Giants sign pitcher Hicks to long term contract

*Photo from Blue Jays Nation*

   Here's a bit of an outside the box move. The San Francisco Giants and RHP Jordan Hicks have agreed to a 4 year, $44 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal has been made official by the Giants.

   With the Giants, Hicks will be stretched out as a starting pitcher after spending all but 8 starts in the majors as a reliever. The Giants had been looking for starting pitching options as Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb are set to miss the start of the season due to injury. Hicks is one option and can be transferred to the bullpen when necessary. There is $2 million available in bonuses in his contract based on innings pitched.

   Hicks spent last season with both the St. Louis Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays after a trade just before the August deadline. He combined to post a 3.22 FIP, 3.29 ERA, and 1.355 WHIP with 12 saves over 65 2/3 innings in 65 appearances. He pitched one scoreless inning in the playoffs.

   The velocity Hicks possesses is some of the best in the game, as he holds two of the fastest pitches thrown since 2008, both over 105 mph. In 2023, he reached 50 innings for the 3rd season, setting career bests in ERA, FIP, expected ERA, strikeout rate, and whiff rate in those 3 seasons.

   Since debuting in 2018, Hicks has played 5 big league seasons with the Cardinals and Blue Jays. He has a 3.85 ERA, 1.299 WHIP, and 3.66 FIP to his name, averaging 9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings while picking up 32 saves in 243 1/3 innings and 212 games, 8 of which have been starts. He has 2 2/3 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts under his belt in the playoffs.

   Hicks introduced a sweeper to his pitch arsenal last season to help keep hitters off balance. His sweeper had a whiff rate of 59.5 percent and he pairs that with a sinker that can reach 100 mph to have breaking pitches that move in opposite directions to generate lots of strikeouts from opposing hitters.

   As of now, the Giants rotation has Logan Webb and Ross Stripling guaranteed spots, with Hicks joining Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn in the mix for spots with Cobb and recent acquisition Ray set to start the season on the IL.