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Giants Acquire Daniel Robertson, Designate Hunter Pence

By Anthony Franco | August 23, 2020 at 11:02am CDT

The Giants have acquired infielder Daniel Robertson from the Rays in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Robertson has been assigned to the Giants’ alternate training site. To clear 40-man roster space, outfielder Hunter Pence has been designated for assignment, reports Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter).

Robertson was designated for assignment himself earlier this week. The 26-year-old looked like a solid rotational piece back in 2018, when he hit .262/.382/.415 (128 wRC+) in 340 plate appearances while playing all across the infield. Unfortunately, Robertson’s power completely disappeared last season, as he stumbled to .213/.312/.295 line (71 wRC+) in 237 plate appearances. Still, as a versatile, optionable 26-year-old one year removed from a quality offensive season, it’s easy to see the appeal for San Francisco. Indeed, that the Giants affirmatively swung a trade suggests the front office feared he’d get claimed had they tried to wait out the waiver wire.

The Robertson acquisition marks the end of Pence’s second stint with S.F. Thanks at least partially to swing adjustments he made in the 2018-19 offseason, Pence made a remarkable return to form with the Rangers. He hit .297/.358/.552 (128 wRC+) in Texas last season, earning an improbable All-Star bid. That set the stage for the fan favorite to return to San Francisco, where he shined for the better part of eight seasons.

Unfortunately, the 37-year-old has gotten off to a terrible start this year. He’s hitting just .096/.161/.250 with two home runs through 56 plate appearances. That likely wiped out any hope the rebuilding Giants would’ve had of flipping him to a contender before the August 31 deadline.

Assuming he’s amenable, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pence latch on with a minor-league deal elsewhere if he’s eventually released. There’d be little harm in bringing the amiable veteran to an alternate training site to see if he can recapture his 2019 form at the dish.

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Newsstand San Francisco Giants Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Daniel Robertson Hunter Pence

Marlins Select Brian Navarreto
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View Comments (58)
Post a Comment

58 Comments

  1. DarkSide830

    5 years ago

    so long, sweet Pence

    12
    Reply
    • tonyinsingapore

      5 years ago

      Hard to believe Pence goes and Whale, sorry I mean Panda, stays…

      3
      Reply
  2. birdsfan415

    5 years ago

    you saw it coming hunter

    Reply
  3. pato349

    5 years ago

    Panda….. you are next!

    7
    Reply
    • pustule bosey

      5 years ago

      Yeah I mean I root for him but sadly he has not been good at the plate and his weight is keeping his def down

      Reply
      • 123redsox

        5 years ago

        Pablo Sandoval has been declining since 2012. He must be a nice guy or something cus he sure isn’t a good major leaguer

        2
        Reply
        • scottn59c

          5 years ago

          He had a really nice year last year, given the diminished expectations. But it’s clear that the end of the line has come for him.

          2
          Reply
        • hopper15

          5 years ago

          He actually wasn’t that bad in 2019. But I’m aware Red Sox fans are still upset he took you for a 90 million dollar ride.

          2
          Reply
        • Hasty

          5 years ago

          Actually Sandoval was one of the best pinch-hitters in the whole NL last season before he went down with an injury. He had an overall OPS of .820.

          3
          Reply
  4. GaryWarriorsRedSoxx

    5 years ago

    This is so crazy I don’t understand it unless there’s an injury or something. Pence was amazing last year and then just fell off the map. How does something like this happen? Can’t say, oh it’s cuz he’s 37. Well he was 36 last year LOL. I guess it’s just one of the crazy things in sports. Caught lightning in a bottle last year.

    1
    Reply
    • Baseball 1600

      5 years ago

      He’s hurt by the short season. If this was a full 162 I’m sure the Giants would’ve given him 50-60 games before making a decision like this but the fact is that he just never got it going this year.

      4
      Reply
      • oscar gamble

        5 years ago

        Plus with no fans in attendance his popularity and the chance he’d sell some tickets isn’t an issue.

        6
        Reply
    • wild bill tetley

      5 years ago

      Hitting versus lefties in a bandbox like Texas v. hitting in San Fran, plus a layoff and an extra year older. It happens.

      7
      Reply
    • The Human Rain Delay

      5 years ago

      Texas was great at spot starting him vs lefties and weak righties –

      Once he got rolling they kept it that way to ensure trade value (albeit still minimal)

      He never fit SF but I guess the valued the insurance

      Reply
  5. qturner

    5 years ago

    Thank you Hunter for all the memories. Great career. You’ve got a lot to be proud of and many fans who will always remember your contributions to the game, and to the Bay Area. Good luck.

    4
    Reply
  6. VegasSDfan

    5 years ago

    Hitting in Texas is a little easier than SF. Even so, he must be battling an injury.
    The Marlins are calling.

    1
    Reply
  7. So. Cal. Giants fan

    5 years ago

    You had a great run Mr. Pence. Thank you for all you did during the World Series years. You will always be a fan favorite and never be forgotten. My daughter still has your orange Friday jersey!! Best of luck my bro!!

    2
    Reply
    • semut

      5 years ago

      To be fair, I doubt he’s reading this

      2
      Reply
  8. Monkey’s Uncle

    5 years ago

    “And here’s to you, Daniel Robertson…”

    3
    Reply
    • claude raymond

      5 years ago

      “Heaven holds a place for those who pray…hey hey hey”

      2
      Reply
  9. Cora the Destroya

    5 years ago

    I still think someone could pick him up.

    1
    Reply
    • Baseball 1600

      5 years ago

      If Pence wasn’t injured as often as he was he would’ve been the type of guy to play till he was 45. He’s always working in the offseason and he looks better physically every year. Sucks that he’s probably dealing with an injury right now or something.

      1
      Reply
      • Cora the Destroya

        5 years ago

        Might be better to call it quits this season and possibly look to DH next year. He’s still got some pure talent.

        2
        Reply
        • ABStract

          5 years ago

          He was great until Bochy let him do his whole iron man streak of consecutive games played or whatever…he got run down and injured and except for last year has never been the same player.
          Still, sad to see him go, always gave 110%, but he’s not hitting at all this year

          1
          Reply
        • nekkua

          5 years ago

          That wasn’t it. It was the broken arm that changed him. After he got hit by a pitch in spring training and broke his arm he wasn’t the same.

          Reply
  10. lapmando

    5 years ago

    Thank you Hunter for being the guy I could point to and say to my son “watch this guy, he plays the game right.”

    2
    Reply
  11. talking baseball

    5 years ago

    HUNTER PENCE will always be a
    “FOREVER GIANT”

    5
    Reply
    • 5TUNT1N

      5 years ago

      Aside from throwing right ? Also love the guy!

      Reply
    • johnnydubz

      5 years ago

      @talking baseball didn’t they get him from the Phillies who got him from the Astros? That explains how Giants won in 12,14 since he was a cheater

      Reply
  12. bighouseblue

    5 years ago

    He has Tribe written ALL over him! This is the kind of scraps they like.

    Reply
    • solaris602

      5 years ago

      Nah, the only way I could see CLE picking him up is if their OF + depth pieces were all injured/falling apart. The guy just wasn’t hitting this year, and OFs like that are a dime a dozen on the waiver wire.

      Reply
  13. VTGiant

    5 years ago

    Another Zaidi dumpster dive?

    1
    Reply
    • claude raymond

      5 years ago

      Looks like it there VT. Other dumpster dives: Yaz, Solano, Flores, Tyler Anderson, Gausman, Rogers, jarlin Garcia, etc.

      2
      Reply
      • VTGiant

        5 years ago

        Yeah sure, guarantee the Rays were reluctant to DFA this future hall of farmer Robertson

        Reply
        • claude raymond

          5 years ago

          Hello?

          Reply
        • claude raymond

          5 years ago

          The point, since you’re struggling with my post, is that Zaidi has picked up several players that other teams haven’t want. Some have proven to be good pickups, like the ones I list previously. Some have not. You never know.

          You don’t get basehits if you don’t swing the bat. Btw, the hall of Famer comment was pure brilliance, as long as we’re sharing sarcasm

          1
          Reply
        • claude raymond

          5 years ago

          Muncy, Chris Taylor, Kiki hernandez also unwanted players picked up by Zaidi. None are future hall of famers tho.

          1
          Reply
        • Chief Two Hands

          5 years ago

          It’s funny how that so many people credit Zaidi with moves made by Friedman. Zaidi was little more than Friedman’s intern as far as decisions were made when he was with the Dodgers organization. It’s generally just wishful thinking from Giants fans, though.

          1
          Reply
        • Curtis 2

          5 years ago

          Rays fan here and this he looked like he could be the next Ben Zobrist a couple years ago. Above average fielder all over the infield, decent power, and lots of walks.. He broke his hand last year and stunk it up when he returned, I know the Rays have a ridiculous amount of infield depth but I’m shocked they didn’t get anything for him.

          Reply
        • claude raymond

          5 years ago

          Ok, you want to delete the Dodger pickups from Zaidi’s resumé to fill some Zaidi hatred need? Hate on Chief Wishes he Needed 2 Hands to…. Check out todays box score. Holy hell when does the obvious kick in for Chief One Tweezer? Yaz, Dickerson, Cahill, Rogers, Garcia. Dumpster Divees.

          1
          Reply
        • PandaExpress

          5 years ago

          Claude I don’t see how people can be so blind. Normally I would say f***** stupid but I’m trying to be nice here. You don’t normally get something for nothing. And the 2 best hitters on the Giants currently were picked up for nothing at positions of grave need. The trajectory Booby was on had us not competing until at least 2024.

          Reply
  14. DrDan75

    5 years ago

    It’s always sad when an old veteran player’s skills erode to a point where he can no longer contribute. But they love the game, so clubs kind of have to rip the uniform off of them.

    Reply
  15. missjill2u

    5 years ago

    Hunter is a much loved guy and hope he lands somewhere and gets back on his feet. I believe he will want to play wherever he can, even in the minors, because he loves to play. He’s someone I root for wherever he might be. Once his career is over as a player (whenever that might be) I hope he comes back to be on the Giants staff because of his enthusiasm, kindness and knowledge. Hell I’d give him Kapler’s job!!!

    Reply
  16. Logjammer D"Baggagecling

    5 years ago

    just send Pence to Tampa

    Reply
  17. Tom1968

    5 years ago

    Pemce is now on the fence

    Reply
  18. scottn59c

    5 years ago

    Hunter Pence will make a great manager one day. The passion and leadership he brought to the Giants in the championship years is well documented.

    I wish Zaidi would have canned Kapler and let Pence become a player/manager.

    Reply
  19. tim815

    5 years ago

    Mice get bu SF.

    Might not work, but a nice get.

    Reply
  20. mfm420

    5 years ago

    that’s one pence out of a job, now to get rid of another in november (let’s send that one home to mother, folks).

    2
    Reply
    • Tom1968

      5 years ago

      You mean heels up harris, ? Enough of the harris’ too

      1
      Reply
  21. davemlaw

    5 years ago

    Daniel Robertson was drafted by the A’s back in 2012, 1st round, 34th overall. So Farhan is definitely familiar with him and may have even been the guy who chose him then, making this trade all the more plausible.

    Sad about Hunter but I’m sure he understands more than anyone. He just wasn’t producing and with Darin Ruf looking more than serviceable, Pence was the odd man out. I’ve got a Hunter Pence bobblehead on his scooter. Good luck Hunter! Come back next year as a coach.

    Reply
  22. Bob Lablah

    5 years ago

    Can the PTBNL be Longo?

    Reply
    • claude raymond

      5 years ago

      You actually wrote that, read it and hit SEND. No more airplane glue for you Bob

      Reply
  23. nentwigs

    5 years ago

    So, Hunter’s career with the Giants is officially….
    Tast Pence !!

    1
    Reply
  24. DodgerOK

    5 years ago

    Time to hang them up, Hunter. You had a good career.

    Reply
  25. JamesDaltOn

    5 years ago

    Hunter Pence was a good ball player.

    Reply
  26. SFGiants4ever

    5 years ago

    Zaidi loves anyone that he has some connection to in the past, and here comes another one. Hopefully they end up sending cash to the Rays and not another player for someone the Rays planned to lose anyway.

    Reply
  27. Jerry Woytus

    5 years ago

    Thanks to the max for you Hunter helping to bring us those titles. Somehow if Farhan knew this would be a 60 game season, he might not have signed Pence? Now the question is, are we in the pennant race or not Farhan? If we are, we need a closer and could use another bat like Puig, just to torment the Dodgers if for no other reason. Adding a Puig and now Bart could really produce some offense.

    Reply
  28. WarrenSpahn

    5 years ago

    Farewell, again, Underpants…

    Reply

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