San Francisco Giants: Offseason Rumors and Available Free Agents

Yoan Lopez

Oct 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; NLCS logo on the video board during St. Louis Cardinals batting practice before game five of the 2014 NLCS playoff at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

According to MLB.com’s Jessie Sanchez, Yoan Lopez, a 21-year-old Cuban right handed pitcher, has been linked to the Giants recently (along with the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees).

Lopez throws in the mid-90s but has been clocked at 100 MPH on occasion. He can also throw a changeup, curve, and slider. Last season, Lopez finished with a 3.12 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 49 innings in his final season before defecting from Cuba.

Since Lopez has only played three seasons in Cuba, he would likely have to play at least a full season in the minors to analyze if he is Major League-ready. Therefore, the Giants would still likely need to sign another starting pitcher to fill their needs as of now. Lopez also is awaiting approval from the United States government before he can sign any sort of contract with a MLB team.