houser can replicate his first half of 2025, this contract will look like a steal.
For Houser, it is a chance to settle down in a pitcher-friendly park after a chaotic few years. For the Giants, it is a solid, high-floor acquisition. He might not be the flashiest name under the tree this holiday season, but come July, he might just be the gift that keeps on giving.
