Stripling opts into Giants contract for 2024 season

Report: Stripling opts into Giants contract for 2024 season

originally appeared on
NBC Sports Bay Area

Ross Stripling has decided to exercise his player option and will continue playing for the San Francisco Giants in the 2024 MLB season.

The talented right-handed pitcher, who signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Giants in the previous offseason, has chosen not to explore free agency this winter, according to a report by KNBR’s Danny Emerman on Friday night.

Stripling’s player option guarantees him $12.5 million for the 2024 season.

The Giants initially acquired Stripling to add veteran depth to their strong starting rotation. However, struggles and injuries led him to primarily serve as a bullpen arm throughout the season.

Last season, the 33-year-old made 11 starts and recorded a disappointing 5.36 ERA in 89 innings pitched. He had 70 strikeouts and 16 walks in 22 combined appearances as a starter and reliever.

Stripling had difficulties keeping the ball in the park, giving up 20 home runs and tying with starter Logan Webb for the team lead despite pitching fewer innings (216).

Stripling’s decision to opt in doesn’t come as a surprise. At the end of the disappointing season, he openly acknowledged to reporters that his underperformance would likely prevent him from securing a larger contract in free agency. This was an early indication of his intention to exercise the player option.

Giants’ President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, has repeatedly expressed the team’s desire to acquire top-of-the-rotation starting pitchers during the upcoming offseason, rather than relying on depth options like Stripling and Sean Manaea from the previous offseason.

It remains to be seen what role Stripling will have with the Giants next season. However, if he can bounce back and regain his form, he could provide the team with an intriguing arm for bulk-innings or spot-start situations.

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