The Giants' starting rotation currently consists of two veterans in Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, with a handful of young question marks behind them. It looks like the front office is eyeing another veteran presence.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Wednesday that the Giants pursued veteran free-agent pitcher Cole Hamels before the left-hander agreed to a one-year, $18 million contract with the Braves.
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SIGN UP HERE Signing a veteran to a hefty contract could come as a surprise with the Giants' desire to get younger. But it really shouldn't, considering what the Giants did last season with the lefty Drew Pomeranz.
If the Giants find themselves well behind in the standings at the July 31 MLB trade deadline this season, they would love to add future talent once again. San Francisco acquired a barrage of prospects at the deadline last season, including Mauricio Dubon -- who looks like the everyday second baseman -- from the Brewers in the Pomeranz trade.
Hamels also would have given the Giants a needed left-hander in the rotation. Perhaps lefty Tyler Anderson, whom the Giants agreed to terms with Tuesday after non-tendering him, could fill that void.
Atlanta adding Hamels reportedly also doesn't take them out of the market for another lefty -- longtime Giants ace Madison Bumgarner. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Wednesday that the Braves are not out of the race to sign MadBum.
[RELATED: Would Giants wait all the way until January to sign Cole?]
While the Giants might not re-sign Bumgarner or add a big name like Gerrit Cole this offseason, it will be interesting to see which veteran free-agent pitchers they pursue in the coming weeks.