Giants Reclaim Doval Off Waivers in Low-Risk 2027 Bet

Key points

• Doval was claimed by the Giants after the Pirates designated him for assignment to save roughly $98,000 in salary.
• The Giants moved Blade Tidwell to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for Doval.
• Doval has struggled with control since being traded, posting a 4.30 ERA across 64 appearances in 2026.
• The Giants are currently 65-94, making the move a speculative bet for the 2027 season rather than a 2026 playoff push.
• Doval is entering his final year of arbitration, with a projected 2027 salary in the $7-8 million range.

Background

Doval was traded by the Giants to the New York Yankees on July 31, 2025, for four prospects. He struggled in New York before being traded to the Pirates on August 1, 2026, for minor league catcher Omar Alfonzo and outfielder Luis Cruz. The Giants had previously relied on Doval as their closer from 2021 to 2023, where he posted a 2.77 ERA and 107 saves over four seasons. The current move follows a season of significant roster churn for San Francisco, with the team currently sporting a 65-94 record.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports Bay Area & California highlights the 'amazing' nature of the reunion, noting that the Giants gave up nothing to reacquire a former All-Star closer. MLB Trade Rumors emphasizes the financial and strategic aspects, noting that the Giants are likely planning to tender Doval a contract for 2027 or trade him in the offseason, given his $6.1 million 2026 salary and arbitration eligibility. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette focused on the Pirates' decision to DFA Doval to maximize innings for younger pitchers, noting that manager Don Kelly called it a 'tough decision' but that Doval was likely to be non-tendered regardless of his final week's performance. The outlets agree on the basic facts of the transaction but differ in their emphasis: NBC focuses on the narrative of the reunion, MLB Trade Rumors on the financial risk/reward, and the Post-Gazette on the Pirates' roster management.

Why it matters

The move signals that the Giants are actively planning for 2027 despite their current losing record. By claiming Doval off waivers, the Giants acquire a pitcher with elite stuff and past success in San Francisco for a negligible cost, giving them options to either develop him or trade him in the offseason. The move also highlights the Giants' ongoing struggles with bullpen control, as their relievers have a collective 4.18 ERA this season. For Doval, the move offers a chance to regain his form in a familiar environment, potentially leading to a significant raise in 2027 if he can fix his control issues.

What to watch

The Giants will likely evaluate Doval's performance in the final three games of the 2026 season before deciding whether to tender him a contract for 2027 or trade him in the offseason. Doval's 2027 salary will be determined through arbitration, with projections ranging from $7-8 million. The Pirates will continue to rely on Kirby Yates and other younger pitchers in their bullpen. The Giants' broader bullpen upgrades for 2027 may involve free agent signings or additional trades, as president of baseball operations Buster Posey has admitted that the club will be looking to make more concrete upgrades to the bullpen for next year.