The San Francisco Giants have agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract with right-hander Adrian Houser, according to a report. The deal includes a club option for 2028, though the team has not confirmed it. This signing adds a veteran arm to their rotation following a strong first half for Houser in 2025.
The San Francisco Giants are bolstering their starting rotation by reportedly signing free agent right-hander Adrian Houser to a two-year, $22 million deal, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan on Tuesday. The agreement includes a club option for 2028, but the Giants have yet to officially confirm the move. This comes shortly after the team announced the signing of former Detroit Tigers closer Jason Foley to a one-year deal to strengthen their bullpen.
Houser, who turns 33 on February 2, had a rollercoaster 2025 season. He began in the Texas Rangers' system but was released on May 15 after posting a 5.03 ERA over nine appearances, including eight starts, for Triple-A Round Rock. Days later, he signed a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox and made his season debut on May 20, tossing six scoreless innings against the Seattle Mariners. Over the next two-plus months with Chicago, Houser excelled with a 2.10 ERA across 68 2/3 innings, allowing just three home runs while holding opponents to a .661 OPS and a 4.9% barrel rate.
At the Trade Deadline, Houser was dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays, where his performance dipped to a 4.79 ERA over 56 1/3 innings. Batters hit seven home runs against him, posting a .767 OPS and 7.9% barrel rate. Across nine Major League seasons—seven with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he maintained a 4.00 ERA in 129 games (97 starts)—Houser was traded to the New York Mets before 2024. That year, he struggled as a starter, allowing 32 earned runs in 33 2/3 innings before shifting to the bullpen and being released on July 31. He later signed Minor League deals with the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles but did not reach the Majors.
Houser's arsenal features a five-pitch mix, anchored by a 94 mph sinker that generates 17.1 inches of arm-side horizontal break—1.9 inches more than average for similar pitches. He has a sub-20% strikeout rate in four of the past five seasons but excels at inducing ground balls, with a 48.9% rate last season in the 79th percentile.
In San Francisco, Houser joins a rotation featuring Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Landen Roupp. The Giants continue seeking additional starting pitchers this offseason, potentially through trades for players like Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta or re-signing Justin Verlander, while avoiding big free-agent splurges on names such as Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez.