This article takes a look at the San Francisco Giants’ signing of Rowan Wick, a veteran righty reliever coming off Tommy John surgery. What does his deal really tell us about the club’s long-term bullpen plans and their roster thinking for 2027?
Rowan Wick: reclamation project with long-term upside
Wick, 33, has built a reputation as a hard-throwing reliever who’s weathered the wild ride of pro baseball across three countries. The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the ninth round back in 2012, and he finally debuted in the majors with the San Diego Padres in 2018.
He then pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2019 to 2022. After a year in the minors in 2023, Wick went to Japan in 2024 to try to reset his value in Nippon Professional Baseball, and honestly, he impressed.
In 2024, Wick put up a 2.60 ERA and a 2.74 FIP. He followed that with a huge 2025 season: 40 games, 42.2 innings, and a tiny 0.84 ERA along with a 1.39 FIP.
His peripherals jumped out—5.3 hits per nine, 2.3 walks per nine, and a 0.844 WHIP. He didn’t allow a single home run that year, which really highlights how sharp his command was and how well he avoided barrels.
Wick’s long recovery and his zig-zag career path make those numbers even more intriguing. The Giants seem drawn to players like him—guys who’ve been around, bounced back, and might be ready to impact late innings by 2027.
Contract structure and roster implications
The Giants signed Wick to a Major League contract that locks in his rights for 2027. There’s a team option that San Francisco will probably pick up if his recovery keeps trending up.
It’s a classic upside play: a pitcher with real credentials when healthy, now getting a clean slate with the Giants. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Giants shifted injured reliever Jason Foley to the 60-day injured list.
With both Foley and Wick expected to start on the 60-day IL, the Giants’ roster will hover around 39 players while they wait on medical and legal clearances. That move keeps things flexible for a possible mid-season pickup, and they don’t risk losing Wick’s contract rights for 2027.
- Rowan Wick’s MLB journey runs through the Padres and Cubs, and now he’s landed in San Francisco.
- The contract locks in his rights for 2027 and includes a team option, which shows the Giants are betting on his health and a full comeback.
- Roster moves are tied to the 60-day IL, giving the team some breathing room now and options for later.
Impact on the Giants’ bullpen plans and 2027 outlook
From a strategic standpoint, the Giants want continuity and depth in a bullpen built for October. Signing Wick to a deal through 2027 puts San Francisco out front, grabbing a reliever who could anchor their late innings—if he bounces back after Tommy John surgery.
The move also taps into a bigger trend. Teams now value international rehab stories, and Wick’s strong 2024–2025 run in Japan gives his career a fresh, modern twist.
Looking past Wick himself, the roster construction shows how the Giants juggle current needs with future potential. The 60-day IL setup limits the active bullpen for now, but San Francisco’s clearly ready to gamble on a high-upside reliever who might fill a huge role in 2027.
Fans and analysts still wonder if Wick’s recovery will match the club’s 2027 window. The deal’s structure and those explicit rights for that year feel both cautious and ambitious—maybe even a little gutsy.
Here is the source article for this story: Giants bolster 2027 (yes, 2027) bullpen with Rowan Wick
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