Gausman hopes to be in SF long term
Pitcher signed 1-year offer this offseason
When right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman accepted a oneyear, $18.9 million qualifying offer to return to the Giants this offseason, he knew he was taking a risk.
Gausman may have left more money on the table, along with the opportunity to remain with a different team for a longer time, but he valued the immediate stability of coming back to the Giants.
“It was tough, but ultimately it came down to being comfortable with where I was going,” Gausman said. “I’ve hopped around the last couple of years and felt like I made some good relationships and had to leave. It’s nice to know what I’m getting myself into, know what to expect and I talked from day one about how
great everyone treated me and my family here.”
In accepting the offer, Gausman bet on himself. He’s hoping he can build off an impressive 2020 season in which he posted a 3.62 ERA, a career-high 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings and a career-best 7.5 hits allowed per nine innings with another strong year in San Francisco.
Gausman also knew that in returning to an organization that values his high90s fastball, dominant splitter and ability to command both pitches in the strike zone, he could set himself up for a longer stay in San Francisco.
The Colorado native is definitely interested in a multiyear pact. The question is whether the Giants would be willing to make that kind of a commitment.
“I’d love to be here long term, but that’s not really up to me,” Gausman said Thursday. “I just think if I go out and pitch well, I’ll let the cards fall where they will.”
With fellow starters Johnny Cueto, Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood all looking to improve following a difficult 2020 season, the Giants are counting on Gausman to deliver results near the top of their rotation. The ninth-year major league veteran has had an up-and-down career, but he and manager Gabe Kapler felt there were positive breakthroughs last
season that can enable him to enjoy more success.
“As good as Gausman’s fastball was last year and it was good, what stood out to us more was his command,”
Kapler said. “He really knew where that pitch was going and he was able to play that highvelo fastball with his split at the bottom and below the zone. What allowed Gausman to take his biggest steps forward was the command.”
Whether Gausman anchors the rotation for one year or the next five, the Giants are confident he has the potential to continue improving. If the righty accomplishes his goal of improving his slider this season, the team may have no choice but to seriously consider a long-term commitment with a starter who is eager to make one. DESCLAFANI ‘EXCEPTIONALLY BOUGHT IN’ » Under Farhan Zaidi’s leadership, the Giants have developed a reputation as a good destination for pitchers who have experienced recent struggles or injury troubles and are looking to reestablish their value at the major league level.
One of the Giants’ top free agent signees, Anthony DeSclafani, falls into that category as the former Cincinnati Reds right-hander posted a 7.22 ERA in nine games (seven starts) last year. DeSclafani isn’t far removed from a 2019 season in which he posted a 120 ERA+ and was one of the more underrated starters in the league. Kapler believes the Giants are the right team to help him round back into form.
“He’s exceptionally bought in,” Kapler said of DeSclafani. “He’s already developed strong relationships with Bailey, Martinez, Bannister and the rest of our coaching staff. With those tools at his disposal, I think he’s a great candidate for a bounce-back season.”