MLB Rumors: Giants Favorites for Shōta Imanaga Amid Red Sox, Cubs, Angels Buzz

It looks like the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't the only NL West team primed to add a key pitcher this offseason.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the San Francisco Giants are the current favorite to land Shōta Imanaga, ahead of teams like the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Angels.

"It's all pointing to the Giants," a source told Feinsand. "They missed out on [Shohei] Ohtani and [Yoshinobu] Yamamoto, and although Imanaga isn't on the same level as those guys, they don't want to miss out again."

Imanaga has until Thursday to make his decision as his posting deadline is 5 P.M. ET. on that day.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the most notable pitcher available this offseason, and he went to the aforementioned Dodgers. Imanaga is not quite as heralded but certainly has potential.

The 30-year-old has a 74-55 overall record with a 2.96 ERA in his career overseas and is coming off of a 7-5 season where he sported a 2.66 ERA and recorded 188 strikeouts. He doesn't have Yamamoto's youth but still could project as a higher-end starter and would bolster the Giants' rotation.

San Francisco needs a splash after missing on Yamamoto and Ohtani this year and slugger Aaron Judge last offseason. The Giants went 79-83 and missed the postseason in 2023. Not only that, but they have to compete with the Dodgers, who have committed more than $1 billion toward free agents this offseason, in the National League West.