One free agent each MLB team should sign right now

San Francisco Giants: Jeremy Hellickson

It has already been a crazy offseason for the Giants, as they have added Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen in an effort to reverse course quickly from last season’s epic collapse. Adding two All-Stars at key positions will make the offense better in San Francisco, but the Giants still have not addressed the weaknesses in their starting rotation. Pitching was just as much a part of the problem last year.

The Giants painted themselves into a corner by committing over $200 million to Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. That pair combined to go 17-23 with an ERA around 4.50. Cueto made only 25 starts and allowed 1.3 home runs per nine. Samardzija showed an ability to eat up innings, but still gives up too many hits and struggles to get the results that would be expected with his raw abilities.

San Francisco can survive league-average seasons from Cueto and Samardzija, but they cannot overcome a repeat of the numbers Matt Moore and Matt Cain gave from the back of the rotation last season. Moore and Cain went 9-26 with ERAs well over 5.00. Both are gone this year, with Chris Stratton and Tyler Beede slated to step in.

Reinforcements who could step right in to replace Stratton or Beede should they falter are the last thing the Giants need to wrap up their offseason. A cheap veteran who can be counted on to take the ball and keep games close is what the team can afford. Jeremy Hellickson is a good rebound candidate, and should benefit from pitching in spacious AT&T Park.