Throughout the offseason, we'll be taking a look at the top news and rumors from the Hot Stove League.
RUMOR: The Giants will target Mike Leake and Jeff Samardzija if they are unable to sign Zack Greinke away from the rival Dodgers.
MORE: Eight potential bargains among non-tenders | Dodgers reportedly willing to play Greinke $210M over six years
REPORTED BY: Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports
THE DETAILS: San Francisco is in desperate need of starting pitching depth and is seemingly all in on Greinke. But the Giants have identified Leake and Samardzija as backup plans. John Lackey and a possible trade are also in the cards.
MORE: Sorting through the best, worst rumors
LAST SEASON: Leake was traded to the Giants by the Reds before the July 31 trade deadline. He finished the season 11-10 with a 3.70 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He would provide stability in the middle of San Francisco's rotation. Samardzija was miserable last season, posting a 4.96 ERA with an 11-13 record. Despite the poor season, it has been reported that Samardzija, 30, has already been offered $100 million.
OUR TAKE: If the Giants do miss on Greinke, they can sign Leake and Lackey to form a solid 1-2-3 punch with ace Madison Bumgarner. Johnny Cueto, arguably the best option behind Greinke, would also be a fit. Cueto had mixed results with the World Series champion Royals after being traded by the Reds before the deadline, but he can still be a front-of-the-rotation pitcher for at least a few more seasons.
Greinke would be a coup, but adding two or three solid pitchers might be more beneficial.