The San Francisco Giants made a bold move on Friday by acquiring 2021 Cy Young winner Robbie Ray from the Seattle Mariners. This trade involved outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, which could indicate that the Giants are preparing for more significant roster changes.
Ray, who is 32 years old, comes with a hefty price tag of $73 million for the remaining three seasons of his contract. Additionally, he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to make his return after the All-Star break. However, there are uncertainties surrounding Ray’s future since his contract includes an opt-out clause after the 2024 season when he is set to be paid $23 million.
Mariners Gain Outfield Depth
In exchange for Ray, the Mariners acquired outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. Haniger, 33, previously spent five seasons with the Mariners before joining the Giants with a three-year, $43.5 million contract last winter. He is due to earn $17 million this season with an opt-out clause afterward, and $15.5 million in 2025. DeSclafani, on the other hand, is in the final year of a three-year, $36 million deal and will be owed $12 million in 2024.
To balance out the salaries for the 2024 season, the Giants will send $3 million to the Mariners. This trade provides Seattle with the opportunity to utilize Haniger as either a corner-outfield or designated hitter, adding more depth to their roster.
Additional Trades Made
Aside from the Giants-Mariners trade, the Mariners also completed a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. They acquired outfielder Luke Raley in exchange for infielder José Caballero. Raley’s arrival adds more depth to the Mariners’ outfield, while Caballero is a potential candidate to start at shortstop for the Rays.
After narrowly missing the playoffs last season with an 88-74 record, the Mariners have been reshaping their roster. They have traded third baseman Eugenio Suarez and left fielder Jarred Kelenic, and also lost outfielder Teoscar Hernandez in free agency. Seattle made moves to address their lineup’s needs by signing catcher/DH Mitch Garver to a two-year, $24 million contract. This signing aims to provide additional power alongside their promising players such as Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and J.P. Crawford.
While the Giants were unsuccessful in acquiring free agents Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the trade of Haniger opens up an outfield or designated hitter spot for them. During the offseason, the Giants made a significant signing by securing a six-year, $113 million deal with center fielder Jung Hoo Lee. Additionally, they still have Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski, Luis Matos, Austin Slater, and Blake Sabol on their roster. Sabol, who also doubles as a catcher, adds versatility to the team’s options.
Ray’s Acquisition and Previous Success
Robbie Ray had signed a lucrative five-year, $115 million deal with the Seattle Mariners in 2022 after his remarkable Cy Young-winning season with the Toronto Blue Jays. In his first year with the Mariners, Ray showcased his talent with a 3.71 ERA over 189 innings, recording 212 strikeouts and 62 walks. Unfortunately, he made only one start last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery on his left arm.
Upon his return, Ray will join the Giants’ pitching rotation, which already boasts an ace in Logan Webb. His fellow starters include right-handers Alex Cobb, Ross Stripling, and either young talents Kyle Harrison or Keaton Winn. This rotation has the potential to bring success to the Giants and solidify their pitching staff.
Mitch Haniger had a productive run with the Mariners, maintaining a .263/.337/.480 batting line during his time with the team. He originally came to Seattle in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016. However, his debut season with the Giants showcased a lower performance level, hitting just .209/.266/.365 with 6 home runs and 28 RBIs in 61 games.
Anthony DeSclafani re-signed with the Giants after a standout 2021 season. However, he has faced challenges with injuries over the past two years, resulting in a 5.16 ERA over 118 ⅔ innings. DeSclafani’s addition to Seattle’s pitching rotation provides them with depth, joining standout right-handers Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, and Bryce Miller.
The San Francisco Giants made a significant move by acquiring Cy Young winner Robbie Ray. This trade brings power and talent to their pitching rotation as they aim to compete in the upcoming season. Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners have worked to restructure their roster by adding outfield depth and addressing their lineup needs. Only time will tell how these changes impact both teams as they strive for success in the future.
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