The San Francisco Giants acquired pitcher Jordan Hicks via a four-year, $44 million deal. He played for two teams last MLB season, starting with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in July for Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse.
Hicks finished the season with a 3.29 earned run average and 81 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched. He has a 3.85 ERA and a 106 ERA+ in five MLB years. Hicks made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2018. He opted out of playing two years later due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last season, he was known as one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the majors, with his four-seam fastball averaging 100.3 miles per hour. Meanwhile, his sinker averaged 100.1 mph, per Statcast.
As ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweeted, the Giants intend to use him as a starting pitcher. He’s only had eight appearances as a starting pitcher, and only three lasted at least four innings. If that’s the plan, he will likely be the fifth starter after Logan Webb, Ross Stripling, Kyle Harrison, and Keaton Winn.
BREAKING: Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Hicks, 27, is expected to work as a starter after spending the majority of his career in the bullpen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2024
There’s also a chance he will continue as a relief pitcher since the Giants rely on Camilo Doval as the closer.
-Lance Fernandez