The San Francisco Giants must strengthen more than the most recognizable areas of their roster during the offseason.

Their priorities also include finding pitchers capable of covering unexpected innings, adding dependable infield depth and constructing a bench that gives manager Tony Vitello useful alternatives whenever injuries or poor performances force adjustments.

Left-hander A.J. Minter could help San Francisco address its need for reliable bullpen depth. The Giants should follow the left-hander’s market closely.

Minter posted a 2.56 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 45.2 innings over 48 appearances with the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins in 2026, recording one save and 11 holds.

He is an experienced reliever with an established record of consistency. In addition to pitching for the Mets and Twins, Minter previously spent time with the Atlanta Braves.

He won the World Series with Atlanta in 2021, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 12 innings over eight postseason appearances that year.

However, Minter struggled late in the 2026 season. He posted a 4.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 11 innings over his final 12 appearances with Minnesota, surrendering four home runs during that span.

Pitchers are often evaluated according to their most recent performance. Several difficult outings late in a season can quickly reshape the broader narrative, but they should not automatically erase everything accomplished beforehand.

San Francisco must determine whether Minter’s late struggles represented evidence of a more concerning problem or merely a difficult stretch within an otherwise successful career.

The Giants need to make that distinction before deciding whether he belongs in their bullpen.

His 4.91 FIP, compared with his 2.78 ERA in 22.2 innings over 25 appearances with the Twins, also deserves consideration, along with his difficulties against left-handed hitters.

That difference suggests his ERA may not provide a complete picture of his performance and raises legitimate questions about whether his run prevention can remain sustainable.

During his offseason with the Mets, Minter was recovering from a torn left lat and previous hip labrum microfracture surgery.

Minter would bring San Francisco more than his numbers from Minnesota. His time with Atlanta included appearances in high-pressure postseason situations, most notably during the Braves’ 2021 World Series run.

That experience would give Vitello a reliever familiar with entering games when one mistake can change the outcome. Minter understands how to prepare for important assignments without requiring the closer role.

He could work during the middle or late innings, providing another left-handed option when matchups demand one. His experience would also help a bullpen that may include younger pitchers still learning how to respond after difficult appearances.

The Giants should not overlook his injury history or late-season decline. A shorter commitment would allow them to pursue his upside without assuming unnecessary long-term risk.

Minter’s composure, postseason experience and history of dependable work make him worth considering, provided San Francisco believes his health and recent difficulties can be managed in 2027.