The San Francisco Giants need to improve more than the top of their roster. Their most important offseason needs also include pitchers capable of covering unexpected innings, dependable infield coverage and a bench that provides useful alternatives.

Cal Quantrill is an unrestricted free agent who fits San Francisco’s need for reliable pitching depth.

Quantrill can help a team both in the starting rotation and out of the bullpen. He recorded a 2.86 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 110 innings over 32 appearances (15 starts) for the Texas Rangers in 2026.

His experience in both roles would give the Giants valuable flexibility whenever injuries, workload restrictions or poor performances force changes to the rotation.

San Francisco should pursue Quantrill on a one-year contract that allows him to prove himself. Any agreement should remain contingent on his recovery from the right lat strain that ended his season.

Also, he posted a 3.85 xERA and 4.01 FIP, so there’s always a chance he could regress.

Quantrill’s difficult 2025 campaign also supports making only a short commitment. He posted a 6.04 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 117.2 innings over 26 starts with the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves.

Those results, combined with his limited recent workload as a starter, would make a longer contract unnecessarily risky for the Giants.

Quantrill would complement the established rotation addition San Francisco still needs rather than serving as its only pitching acquisition.

He could compete for a position at the back of the rotation during Spring Training and provide multiple innings whenever another starter leaves a game early.

Quantrill’s ability to transition between starting and relieving would help manager Tony Vitello respond to the unpredictable demands of a full season. The Giants would not need to determine one permanent role for him before Opening Day.

If a younger pitcher earns a rotation position, Quantrill could move to the bullpen without losing his usefulness. If injuries create an opening, he could return to the rotation and prevent San Francisco from immediately promoting a prospect who may not be ready.

That adaptability would be particularly important for a team attempting to rebuild its pitching staff without placing excessive responsibility on inexperienced arms.

Quantrill also understands how to manage different assignments. Starting requires pacing, preparation and the ability to face a lineup multiple times. Long relief demands readiness without knowing exactly when an opportunity will arrive.

His rebound with Texas demonstrated that his difficult 2025 season did not eliminate his ability to contribute. However, the lat injury means San Francisco must confirm that he can handle a normal throwing program before making an offer.

A one-year agreement would limit the Giants’ risk while giving Quantrill an opportunity to rebuild his value. He would not solve the rotation by himself, but he could prevent one injury from creating a larger problem.

San Francisco still needs an established starter capable of pitching near the front of the rotation. Adding Quantrill alongside that pitcher would provide the depth, coverage and role flexibility the Giants lacked in 2026.