Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Giants Rumors

Hunter Pence Announces Retirement

By | at

Longtime big league outfielder Hunter Pence announced he’s retiring from baseball (Twitter link). This brings to an end a fourteen-year career spent with four teams, although he’ll surely be remembered most for his time with the Giants.

Pence originally broke into pro ball in 2004, selected by the Astros in the second round out of the University of Texas-Arlington. Notably “awkward and unorthodox” as a prospect, in the words of Baseball America, Pence nevertheless played himself into top prospect status by 2007. He broke into the big leagues with a bang, hitting .322/.360/.539 en route to a third place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting that season. Pence continually produced over his time in Houston, earning his first two All-Star nods there, before the struggling Astros shipped him off to the Phillies at the 2011 trade deadline for four prospects.

He continued to perform well in Philadelphia, hitting .289/.357/.486 over parts of two seasons, but the Phillies lost in the Division Series in 2011 and were en route to a playoff miss in 2012. Pence again headlined a deadline deal, this one sending him to San Francisco. His midseason acquirer fared much better the second time around, as the Giants erased a pair of big playoff deficits against the Reds and Cardinals before sweeping the Tigers in the 2012 World Series.

Set to reach free agency after the 2013 season, Pence instead re-upped with the Giants that September. Already a highly productive and popular player, that extension set the stage for Pence to become permanently identified with the San Francisco organization. He combined for a .280/.335/.464 line between 2013-14, garnering down ballot MVP support each year. He was perhaps even more instrumental in the Giants’ 2014 World Series run than he’d been in 2012, going 12-27 with a home run in San Francisco’s seven-game triumph over the Royals.

Of course, it wasn’t simply Pence’s productivity that made him so revered, both among diehard Giants’ loyalists and many baseball fans generally. He played with an endearing energy and exuberance. Coupled with his oft-awkward hitting mechanics and general lack of gracefulness on the diamond, Pence brought something of an everyman feel to the sport that resonated with outside observers, teammates and coaches.

Unfortunately, that high-energy style of play caught up to him in his 30’s. After 2014, Pence only once again managed to exceed 110 games in a season. He continued to produce when healthy up through 2016, but he seemingly hit a wall thereafter. Pence struggled through a pair of poor years with the 2017-18 Giants, seemingly ending his time with the organization (and putting his career in jeopardy).

Forced to settle for a minor-league deal with his hometown Rangers entering 2019, Pence remade his swing at age 36. He rebounded to post a .297/.358/.552 line over 316 plate appearances in Texas last year, picking up his fourth and final All-Star trip in the process. That also inspired the Giants to offer a major league deal last winter, setting the stage for a tremendous return story.

Unfortunately, that was not to be. Pence got off to an abysmal start and was released after just 56 plate appearances. That’ll mark his last work in the big leagues, although it’s fitting that his final games came in the orange and black.

All told, Pence will hang up the spikes with a .279/.334/.461 line over 7006 plate appearances, good for a 115 wRC+. He hit 244 home runs, 324 doubles and 55 triples, while stealing 120 bases. Pence was worth around 31 wins above replacement, in the estimation of both FanGraphs and Baseball Reference. He’s obviously most notable for being an integral part of two World Series winners in San Francisco and for the infectious joy he spread to teammates and fans alike. MLBTR congratulates Pence on a stellar career and wishes him the best in retirement.

Giants Place Jeff Samardzija On Release Waivers

By | at

The Giants have designated Jeff Samardzija for assignment and placed him on release waivers, per Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). This officially ends the righty’s 2020 season, as we’ve long since passed the September 15 deadline for players to be eligible for an acquiring team’s postseason roster.

Of course, if Shark has his way, this won’t mark an end to his MLB tenure. The 35-year-old (36 in January) made clear last night he fully intends on continuing his career. He’ll hit the open market on the heels of disastrous 2020 season, though. Samardzija missed a month with a shoulder impingement and was limited to four starts overall. Those didn’t go well, as he was tagged for 19 runs on 21 hits (including seven homers) with only six strikeouts in 16.2 innings. The 29-29 Giants are up one game on the Brewers and Phillies for the National League’s final postseason spot. They’d evidently concluded that, even if they sew up a berth, Samardzija’s lackluster performance foreclosed him as an option for their playoff roster.

The move brings to an end Samardzija’s five-year tenure in San Francisco. The Giants inked him to a five-year, $90MM contract entering the 2016 season. At the time, the former Cubs, Athletics and White Sox hurler was coming off three consecutive 200-inning seasons. Then-executive vice president Brian Sabean and then-GM Bobby Evans surely envisioned Samardzija soaking up innings in the middle of the club’s rotation.

Over the first two seasons of the deal, that’s what he did. Samardzija combined for 411 innings of 4.12 ERA/3.73 FIP ball between 2016-17. He scuffled in 2018 before rebounding with a decent effort last year, running up 181.1 innings of 3.52 ERA ball (albeit with uninspiring peripherals). Unfortunately, the wheels fell off in the final season of the deal.

All told, Samardzija threw 653.2 innings over 110 starts as a Giant. He logged a 4.24 ERA/4.22 FIP with strikeout (20.3%) and walk (6.1%) rates a bit lower than league average. Samardzija was worth around seven wins above replacement over the course of the deal, in the estimate of both FanGraphs and Baseball Reference. That’s a bit of an underwhelming return on investment for the organization, but the deal was far from disastrous. Samardzija’s production in San Francisco was worth around $54.6MM in the estimate of FanGraphs’ dollars per WAR metric, to say nothing of any intangible value the well-traveled veteran brought in the clubhouse.

Jeff Samardzija Plans To Play In 2021

By | at

Jeff Samardzija is wrapping up the final year of his five-year contract with the Giants. Despite that contractual uncertainty, the 35-year-old (36 in January) is fully committed to pitching in 2021. “100 percent, without a doubt,” Samardzija replied when asked if he’s planning on playing next season (via Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic).

This surely isn’t the platform year the veteran rigthy was hoping for. A shoulder impingement sidelined Samardzija for over a month, and he’s been limited to four starts altogether. Those haven’t gone well, as Samardzija’s coughed up 19 runs (18 earned) in 16.2 innings. He’s struck out just six batters in that time while being tagged for seven home runs.

Lost year notwithstanding, Samardzija isn’t far removed from offering solid volume. He tossed 181.1 innings of 3.52 ERA ball last season. While his underlying metrics didn’t support that level of run prevention, he was unquestionably a useful part of last year’s pitching staff. Samardzija’s status with the 2020 Giants is less clear; he started last night’s game against the Padres, marking his final regular season appearance. At 29-29, San Francisco is one game up on the Phillies and Brewers for the National League’s final playoff spot with two days remaining. It’s theoretically possible Samardzija will pitch in the postseason, then, but it’s hardly a lock he’d be included on their postseason roster (should they qualify) in light of his struggles this season.

For what it’s worth, Samardzija spoke highly of the Giants’ organization and training staff, telling reporters (including Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle) he’d hope to land in a similar environment on his next deal. Presumably, he’d be amenable to staying in San Francisco if the club were interested in a reunion. Regardless of his ultimate destination, Samardzija’s next contract will be a low-cost one, possibly of the minor-league variety. Having banked upwards of $116MM in his career, the amiable veteran can afford to prioritize the right fit this offseason.

Giants Activate Jeff Samardzija

By | at

The Giants have activated right-hander Jeff Samardzija from the injured list. He’ll start the second game of their doubleheader against the Padres on Friday. This could be the final Giants outing for Samardzija, who’s a pending free agent.

Samardzija hasn’t made an appearance since Aug. 7, after which he went on the IL with a shoulder impingement. The 35-year-old posted disastrous production in three starts and 13 2/3 innings prior to his IL placement, as he recorded a 9.88 ERA/9.48 FIP with a career-worst 3.29 K/9 against 2.63 BB/9, and a personal-low 20.8 percent groundball rate. That’s not exactly the type of production which will endear Samardzija to other teams as he prepares for a trip to the open market during the offseason.

For the most part, Samardzija has been an effective hurler in the majors, where the former Notre Dame wide receiver has accrued 1,624 1/3 innings of 4.14 ERA/3.98 FIP pitching with the Cubs, Athletics, White Sox and Giants. Samardzija was good enough for the two Chicago clubs and Oakland that the Giants gave him a five-year, $90MM guarantee before 2016. While he hasn’t offered front-line numbers during his run with the Giants, Samardzija has logged 650 2/3 innings and a respectable 4.22 ERA/4.21 FIP since he joined the team.

Kevin Gausman Open To Staying With Giants

By | at

Although he’s soon to become one of the top free-agent pitchers in the majors, right-hander Kevin Gausman has interest in remaining with the Giants, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. As Schulman points out, you’d expect that type of sentiment from a pending free agent. However, Gausman noted that the presence of Giants icon and catcher Buster Posey was among the reasons he signed with them, and he’d like to pitch to Posey next season.

[RELATED: 2020-21 Free Agents]

Unfortunately for Gausman, he hasn’t gotten an opportunity to team with Posey yet. The backstop opted out of the season before it began because of coronavirus concerns. In the absence of the six-time All-Star, the Giants have turned to a combination of touted prospect Joey Bart, Chadwick Tromp and Tyler Heineman behind the plate. The Giants hope Bart will end up as the long-term successor to Posey, but the latter is still under contract for 2021. That means Gausman could get his wish to work with Posey if he re-signs in the offseason.

Less than a year ago, the Giants bought relatively low on Gausman – a former Oriole, Brave and Red – with a $9MM guarantee, and the soon-to-be 30-year-old has since turned in one of the best seasons of his career. Through 58 2/3 innings, the hard-throwing Gausman has logged a 3.68 ERA with 11.81 K/9 and 2.45 BB/9. He ranks seventh among qualified National League starters in both strikeouts per nine and FIP (3.15).

Considering his output with San Francisco, there’s little doubt Gausman will do land a much bigger payday during the upcoming winter. In fact, it’s quite possible the Giants will hand Gausman a qualifying offer before free agency commences.

Giants Release Justin Smoak

By | at

Sept. 23: Smoak has been placed on unconditional release waivers, per Jessica Kleinschmidt of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link).

Sept. 21: The Giants have designated first baseman Justin Smoak for assignment, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group was among those to report. They reinstated outfielder Alex Dickerson from the paternity list in a corresponding move.

This is the second time this month a team has cut Smoak, whom the Brewers designated Sept. 3 and then released on the 8th. Milwaukee signed Smoak, a three-time 20-home run hitter, to a $5MM guarantee last offseason off a so-so campaign with the Blue Jays. However, the switch-hitting 33-year-old only slashed .186/.262/.381 with five homers in 126 plate appearances before the Brewers cut ties with him.

Smoak may have been worth a low-risk shot for San Francisco, but he also couldn’t get back on track with the Giants, albeit over a small sample size of plate appearances. He wound up taking six trips to the plate and going without a hit as a Giant.

Mike Yastrzemski Suffers Mild Calf Strain

By | at

SEPT. 18: Yastrzemski has a mild calf strain and is now day-to-day, Crowley tweets. He’s not going on the IL.

SEPT. 17, 7:29pm: Yastrzemski will undergo an MRI on Friday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic tweets.

4:29pm: Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski left the team’s game against the Mariners on Thursday for what was then an undisclosed reason. It turns out he’s dealing with a tight right calf, Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group was among those to report.

There’s no word on the severity of Yastrzemski’s injury. However, calf troubles have been known to lead to IL stints (the Yankees’ Aaron Judge is among those capable of attesting to that), which would be a difficult late-season development for the Giants. They surprisingly entered play Thursday with a 24-24 record and a playoff spot in the National League, and their success has come thanks in no small part to Yastrzemski. The 30-year-old has been one of the NL’s most valuable players thus far, having slashed .285/.391/.553 with nine home runs and 2.3 fWAR in 209 plate appearances.

As a tremendous offensive player who can line up all over the outfielder, Yastrzemski has been the Giants’ MVP, so there wouldn’t be a realistic way to replace him if he does need to go on the IL. They subbed in Luis Basabe on Thursday, but he has just two MLB plate appearances to his name.

Injury Notes: JV, McCullers, Hoskins, Moronta, Chafin

By | at

Justin Verlander has continued to progress in his late-season comeback effort, as Jake Kaplan of The Athletic writes. The veteran hurler isn’t yet ready to return to the Astros rotation, of course, but he has now faced live hitters in a two-inning sim game. It’s still unclear how things will progress from here. The club would surely like to get JV a regular-season appearance before the season concludes, but it’s also possible he’d make his first start in the postseason. Meanwhile, the ’Stros have now welcomed back fellow right-hander Lance McCullers from his own stay on the injured list, as Mark Berman of FOX 26 was among those to tweet. It turned out to be a brief stay for McCullers, who had a procedure to relieve neck nerve irritation. He’ll look to improve upon a 5.79 ERA through his first eight outings.

Here are some more injury notes from around the league …

  • Phillies first bagger Rhys Hoskins is still in limbo as he deals with an elbow/foream issue. As Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports on Twitter, the burly slugger is holding out hope of a return even while the threat of a season-ending surgery hangs over his head. When and how this situation will be resolved isn’t yet clear. Losing Hoskins would represent a big dent to the Phils’ lineup. He has to this point of the season turned in a productive .245/.384/.503 slash line with ten long balls.
  • It seems the Giants could yet get a bullpen boost from right-hander Reyes Moronta. He’s ready for competitive mound action at the team’s alternate training site, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area notes on Twitter. Moronta has been building up after undergoing shoulder surgery, so the club won’t want to push him too hard. But it’s enticing to imagine adding another postseason weapon, particularly since Moronta is said to be showing typically strong velocity. Jeff Samardzija is also nearing readiness, with a five-inning set scheduled. It’s unclear what role may await for the veteran once he’s deemed a full go. He coughed up 15 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings over his first three starts on the year.
  • The Cubs haven’t yet received a contribution from recently acquired southpaw Andrew Chafin, but that may soon change. The 30-year-old reliever, who was nursing a finger sprain when he was dealt at the trade deadline, is close enough that he could be activated over the next few days, skipper David Ross indicated to reporters including Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Chafin had struggled to open the year in Arizona, but he’d represent a notable addition to a bullpen that has had its share of issues, especially from the left side.

Latest On Kevin Gausman

By | at

SEPT. 15: Gausman’s MRI came back clean and he could start this weekend, Baggarly tweets.

SEPT. 13: The Giants scratched Kevin Gausman from today’s scheduled start against the Padres with elbow tightness, per various reporters (including Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic). He’ll head for an MRI as a precaution, per Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link), but he’s not going on the injured list at this point. Gausman initially felt some discomfort playing catch a few days ago and woke up with some soreness this morning, relays Schulman.

Surely, the hope is that Gausman will avoid a serious problem and return in short order. The stakes are quite high for both player and team, though. At 23-22, San Francisco holds the seventh seed in the National League, with a two-game cushion on the Rockies for the final playoff spot. The Giants’ surprisingly solid performance is to some credit of Gausman, who has turned in 46.2 innings of 4.05 ERA/3.54 FIP ball this year. Quietly, the former Oriole has racked up strikeouts at a 32% clip, the eleventh-highest rate among qualified starters. Certainly, he has more than made good on the club’s buy-low $9MM investment this offseason. A healthy Gausman would be a part of the Giants’ playoff rotation if they hang on to a postseason spot.

It’s also highly important for Gausman personally to finish the season at full strength. He will return to the open market this winter in advance of his age-30 season. Between his strong platform year and youth, he’d be well-positioned in a market thin on high-end starting pitching.

Logan Webb will slide up in the rotation in Gausman’s place this evening. The 23-year-old has a 5.23 ERA/3.68 FIP in nine starts this year.

Giants Place Trevor Gott On Injured List

By | at

  • The Giants are placing right-handed reliever Trevor Gott on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation (via Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle). It has been a nightmarish season for the 28-year-old. After seemingly breaking out in 2019, Gott has allowed 13 runs (all earned) in 11.2 innings with eight strikeouts and walks apiece.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top