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Giants Sign Jason Foley to One-Year Deal
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- Giants Sign Jason Foley to One-Year Deal
Giants Sign Jason Foley to One-Year Deal
(Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn)
The San Francisco Giants continued to add experienced bullpen depth on Tuesday, announcing the signing of right-handed reliever Jason Foley to a one-year major league contract.
Foley, 30, spent the much of the 2025 season on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery that prevented him from pitching in the majors. The injury ultimately led to his non-tender by the Tigers last month, despite the fact that he had played a prominent role in Detroit 's bullpen just one year earlier.
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While the contract covers only one season, the Giants will have the opportunity to retain Foley beyond 2026 through the arbitration process, potentially giving them up to three years of club control if he returns to form.
The right-hander's recent health history adds some uncertainty to the signing. Foley's shoulder surgery is expected to keep him out for at least the first half of the 2026 season, meaning San Francisco is making a calculated bet on his recovery and long-term effectiveness rather than immediate production.
Prior to the injury, Foley was one of the Tigers' most dependable relievers. He emerged as Detroit's primary closer in 2024, handling high-leverage situations and consistently keeping the ball on the ground.
Over the course of his major league career, Foley owns a 3.16 ERA across nearly 200 innings, supported by an elite groundball rate hovering around 54 percent. That ability to generate weak contact has been a defining trait of his success and could play particularly well in Oracle Park, where keeping the ball in the yard is often a priority.
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Foley's path to the majors was not a conventional one. Undrafted out of Sacred Heart University, he climbed the minor league ladder through persistence and sinker-heavy command rather than overpowering velocity.
That skill set allowed him to carve out a meaningful role in Detroit's bullpen, culminating in his stint as closer before injuries derailed his momentum.
From the Giants' perspective, the signing carries relatively low risk. A one-year commitment limits financial exposure, while the potential upside a proven late-inning reliever under multiple years of control makes the gamble worthwhile.
If Foley's rehab progresses as hoped, he could factor into the bullpen picture later in the season or serve as a key piece heading into 2027.
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The move also reflects a broader trend in San Francisco's roster construction. Rather than committing long-term money to relievers, the Giants have often targeted bounce-back candidates or pitchers returning from injury, betting on their player development infrastructure to get the most value out of similar signings. Foley fits squarely into that mold.
While expectations should be tempered given the timeline of his recovery, Foley's track record suggests he could become more than just depth if healthy.
For a Giants bullpen looking to balance reliability with upside, this signing represents a patient investment one that may not pay dividends immediately, but could prove valuable over the next few seasons.
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