Giants Could Find Bullpen Help in Steven Okert Reunion
On November 3, 2026, a potential return to San Francisco for left-handed reliever Steven Okert emerged as a fit for the Giants, whose bullpen struggled during a 65-97 season.
The San Francisco Giants finished fourth in the National League West in 2026, with their relief corps among the team’s weaknesses. Giants relievers posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, while their 7.55 strikeouts per nine innings ranked last in the majors. Their 4.20 walks per nine also placed them near the bottom of the league.
The bullpen was more effective at preventing home runs, allowing 0.95 per nine innings, the seventh-best rate in the majors. Oracle Park’s pitcher-friendly conditions may have helped, making the ballpark a potentially favorable setting for Okert, who had a ground-ball rate of just 28% in 2026.
Okert, 34, began his major-league career with San Francisco and spent 2016 through 2018 with the club. In 2026, pitching for Houston, he recorded a 2.13 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 67⅔ innings in 68 appearances. Batters hit .190 against him, and he struck out 26.1% while walking 5.4%.
His 91.2 mph average fastball velocity was low, but his results included a 30.9% whiff rate and a 3.13 expected ERA. A one-year contract with an average annual value of $6.6 million has been projected for Okert, potentially making him a comparatively affordable option. San Francisco is expected to add relievers this offseason; whether Okert is among them remains to be seen.