The San Francisco Giants had a 2026 season to forget when a campaign that was filled with hope and expectation quickly went off the rails and never recovered. 

The Giants' 65-97 record was their worst in nearly a decade, and it marked the fifth consecutive season in which they have failed to make the playoffs or post a winning record since a dominant 107-win season in 2021.

San Francisco has a lot to clean up if it wants to get back to contending, especially in the competitive National League West Division. One of San Francisco's biggest issues is pitching, and president of baseball operations Buster Posey has to find a way to improve the results on the mound. 

To do so, should the front office target an arm from one of its division rivals?

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta just might be the man to make his way to the Bay Area to aid the starting rotation. 

Pivetta, 33, has spent the last two seasons with the Padres. 

In 2025, he was very good through 31 starts, posting a 13-5 record with a 2.87 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP over 181.2 innings of work. Pivetta had been mostly durable throughout his career until 2026, when a right elbow flexor strain sidelined him for most of the season. 

Still, Pivetta made the most of his limited appearances and went 3-2 with a 2.86 ERA over 8 starts in 34.2 innings pitched.

According to recent contract projections by ESPN MLB Insider Kiley McDaniel, Pivetta could be in line for a three-year, $45 million contract. 

Pivetta has demonstrated over his last 39 starts that he can be a very effective pitcher. Even though he will be 34 by the time Opening Day rolls around in 2027, an Average Annual Value of $15 million is not bad, especially for a team like San Francisco that needs the type of production Pivetta is capable of providing.

Last season, the Giants were below average in several pitching categories. They ended the season ranked 23rd among 30 teams in ERA (4.33), 24th in WHIP (1.36), 27th in strikeouts (1,260) and 18th in opponent batting average (.248). 

The starting rotation also allowed the sixth-most walks in baseball (318). Pivetta might not be a bona fide ace, but San Francisco needs to start somewhere when it comes to upgrading the rotation, and he could be a good starting point.