As the offseason winds down, familiar faces are finding new homes, and Jakob Junis is the latest to make a move, signing a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.
Junis, a versatile reliever who often flies under the radar, spent 2022–2023 with the San Francisco Giants, establishing himself as a reliable swingman out of the bullpen. Over those two seasons, he appeared in 63 games, pitching 198 innings, and impressed with a devastating slider. Junis can fill multiple roles—starter in a pinch, long reliever after an opener, or even late-inning relief thanks to his strikeout ability.
Since leaving San Francisco, Junis has continued to pitch effectively. He posted a 2.69 ERA in 2024 split between the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds, and followed that with a 2.97 ERA last season with the Cleveland Guardians.
While not a headline-grabbing name, Junis is the type of pitcher that proves invaluable over a 162-game season, providing flexibility and innings that help preserve the rest of the bullpen. Giants fans may remember similar roles filled by pitchers like Yusmeiro Petit.
Looking ahead, it’s unclear if the Giants will have a similar multi-inning option in 2026. They could turn to arms like Spencer Bivens, or younger pitchers such as Kai-Wei Teng or Carson Seymour, but none have yet cemented themselves as a true bullpen workhorse. Junis’ $4 million salary may have been a factor in San Francisco passing on a reunion as they aim to construct a cost-efficient bullpen.
Texas, on the other hand, gains a flexible, dependable arm who could easily deliver another solid season and prove to be an essential piece of their pitching staff.
