The Giants Add Talent To The 2023 Bullpen

The San Francisco Giants may have struck out in their pursuit of a true star, but they sure have made moves to improve their team.

They signed outfielders Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto, starters Sean Manaea and Ross Stripling, and relievers Taylor Rogers and Luke Jackson.

Yes, Jackson is the newest member of the Giants, per team insider Maria Guardado.

“The Giants signed right-hander Luke Jackson to a two-year, $11.5 million deal that includes a club option for the 2025 season,” she tweeted.

The Giants signed right-hander Luke Jackson to a two-year, $11.5 million deal that includes a club option for the 2025 season.

— Maria I. Guardado (@mi_guardado) January 9, 2023

Then, she provided some details of the deal.

“Jackson will earn $3 million in 2023 and $6.5 million in 2024. If the club option for 2025 is exercised, Jackson will earn $7 million. If the 2025 club option is not exercised, Jackson would be entitled to a $2 million buyout,” she wrote.

Jackson missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery during his time with the Atlanta Braves.

The surgery was performed last April.

On October 12, Jackson was cleared to begin a throwing program.

If all goes well, he should be able to return to the Giants’ active roster in the first third of the 2023 campaign.

Yes, he has missed a whole year, but it’s important to remember how dominant Jackson was before going down.

In 2021, he finished with a 1.98 ERA in 63.2 innings.

He accumulated 70 strikeouts and a solid 1.16 WHIP.

It was his first truly dominant season: before then, he was closer to average than to elite.

The Giants have good coaches and player development staffers, so they certainly have the resources to help Jackson remain a very serviceable middle reliever.