Five

The Giants have four pieces of a five-man starting rotation: Jeff Samardzija, Johnny Cueto, Kevin Gausman, and Drew Smyly. Smardj made a nice comeback last season after a lost-to-injury 2018. He is a free agent next year. Johnny Cueto lost two seasons (2018 and 2019) to injury and has not been himself since a stellar 2016 campaign. He is coming off TJS and a lot of hopes are riding on his recovery. He is signed for this year and next. FNGs Gausman and Smyly were picked up in the off-season. Gausman signed a one-year deal for $9M. Lefty Smyly signed a one-year deal for $4M.

The fifth spot was supposedly Tyler Beede's to lose. Unfortunately the young flamethrower is now out with an injury. Reports say a sprained ulnar collateral ligament as well as a flexor strain. The UCL is the Tommy John Surgery spot so it is ominous news. It's very unfortunate as it seemed like Beede was finally putting his game together right at the end of last season.

That means Andrew Suarez, Logan Webb, Conner Menez, and Dereck Rodriguez have a shot at the rotation spot. All four have two options remaining. Enderson Franco, with three options, is also in the mix. Non-roster invitees Trevor Cahill and Tyson Ross will also get a look. Tyler Anderson is recovering from knee surgery and most likely won't be available until June. The southpaw was picked up off waivers from Colorado and signed a one-year $1.8M deal with the Giants in December.

With five starters that makes an eight-man bullpen. There is a lot more uncertainty there and I will give it a few days before I attempt a roster breakdown.

--M.C.