The Giants have acquired infielder Thairo Estrada in a trade with the Yankees in exchange for cash considerations, the two teams announced. Estrada will head to the Giants’ alternate training site and be added to the 40-man roster. Outfielder Jaylin Davis (left knee tendinitis) was placed on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move to open up a 40-man roster space.
New York designated Estrada for assignment earlier this week to free up roster space for the newly-acquired Rougned Odor. Estrada has spent his entire professional career in the Yankees organization, hitting .280/.337/.389 with 26 home runs over 1949 minor league plate appearances from 2013-19 and .214/.267/.348 over 121 PA at the Major League level in 2019-20. Rather than his bat, Estrada’s value came from his defensive versatility, as he logged a lot of playing time at shortstop, second base, and third base in the minors, and also made a few appearances as a corner outfielder in 2019.
Estrada may have a tough time breaking into a Giants depth chart that is already full of multi-positional infielders, but he might be a better depth option behind Brandon Crawford at shortstop than Donovan Solano or Mauricio Dubon, particularly since Dubon has been increasingly deployed as an outfielder.
Davis was already expected to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks due to his knee issue, so the 60-day placement will allow Davis some time to fully ramp up in the minors before the Giants consider finding a spot for him on the active roster. The 26-year-old has seen action with San Francisco in each of the last two seasons, appearing in 21 total games with a .515 OPS over 59 PA.
Interesting. Hopefully, this is a good trade for the Giants. Zaidi is a genius.
@Francys01- it will be a really good trade for the Giants. Estrada is a good hitter and a good defender all over the infield, and he can play some left-field also. Obviously, I hate this trade. No need for Odor. I’m not happy about that move.
Odor is simply Cash doubling down on his TTO guys.
Let’s look at how that has worked out for this core, @YLF 75.
2017: second in MLB in runs with 5.19/game
2018: second in MLB in runs with 5.22/game
2019: first in MLB in runs with 5.77(!)/game
2020: third in MLB in runs with 5.39/game
By my quick math, the Yanks have made it home more than any other team in MLB over the last 4 seasons.
That’s really good!
Cashman has shown that he builds two things very well; elite scoring offenses & extremely deep & talented bullpens.
He has also shown that – to a pretty high degree – that formula works.
Hasn’t lead to a title (or pennant) but it has lead to 4 consecutive playoff teams – all of which went on some type of run – & a couple LCS appearances. Only for the Yanks would that be viewed as a “failure”. Every other fan base in MLB would gladly accept that level of ineptitude.
Cash saw an opportunity to upgrade & he took it.
The End.
This is his wheelhouse. Bet it works out.
@Ducky Buckin Fent- I see you wanted Odor and are happy about him being here. I’m not. This guy is the worst. I would of preferred Estrada here instead of him. Atleast Thairo can defend his position. Odor has more power and is left-handed, I understand that. But if we wanted him so bad why didn’t we just wait him to clear waivers? Smh. It just doesn’t make any sense, bro. That’s my point. Why do we need Ca$hman here anymore? When you or I, or the @Yankee Clipper or @JoeSays… can do what he does.
For the yankees is world series or bust. Cashman needs to win it all now or let someone else try. Elite scoring offenses that do nothing in the post season and we can have the best bullpen of all time yet we have nothing to show for it. Baseball hasn’t changed much pitching still wins championships.
mmmmmm….
“I see you wanted Odor…”
That’s…an interesting – & I feel inaccurate assessment – of the point I was trying to make, @YLF.
You do seem to like your extreme takes.
Perhaps I am explaining it poorly.
In the end, Cash has a realiy good track record with these kind of pick ups; Voit, Urshela, Tauchman, Didi, Hicks, etc.
Cash is a far better GM than I, & I’ve no qualms with admitting that.
@2016rebuild –
“For the Yanks is world series or bust” [sic]
Like it – or not – that is no longer the paradigm in NY. After ’18 Cashman didn’t apologize to the fans for not winning the World Series. & in ’19 he came out with; “the playoffs are a crapshoot”.
Hal wants the Yanks in the postseason every year. Boy…could be a lot worse as I look around the league.
“Elite offenses that do nothing in the post season” = False Narrative. But I know I’ll probably never convince you of that.
“…pitching still wins championships…”.
Which is why the Yanks signed Gerrit Cole & have assembled the ‘pen with the highest projected fWAR. Because, pitching still – indeed – is an integral component of postseason success.
I feel like you guys just want to be MAD ONLINE!, & are kind of panicking a week & a half into the season.
Hey Ducky:
I with you on Cashman. While I don’t understand why he would want Odor, and let a guy with upside like Estrada go, to get him, I do know that every GM/PoBO has a lot more information available than the average fan. On top of that, Cashman isn’t making these decisions completely unilaterally. He has input from the MLB and MiLB coaching staffs, his scouting dept., sabermetrics dept. etc.
I do get that when people complain about Cashman, they’re really complaining, not just about him, but him and his staff. But I just don’t have the hubris to believe I’m smarter than Cashman and his staff, even if I don’t understand the Odor acquisition. Same with Zaidi, and most other execs, that haven’t proved themselves inept.
Curious about @Yankee Clipper;s take.
Good afternoon, @tad.
In 22 years, Brian Cashman has won 4 titles, 2 spare pennants, has missed the playoffs a grand total of thrice, & has never presided over a losing team. Big budget – or not – that’s a pretty impressive run of success. His squad will be in postseason once again this year & chances are next year as well, the year after that…well you get the idea.
Haven’t seen Clip on the board for a few days.
Funny, I too am a Cashman supporter but I’ve grown weary of his formula for building all or nothing swing for the fence rosters. We have an abundance of power but these guys cannot make contact against good pitching in clutch spots which is bad for short series and the playoffs. They are also a bad defensive team. So when you have a roster which lacks clutch hitting, strikes out way too much, relies on home runs, can’t defend, and most of the time compiles run against weak pitchers than you have a team that is not a serious playoff team!
Time to make adjustments. I would trade Hicks in center and replace him with a big defense first cf with a high contact bat. Doesn’t have to be a guy that hits any home runs. Than I would move DJ over to first, Gleyber to second, and trade Voit and a prospect for Trevor Story.
Trading Voit is a big loss but we have too many Voits. Hicks contract is very reasonable but clearing it out opens up money for Story and we need a ss that can pick it.
Now Odor can be the super utility.
Hicks to St Louis could be an option as St Louis definitely needs outfield help.
Voit and whatever they get in return for Hicks to Colorado for Story?
Cash has proven that he knows what makes for a good baseball team.
Lol
You guys wore me out.
Good win, though. I’ll take it. Perhaps that’ll calm the fellas down.
I’m going to see if I can bamboozle some geese into 10ga range as I am now all baseballed out.
@billy While I agree that the Yankees have a high-powered lineup coupled with high strikeouts, they see a lot pitches thus grinds down opposing starters. High-contact, elite defensive centerfielders don’t exactly grow on trees. Hicks himself is a pretty good defender and is perenially among the league leaders in pitches seen per plate appearance. Brett Gardner too. Clutch-hitting is purely anectodal and unquantifiable. How exactly do you measure it? Do .250 hitters suddenly become .300+ hitters when the pressuire is on?
Why would you move an elite 2B to a position where he would only be slightly above average? You’re also way overvaluing Voit if you think he can headline a Story trade. It’s not even close. Cashman’s all-or-nothing approach scores a lot of runs over the course of a season which is what really matters.
Glad they came through! The top of the ninth had me fuming with Gardy’s blunder. It should’ve never gone to extras.
I’m not debating your points but your missing mine. I’m not talking about obtaining batters that can hit for high average or are big in clutch spots. I’m talking about building a lineup with players that can move runners over, can make contact in big spots and give us a chance to put runs on the board late in games. Hicks strikes out too much and while he has a patient approach we have a ton of that already. Voit has multiple years left under contract so yes I’m valuing him based on the fact he right now is one of the top overall offensive first baseman in the league and signed for multiple years while Story will walk after this year. I also mentioned adding a prospect in. Maybe that prospect would have to be an Albert Abreu or one of our young catchers? But the point is Voit has very good value.
Like the Yankees offense, they ground me down.
“Nice work in relief by @YankeesBleacherCreature, as Fent was clearly starting to labor out there. Good job getting out of the jam with the lead intact…”
In an oddly parallel experience; Yanks were shut out on Saturday as was I on Friday in a rare occurrence for both of us. Yanks pulled it out at the end today as did I. I’m not sure how to make this a superstition but I’m sure it’s there.
Any help in interpreting this data in order to ensure more Yankee wins &/or more waterfowl in my game bag would be welcome.
Merci.
@billy I get what you’re saying but we’re in a new paradigm where launch angles, line-drive, hard-hit, and exit-velocity rates are what front offices care about. Nobody is trying to put the ball on the ground anymore to find holes. The only guy that may try do now that is Brett Gardner. Guys like Voit, who I love, are not difficult to find which is why I don’t see other teams valuing him the same as you do. I’d rather not give up cheap talents for Story when he can walk away at the end of the season. I’m going to keep saying it but offense and defense are not their weakness. It’s always been starting pitching.
@ducky Let’s hope you snag another 100 or more ducks!
He pretty much summed up Cashman. He builds elite offenses and bullpens, butno title. That’s because defense and pitching wins championships. Watching the horrible fundamentals of this team is heartbreaking for a Yankee fan.
Being a good team that runs red hot wins championships.
Please do say more about the Yankees fundamentals or lackthereof.
What I’m willing to do on behalf of my fellow Yankee fans is to put a lot more research into this in order to arrive at the proper superstition.
This is a sacrifice I find myself willing to make. It is a selfless act that I’ll not even expect any thanks over.
I’m on it, fellas.
@ YankeesBleacherCreature –
Ok.
All joking aside, I do find some validity in ak’s take.
Since Joe G left, I too have noticed an increase in sloppy play. We do lots of really dumb stuff on the bases, for example. Lots.
Also: Giradi’s squads comprised of many of the same players – & all of the same type – always finished in the bottom or just outside the top 10 in defensive metrics.
The Yanks have been trending down in this regard the last several seasons, however.
The nadir occurred in ’20, as we were ranked 29th(!) in team DRS. Defensively, ’21 seems more of the same. I put this squarely on Boone. But it’s not possible for me to laud this club’s performance fundamentally no matter whom is actually to blame.
We really do need to clean up our act on the bases (so far so good-ish) & stop kicking the ball all over the yard. I’m generally a turbohomer & always optimistic but these things have to be addressed.
When the yankees get nothing but goose eggs what makes you think they’ll hatch when you go shooting?
Well, that’s exactly what I’m trying to work out here, Mr Hayzee.
With the proper completely unfounded superstition in play I am attempting to eliminate all further goose eggings for both the Yanks & my humble self.
The important thing is that I’m willing to make this effort as I am obviously a totally selfless dude.
This move is horrible. Should’ve dropped Wade and gave Estrada a shot. Can’t get any worse.
Zaidi is just a guy who treats the Giants as if it were his own personal fantasy baseball team. If he is a genius then I’m a genius as well cuz I picked up Naquin and Mercedes off waivers. I will likely end up dropping them for the next shinny object that catches my eye much like Farhan has done over 200 times in less than 3 years. Is that really genius or just a severe case of ADHD?
you’re 100 percent right. Yaz, Solano, Dickerson, and Gausman were all people that any random joe could’ve seen coming from a mile away. the fact of the matter is Zaidi has put us in a great position to grow back into contention eventually going forward. to discredit him and compare him to you picking up people on your fantasy team in ludicrous. giants fans like you constantly moaning and bitching given the fact Zaidi has been helping us out of a horrible situation are the problem. you don’t go from zeroes to heroes overnight.
Give Farhan some credit for Kapler while you’re at it. So far this year he has been excellent. Leaving Cueto in as long as he did would have never happened a year or two ago. He has shown some incredible instincts so far and I couldn’t be more impressed. Finding guys like the ones you named above isn’t hard if you churn the roster as much as Farhan has done. That doesn’t take brains it takes roster space and nothing more. Role players like these guys are great but they need a few superstars and I am not convinced he knows how to acquire what we will need to not just be good but actually win another WS.
“finding guys like the ones you named above isn’t hard if you churn the roster as much as Farhan has done.”
So why isn’t every rebuilding team successful at finding these types?
What is your plan for the Giants to be successful RIGHT now? It’s not even a difficult question for you because, after all, you did pick up Naquin off waivers.
Also, it’s amazing you’re sticking with the name Giants4life, given your posts are so hateful, anti-Giants, and anti-Farhan that a Dodgers fan would blush.
Seriously, also no one agrees with you @giants4life
More like @giantsgetalife
@giants4whayever…you don’t think Farhan will be able to throw money at free agents once that’s the right move?
Why?! Nothing you’ve said leads to a conclusion that he couldn’t sign free agents (or that he’s done anything but a brilliant job since coming in)
You don’t have a single like bruh, plus the Giants are winning…maybe consider that you’re wrong?
Giants made a great trade!!! He was blocked in NY by Torres and to a lesser extent by Wade. Worse case scenario the Giants get a solid utility infielder. With playing time he could become a very solid SS or 2B. This could prove to be a huge steal,
Definitely a potentially good utility infielder… doesn’t have the bat to be a starter though
Don’t the Giants have enough of these “swiss-army knife” utility infielders already? Dubon, LaStella, Solano, etc?
Giants already have enough weak bats in the middle infield. What they need (at least right now) is a power bat who hits LH.
@Scottn59c- got news for you. You stole a good player today, that is better then all the guys you mentioned. All Estrada needs is the at bats. You will be pleased, and he will never hurt you defensively either.
Hope you’re right – thanks for your take from the NYY side!
Solano is pretty much a 2nd base guy that can occasionally play 1st and 3rd and dubon is pretty much the starting CF now so … just lastella fits that
Someone being blocked by wade isn’t a good player cause wade shouldn’t be blocking anyone that has any type of talent
Wade shouldn’t be blocking a little leaguer.if you can’t hit a lick, at least have elite fielding and base running. He literally sucks at everything.
You guys mean the dude that was on base 3 times today?
Not saying you’re wrong overall, but you picked a bad day to try to slam Wade for no reason
One game. Wow! Retire his number. Let him do it over about 20 games and then make the big comeback response.
Well this should fix everything for the Yankees.
And now we know the winner of “Ro” vs. Wade.
Giants acquire guy better than Odor so Yanks can have Odor?
That what’s going on here? Worst case is Giants acquire a guy who might have upside so Tanks can have Odor.
Time will tell. But what has Estrada done to say he’s better than Odor?
I’m far more familiar with Odor, who has been terrible in recent years.
I asked because I honestly don’t know a ton about Estrada
Exactly. I understand if Cash thinks they can rejuvenate Odor at the plate, but drop Wade instead. Estrada can’t be worse than Wade.
Goodbairo Estrada
I was really hoping that the Orioles would have got him. We can really use the depth, plus I think he was held back in ny.
His development was hindered by getting shot.
Another great crashman product.
I am really enjoying reading how pissed off the Yankees fans are at a GM who got them Torres and Frazier while resigning Chapman the very next year. A guy who drafted Aaron Judge and fleeced the Cardinals for Luke Voit. The Yankees are a WS contender for the next 5 years easy and the Giants would love to have your problems. All the while Farhan hasn’t even come close to moves this impactful or even made a playoff yet and he is a genius. Maybe it is just a difference in fanbase but I am at least one fan who isn’t blindly trusting a GM who has 3 players signed past this season.
He’s just a numbers casualty. And a great pick up for SF.
Farhan has been excellent so far. The Giants were ranked #2 positional prospect farm system and not too long ago it seemed like the Giants couldn’t develop any hitting. Not to mention everyone critiqued his signing of Kevin Gausman and yet, Gausman is off to a terrific start and just recently out-dueled Blake Snell in San Diego.
Winners aren’t built overnight. Farhan inherited the worst situation in baseball and created an up and coming farm; he also found Yaz and Solano. Why are so many Giants fans whiny today?
edit: nvm, you’re the same whiner as above.
Zaidi has a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT and a PHD in economics from the Cal Berkeley. He was a massive impact in the success of the A’s and Dodgers.
To say I’m blindly trusting is a bit much. I think Zaidi has a master plan for this year, next year and the year after, plus four or five backup plans in place. He’s probably already looking at junior high players and who is a free agent in 2028. The guy might be the smartest man in baseball.
@giant4life- if you want Ca$hman that bad you can have em. Ca$hman’s time here in NY hopefully comes to an end. I’ve had it. And yes, Girardi was a much better manager then Boone. Ca$hman and Girardi couldn’t co-exist anymore. I hear about this all the time. It was either Girardi or Ca$hman. The Yankees choose the wrong guy, obviously. Smh
@Y4L Same for Joe Torre. I read his book. I don’t feel the same way about Cashman as you do. Good GM’s are hard to find.
@YBC- how many years has it been since the Yankees and Ca$hman won the World Series? Yup it’s time for your boy to go! When was the last significant starting pitcher Ca$hman had signed before Gerrit Cole? Bye Ca$hman!
@giants4, if you had any actual baseball knowledge, you’d understand how not having future payroll commitments is actually a great thing when you’re trying to do what you accused Farhan of not being able to do in your previous post, SIGN FREE AGENTS
For someone with so little knowledge you sure have a lot to say, maybe keep it to yourself until you’ve gotten a more firm grasp on understanding baseball
And change your name immediately
ABS, I’m just looking forward to the next fantasy baseball reference from from giant4gethim. But his last sentence, he’s “at least one fan
ABS, I’m just looking forward to the next fantasy baseball reference from from giant4gethim. But his last sentence, he’s “at least one fan that isn’t blindly” blah blah blah, says it all. I agree with him, there ARE others who are blind. Zaidi has brought in everyone but Posey, Belt, Crawford and Longoria and Webb and Cueto. Thats 20 players on the current roster that are Zaidi pickups (now that Moronta is hurt). Team ERA is second in all of baseball (what’s 4gethim’s fantasy team ERA?). 20 shiny (one n) Zaidi pickups. 6wins, 3 losses.
Great pick up. He’s got some pop. But hustles every play,showing up our current jogging stiffs.
Depth is always good. If Solano or Longo get injured, we have Estrada and Vosler in AAA.
This is why it’s a great move. Giants were pretty thin on middle infield depth before this—especially at SS. To get someone this young with any upside instead of a 33 year old career minor league SS is already impressive in and of itself. Maybe SF can get even more than depth out of Estrada too.
Another dumpster dive for sure. If he was that good, the Giants would have given up something more than cash. We all believe Farhan has done a great job with this team & farm. Need to draft some pitching, but the future does look bright. Pray that Cueto & Gausman have great starts and move both of them. #GoGiantsGo
Hoping the best for Estrada, with all he’s been through.
Hard kid not to root for, @Joe.
I’m pissed and peeved, because my preference has always been Estrada over Wade. It should be Tyler instead of Thairo, sold to the Giants today for ca$h.
Thairo was a fan favorite in NY. Did well through AA but hasn’t really progressed offensively since getting shot and has become sort of injury prone. Reality is he failed to displace Wade as the 5th INF the last 3 years and is not as fast as wade or as versatile defensively. I was really hoping regular AAA at bats would give him one last shot but it will have to be in SF
@StudWinfield- I can’t believe you feel that “No hit all glove” Tyler Wade is a better player then Thairo Estrada? Lol. To each his own. It should be Wade going to SF today not Estrada. Smh. Be careful what you wish for my fellow Yankee fan. If you like Wade because he is faster then Estrada? Ok. Not me.
I think thairo’s upside is better than wades but he hasn’t hit either. And both are done with options after this season. Holder, Peraza, Duran and maybe smith will be the new young INF group later this season or next.
I’m glad the Giants had the good sense to keep John Barr. He’s a hall of fame scout and smart baseball guy.
I think Estrada is a solid player and sorry to see him leave. I’m surprised the Rangers didn’t have a interest.
If the Yankees are getting cash back does that money get them under the tax threshold more? So the Yankees can possibly add someone significant at the Trade deadline? Apparently every penny counts for the Yankees.
@mlbnyyfan- no my friend, because the Yankees were already underneath the luxury tax anyway. But still an excellent question. According to the Sports Weekly the Yankees payroll is under $200 million, where the Dodgers and Mets are past that. LA is the only team right now over the luxury tax, so they will be taxed and maybe even lose draft picks.
@Yankees 4 life thanks for checking. I was just curious. Definitely going to be a frustrating season because they continue to go with the same lineup. The Yankees are going to win a lot of games but I hate to admit they are a boring team. The Yankees are not fun to watch and very predictable.
Dodgers already reset in 2019. Yankees, Cubs and Astros are looking to reset this year and not have draft picks dropped.
Very predictable and they compile runs against bad pitching. Any tough series they are in you worry about their defense and lack of clutch hitting. They are very predictable.
No. If so, that’s an easy way to manipulate payroll for the sake of luxury tax purposes.
Who would win a homerun derby between these sluggers:
1. Glenallen Hill
2. Hard Hittin Mark Whitten
3. Geronimo Berroa
4. Claudel Washington
My vote is Hill
But how much cash?
The Giants have $100M coming off the books the end of this season. Only Evan Longoria will return from the IF. Thairo Estrada should make an outstanding starting SS next season. I really don’t understand the Giant fans angst.
The expectation from the fan base is that Giants are going to be in on the big fish FAs at SS this offseason. Seriously doubt they’d slot Estrada in as a starter; he is a depth acquisition or another “swiss army knife” guy.
There’s a small cabal of Giants fans who think Zaidi intends to just keep shuffling through roster moves forever, but for the most part, the expectation is to spend big in the offseason. A top flight SS is going to be a priority.
I think most of the angst is from 1 or 2 guys, if Zaidi likes him I am excited to see what he can do and if he doesn’t stun, it is just cash and depth but at this point I trust the scouts and FO to make good or interesting more under the radar moves, certainly good utility depth doesn’t block a big signing in the near future
The Yankees gave him away for cash so that should speak of Estrada’s projected value. I think it’s ridiculous to anoint him as a starting SS since he’s never been viewed more than an average utility player. No way should Estrada prevent the Giants from making a big SS splash next season.
@YankeeBleacherCreature- that’s what makes Estrada so special he wouldn’t prevent the Giants from getting one of those big named premier shortstops. Thairo could play some 2nd and 3rd when called upon. The Giants will love this team lst kid. An excellent move for them.
“That’s what makes Estrada so special he wouldn’t prevent the Giants from getting one of the big name premier shortstops.”
So…he”s a good pickup by the Giants because he’s actually not very good? I don’t think that’s how competent MLB GM’s think, man.
Perhaps you are correct. I kind of doubt that as it turns out Cash had to literally give this kid away. Zero other GM’s agree with your assessment of Thairo. Again, with all due respect this looks like nothing more than some form of MAD ONLINE!, kinda stuff.
I’m not convinced Estrada is not a starter. He wasn’t given much of a chance in NYY. However, I am convinced he’s an upgrade on the SFG roster.
He’s not a starter. Look at his minor league stats. Useful player, but not a starter.
@Ducky Buckin Fent- sorry man no faith in Ca$hman anymore. Why? When was our last championship? 2009. That’s a long time! As far as Estrada let’s stop pretending he’s not better then Wade, that’s my point. Am I overrating Thairo? Probably. Nice to beat Dunedin yesterday. Hopefully now that shuts their fans up for a while, who think they can win with Ryu, Roark and Matz in their starting rotation. If Cole gets hurt and has to have TJS, I still think the Yankees will be better then the Jays in the AL East.
Swiss army knife.
Got shot in Venezuela, and Doctors botched years ago.
NYY fan here, wish him well! https://www.nj.com/yankees/2019/02/yankees-prospect-who-got-shot-details-finally-getting-bullet-removed-6-months-later.html
Looks like it’s working grand slam tonight.