The Giants are suddenly drawing some interest in lefty Drew Pomeranz, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 30-year-old southpaw lost his rotation spot a couple weeks back and has been sharp since moving to the ’pen — albeit in a tiny sample of three appearances. Pomeranz has tossed 4 1/3 shutout frames with six strikeouts, one hit allowed and one walk.
It’s obviously unlikely that he’d command a significant return after logging a 6.10 ERA, 5.58 FIP and 4.67 xFIP in 72 1/3 innings as a starter. But Pomeranz has had considerable success as a reliever in the past. He spent the bulk of the 2014-15 seasons in the Oakland bullpen and posted a 3.08 ERA with 8.5 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and 0.9 HR/9. In his career, he’s turned in a 2.86 ERA in 91 2/3 innings of relief, notching a 96-to-34 K/BB ratio and allowing just a .213/.292/.317 batting line in that time.
The situation for Pomeranz isn’t entirely different from that of just-traded former teammate Derek Holland. Pomeranz has also fared much better against left-handed hitters this year, holding them to a cumulative .250/.309/.398 batting line with 11.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. Pomeranz also wouldn’t cost much, as he’s playing on a $2MM base salary in 2019. Both pitchers hold appeal as possible left-on-left matchup men who’d also represent swingman depth given their long histories as starters.
For the Giants, moving Pomeranz wouldn’t necessarily have to occur as part of a broader sell-off. If the club decides to hang onto its best relief assets, it’d continue to feature two quality southpaws in closer Will Smith and setup man Tony Watson. At the same time, if the club does forego significant sell-side moves, it probably doesn’t make much sense to part with Pomeranz if he’s seen as one of the club’s best seven relievers. The return isn’t likely to be substantial. But if he just isn’t a part of the San Francisco plans, perhaps there’s a shot of gaining some salary relief.
Pomeranz looked real good out of the pen, FB was up to 96 and CB had a lot of bite too it. I think he be best suited as a reliever..
I could see the Twins going for him.
They like low cost and need another lefty in the pen besides Rogers.
I’m not saying that the Twins SHOULD, however, but it seems like a Twins’ move. And he might work out just fine.
I feel like if a deal gets done, it’s going to be Cashman sending scraps to SF and calling it a great deal to improve the rotation instead of offering Frazier and maybe a lower prospect for Bumgarner and moving on if Zaidi says no.
Let the Giants hold the only real trade chip they have and we’ll sign him for nothing more than money in 3 months.
i dont see anything more then the minimal possible return as far as prospect value goes. Pomz hasnt proven he can be a good BP asset yet, so im sure most contenders would be a bit skeptical.
Then they might as well hold on to him. Salary relief isn’t high on SF’s list of needs.
Nah. He’s gone after this year and easily replaceable. Gotta go.
If there’s interest, that means he’s being shopped
At this point, the Giants trade partners are Atlanta and AL teams. He’s probably going back to Boston or Oakland considering his salary.
Getting rid of him gives them an opportunity to get younger guys in. Who have options. Zaidi likes to move players up and down. That being said, I don’t know anything about Pomeranz service time or contract terms as it relates to minor league options and I don’t care enough to check on it. I’m all for dumping him for cash considerations and calling up another lefty from AAA
His salary is small enough that giants should get a player for him
And exactly. His role (long reliever/mop up duty) is the most easily replaceable of all the bullpen roles. He can be traded quick and easy without affecting any of the high-leverage roles. It’s a no brainer.
Caveat Emptor. He is a garbage player. Ok enough if you have no aspirations of competing and just need filler, but he can’t be trusted.
I feel like the Rays could work him into the opener rotation after starting him in the pen. Can’t be worse than relievers that give up 7 run leads in one inning.
Not true. I believe the giants put up 7 in the top half of the first inning in a game against the O’s earlier this season. Promeraz started and promptly gave up 8 in the first inning I believe it was. Hes been better out of the bullpen but, I’m shocked they kept him over Vincent (who wasn’t great either)
Having a bad start is one thing, but our bullpen has been really great at giving up large leads lately. Multiple games over the last few weeks where we had a solid lead and then our “relievers” or “closers” come in and they’re giving up hits and homers left and right. I know everyone has off days, things happen, but theoretically as a member of the bullpen, your job is literally to throw 3-30 pitches that shouldn’t be hit. It’s literally what you’re paid millions of dollars to do. I’m not saying it’s not hard, i know I couldn’t do it, but I haven’t trained my whole life for it. Maybe I’m crazy, but I don’t understand why a member of ANY mlb bullpen should have an ERA over 3 for more than a month. Like I said, I understand that bad games happen, but if you’re consistently giving up MULTIPLE runs you shouldn’t be in a relief position.
Would the return even be worth it?
Maybe a fit in Boston.
Lol!!!!!!!
Think you gotta fight his other former employer in Oakland
My bank account is drawing some interest. My palm rants for the money.
Could you imagine if the Mets got him!!!??!
Interesting direction MLB is going when you see a team looking to trade for this guy. .250/.309/.398 doesn’t sound like loogy material to me..unless your Detroit.
If Smith and Vazquez are off the trade block, teams are left to settle for Pomeranz or Elias or risk going into the playoffs with the crap lefties they got. Rock and a hard place.
move him for a lottery ticket or a comp pick – cueto is rehabbing and some things are going to have to move around so better to make some space in the pen than to ent up having to lose a guy that could have gotten you something or send down someone in favor of someone that doesn’t have options or needs to be returned
To get a comp pick, they have to offer him a qualifying offer (1-year/18M). He’d certainly accept that and be overpaid by 9 times what he’s worth, so the comp pick is not viable option for Drew Pomeranian. He has to be traded for the best possible return now or leave for nothing in the offseason.
The most recent example of the market is the Cubs were too scared to let Holland go through waivers that they gave SF cash money for him (and Holland was making $8M this year compared to Drew’s $2M).
All adds up to him being gone by Wednesday in my book. I’d say to Boston or Oakland for a AA player like Vargas or maybe an A baller if the Giants get lucky.
No. He’ssaying trade him for a comp pick from another team, which is the only type of pick that’s tradable. He’s nowhere near worth that so it’s still very very dumb but not for the reasons you’re suggesting. Not sure when the last trade involving one of those was. I think the Lester/Cespedes swap had one involved. Maybe the Goldschmidt trade too? Can’t remember off the top of my head.