Could SF Giants re-sign free agents Verlander, Flores, Smith?

"SAN FRANCISCO Buster Posey has begun his search for a new manager after firing Bob Melvin on Monday, but Posey's conversations in the coming weeks and months will extend beyond managerial candidates. Justin Verlander, Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith are set to become free agents once the World Series concludes in roughly a month. It's possible that all three have played their final games with San Francisco, but could a reunion with any of them be in the cards?"

"It's discussions that we'll have throughout the offseason, Posey, the team's president of baseball operations said recently. I'm a big fan of all three of those guys. Of those three, the reunion that has the most plausibility is Verlander, who will turn 43 in February. For all the ups and downs, Verlander finished his first season in San Francisco with a 4-11 record, a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 152 innings."

"Despite an inconsistent first half (4.70 ERA), Verlander pitched his best when the Giants needed it most. Over his last 13 starts, Verlander posted a 2.60 ERA and 3.36 FIP with 70 strikeouts over 72 2/3 innings. The future Hall of Famer's second-half resurgence was due in large part to his willingness to adapt. Along with constantly tinkering his mechanics, Verlander significantly modified his pitch mix and threw more breaking balls (1,194) than heaters (1,192) for the first time in his career."

Buster Posey has started a search for a new manager and will also evaluate upcoming free agents Justin Verlander, Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith. Justin Verlander emerged as the likeliest reunion candidate after finishing 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 152 innings in his first Giants season. Verlander posted a 2.60 ERA and 3.36 FIP across his last 13 starts with 70 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings, showing a strong second-half resurgence. The resurgence followed mechanical tweaks and a notable pitch‑mix change, throwing more breaking balls than heaters for the first time in his career. Questions remain about Verlander's effectiveness entering age 43 and his pursuit of 300 career wins.

Read at www.mercurynews.com