Bolstering rotation will be key for Giants

By Chris Haft

October 3, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy stated the obvious Saturday in a brief chat about the club's primary offseason objective: "I think it's fair to say we'll be looking at starting pitching."

Obtaining a starter or two, whether through free agency or trade, appears to be essential for the Giants. Madison Bumgarner was the rotation's lone pitcher to survive the season from beginning to end.

Otherwise, uncertainty reigns. Tim Lincecum, Mike Leake and Ryan Vogelsong are free agents. Tim Hudson's retiring. Matt Cain's prolonged comeback from health issues leave his future looking murky. Rookie Chris Heston became more inconsistent as the season progressed.

A full season from Jake Peavy, who missed nearly three months with back inflammation, would help the rotation recover.

"That certainly would be a blessing," Bochy said.

Giants starters entered Saturday ranked seventh in the National League with a 3.98 ERA and fifth with a .252 opponents' batting average.

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Haft-Baked Ideas, fol low him on Twitter at @sfgiantsbeat and listen to his podcast.