The Giants are making a roster move after signing Justin Verlander

The The San Francisco Giants have officially announced the signing of veteran ace Justin Verlander to a one-year, $15 million deal on Saturday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol for assignment.

“Justin Verlander’s deal (one year, $15 million) is official. To clear a roster spot, the Giants DFA called up Blake Sabol. via Giants insider Aleks Pavlovic on X, formerly Twitter.

Sabol, 27, was a seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 before joining the Giants via the 2022 Rule 5 draft. His pick required the Giants to keep him on the major league roster through the 2023 season, where he played remarkably well given his limited experience. Sabol split time between catcher and left field, posting a respectable .235/.301/.394 line with seven home runs and 40 RBI in 344 plate appearances in 2023. His output was a 91 vRC+ — slightly below league average, but promising for a player adjusting to the big leagues.

However, in 2024, Sabol saw his options diminish. Since the Giants were able to deal him to Triple-A Sacramento, Sabol spent most of the year in the minors, where his plate production waned. He hit .246/.340/.388 with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs in 403 plate appearances at Triple-A, a performance that amounted to a whopping 85 vRC+. He made a brief 11-game stint in the majors, hitting .313/.421/.375 in 38 plate appearances while covering for Patrick Bailey, who was on the concussion list.

Giants welcome Justin Verlander to San Francisco, bid farewell to Blake Sabol

Despite his versatility and flashes of potential, Sabol’s struggles in Triple-A have seemingly made him expendable, especially since the Giants bolstered their catching depth by claiming Sam Huff off waivers from the Texas Rangers earlier this offseason. Hough, who is not in the minor leagues, could serve as backup to Bailey and lead with Tom Murphy. There is a possibility that Huff could even be a third option at catching.

The Giants now have a week to trade Sabol or place him on waivers. Given his potential and history of league-average offensive production as a catcher, Sabol could draw the interest of teams in need of a catch to take a chance on rediscovering his 2023 form. If he clears waivers, the Giants can keep him as a non-roster player, providing depth for the 2025 season.

As for Verlander, the Giants are hoping for a three-time Cy Young Award winner will help anchor their 2025 rotation. His addition signals the team’s commitment to strengthening its pitching staff, even as they make tough decisions like naming Sabol for assignment.