Ross Stripling Finds New Home Back In National League West

After a revelatory four-month stint as a regular starter in the Toronto Blue Jays' rotation in 2022, Ross Stripling took his wares to the free agent market. He's now landed back in the division in which he got his start in the big leagues. 

Right-hander Ross Stripling and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a two-year, $25 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

Stripling, 33, was excellent for Toronto in '22 with a 3.01 ERA and 3.11 FIP.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 13, 2022

Stripling joins the San Francisco Giants on a surprisingly minimal 2-year, $25M contract. He does have an opt-out after the first year. If he's able to put up another gem of a season like he did in '22, he could re-enter the free agent market and try for a longer-term deal somewhere. 

The 33-year-old swingman entered the Blue Jays rotation full-time after starter Hyun Jin Ryu went down for the season to injury in June. Stripling never looked back, compiling a 9-3 record as a starter. In fact, after he took over in the rotation, the Jays went 15-4 in his 19 starts through to the end of the season. Overall, he had a 2.92 ERA in his 24 starts on the year, and a 3.01 ERA including his bullpen outings. 

Should be interesting for Stripling, now on the other side of the vaunted Los Angeles Dodgers/San Francisco Giants rivalry. The first 4 ½ seasons of his career were spent in LA.

The Giants have also added Sean Manaea to the staff this month on a similar 2 yr/$25M deal, to round out their rotation. 

 John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports