San Francisco Giants: Key Free Agents and Potential Targets

Relief Pitcher

Oct 25, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the 8th inning during game four of the 2014 World Series at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

1) Sergio Romo: While the numbers don’t look great for Romo in 2014, take away his outing against the Colorado Rockies, and he had another great season. Romo has enjoyed success as a closer but has flourished as the set-up man. He is another guy who keep things loose and free in the clubhouse, and that is a huge asset. Romo will be one of the most sought-after bullpen arms, but don’t be surprised if Romo returns to the Giants in 2015.

2) Pat Neshek: Neshek is basically a right-handed version of Javier Lopez, as he used a funky delivery and off-speed pitches to keep batters off-balance. He won’t blow anyone away with fastballs that top out around 88 mph, but his sinker, changeup and slider are his real weapons.

In 2014 with the St. Louis Cardinals, he appeared in 71 games and finished the year with a 1.87 ERA and .787 WHIP. Those tremendous numbers earned him an All-Star selection as a set-up man, which is rare. He will be a very hot commodity on the open market.

3) Luke Hochevar: Hochevar missed the entire 2014 season following Tommy John surgery, but he may be willing to take a fairly cheap “prove yourself” type of contract.

Hochevar came into the league as a starter, but hestruggled mightily, going 38-59 with a 5.39 ERA and 1.403 WHIP in his first six years. But in 2013, when the Kansas City Royals decided to use Hochevar out of the bullpen, he became a revelation. In 58 games, his ERA and WHIP both dropped, down to 1.92, and .825, respectively.

This would obviously be a risky signing, but Tommy John is no longer a death note for pitchers, as they seem to be coming back stronger and stronger every year. The Giants should be willing to take a flyer on Hochevar.