There are seasons that test the resolve of even the most storied franchises, and the San Francisco Giants' 2025 campaign has become a masterclass in both endurance and the pursuit of baseball history. On the evening of August 26, fans at Oracle Park witnessed a moment that will be etched into the annals of Major League Baseball, even as the team itself continues to search for answers and a spark to reignite its competitive fire.
Justin Verlander, the Giants' 42-year-old right-hander and future Hall of Famer, delivered a vintage performance against the Chicago Cubs that went far beyond the box score. While his season record sits at a meager 2-10, Verlander notched his 264th career win—a remarkable feat in itself. But it was his first-inning strikeout of Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker that truly stole the show. That punchout marked the 3,516th of Verlander's illustrious career, pushing him past the legendary Walter Johnson for ninth place on the all-time MLB strikeouts list. Johnson, known as the "Big Train," was a two-time MVP who racked up 417 wins and holds the unassailable record of 110 career shutouts from his days with the Washington Senators between 1907 and 1927.
For Verlander, the weight of the achievement was almost too much to process in the moment. "Maybe when I rest my head on my pillow (Tuesday), or maybe in the offseason. I don't know," Verlander admitted, as quoted by Andrés Soto of MLB.com. "Last few years, especially coming back from Tommy John, it's been an emphasis of mine to pay attention a little bit more to things." The journey back from Tommy John surgery and a recent month-long absence due to right pectoral soreness have only made these milestones sweeter, even as the Giants' bullpen woes continue to chip away at his personal win total and the club's playoff hopes.
By the end of the night, Verlander had pushed his career strikeout total to 3,520. Now, with just 15 more strikeouts, he stands on the cusp of surpassing another Giants legend, Gaylord Perry, for eighth place all-time. It's a testament to Verlander's grit and longevity—qualities that have kept him relevant in a season where little else has gone according to plan for San Francisco. "You can get so stuck in the mindset of just grinding," Verlander said, reflecting on the tough stretch. "And this year has been really tough for that. It's been really hard for me not to crawl into my little shell. My family helps a lot off the field. And here, we got a great group of guys. They've helped a lot. So, just relish in the positives."
Yet, even as Verlander basks—if only briefly—in his historic achievement, the Giants' front office is staring down a mountain of roster questions. The optimism that accompanied the blockbuster trade for Rafael Devers, orchestrated by president of baseball operations Buster Posey, has long since faded. Posey, himself a Giants legend behind the plate, was looking to inject much-needed offensive firepower into a lineup that had grown stagnant. But the gamble hasn't paid off—since acquiring Devers from the Boston Red Sox, the Giants have posted the worst record in baseball. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have surged, boasting the third-best record in the league since the trade.
Devers, despite his reputation as a slugger, hasn't been able to singlehandedly turn the Giants' fortunes around. And he isn't alone in his struggles. The lineup, which also features Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, and Heliot Ramos, has failed to consistently produce, while the pitching staff—outside of Verlander's heroics—has been plagued by inconsistency. The rest of the 2025 season, then, has taken on an air of evaluation, as the organization seeks to identify which players will form the core of the next contending Giants team.
One player under particularly intense scrutiny is catcher Patrick Bailey. Defensively, Bailey is as elite as they come. His +19 Fielding Run Value ranks in the 100th percentile, and by every catching metric tracked on Baseball Savant, he's an above-average backstop. But the defensive wizardry can't mask his offensive shortcomings. Bailey's -19 Batting Run Value places him in the first percentile, and his -2 Baserunning Run Value is only marginally better, sitting in the 19th percentile. With a career OPS of .615 and an OPS+ of 76, Bailey's bat has become a glaring weakness in a lineup desperate for production.
The Giants' patience may soon be running out. If Bailey can't turn things around at the plate, the team could be forced to look elsewhere for answers behind the dish. Enter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles' All-Star catcher and a name that's quickly become the subject of trade rumors. According to Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report, San Francisco is the top landing spot should Rutschman hit the trade block this winter. The numbers tell the story: even at his worst this season, Rutschman boasts an OPS of .684 and an OPS+ of 91, while his career marks sit at .758 and 116, respectively. He's also an above-average defender, making him a tantalizing upgrade over Bailey.
Posey, with his intimate understanding of the catcher's role, is unlikely to overlook the impact a player like Rutschman could have on the Giants' fortunes. Adding Rutschman to a lineup already featuring Devers, Chapman, Adames, and Ramos could provide the offensive jolt the team so desperately needs. And for Rutschman, a change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered. The move would also send a clear message to the fanbase: the Giants are committed to building a contender, no matter how bold the moves required.
As the season winds down, the Giants find themselves at a crossroads. Verlander's pursuit of history offers a welcome distraction and a reminder of the greatness that can still shine through adversity. But the reality is that San Francisco's front office faces tough decisions in the coming months. The Devers trade, once hailed as a masterstroke, has yet to bear fruit. Bailey's defensive brilliance is being overshadowed by his offensive struggles. And the possibility of landing an All-Star like Rutschman looms large as the team looks to reshape its identity.
For now, Giants fans can savor Verlander's achievements and hope that the winds of change bring brighter days. The rest of 2025 will be about evaluation, perseverance, and, perhaps, the first steps toward a new era of Giants baseball. With history still being written on the mound and intrigue swirling off the field, there's no shortage of storylines to follow in San Francisco.
