3:15PM: The Giants announced the trade to reporters, including Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area, with minor league righty Raynel Espinal going the other way. The 30-year-old made his MLB debut last year, logging just two innings for the Red Sox. The Giants signed him to a minor league deal for this year, with Espinal working as a starter in Triple-A. In 19 games, he has thrown 81 1/3 innings with a 5.29 ERA. He has an impressive 27.6% strikeout rate for the year but below-average walk and ground ball rates of 10.3% and 39%.
As expected, Thairo Estrada was placed on the concussion IL to make room for Machado on the active roster, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com was among those to relay. To make room on the 40-man roster, righty Tobias Myers was designated for assignment. Myers began the season with the Guardians but went to the Giants in a trade earlier this month. Between the two clubs, he’s thrown 63 innings in Triple-A this year with a 6.14 ERA.
2:42PM: The Giants have officially acquired Machado, Morosi reports. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers adds the interesting detail that Machado requested a trade, likely in order to land on a team that could offer him big league playing time.
2:09PM: The Giants are looking to acquire infielder Dixon Machado from the Cubs, as MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (Twitter link) reports that the two sides are in talks. It isn’t known if this could be part of a larger multi-player swap, or if Machado would be the primary player involved.
It is quite possible it could be a cash-considerations type of minor move, as Machado hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2018. The Giants are also in particular need of shortstop help, as injuries have drastically thinned out their shortstop depth chart at both the Major and minor league levels. Brandon Crawford is on the 10-day injured list recovering from a knee injury, while Thairo Estrada was hit in the head by a pitch yesterday and is expected to be placed on the seven-day concussion IL.
After appearing in 172 games with the Tigers from 2015-18, Machado has since played with the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in both 2019 and 2022, with two seasons with the KBO League’s Lotte Giants sandwiched in between. Over those four years, Machado posted some solid averages and developed a knack for getting on base, even if his power was sporadic at best (though he did hit 17 home runs during the homer-happy 2019 Triple-A season).
This year at Triple-A Iowa, Machado has hit .312/.402/.394 with two homers and 10 steals (in 13 chances) over 391 plate appearances. While Machado has played as a shortstop for the vast majority of his pro career, the 30-year-old has also seen some action at second and third base, making him a good fit for the Giants’ preferred model of versatile players.
DarkSide830
STOVE IS ON FIRE
Ham Fighter
Ouch it’s hot
Redwolves3
Zaidi must be really desperate when he gets a Machado who asked Cubs to trade him so he could get ML playing time. Machado must have looked at Giants roster (especially after Estrada put on concussion protocol) and thought he’d be a perfect fit for Giants. More Zaidi dumpster diving!
TonyGwynnSD19
The San Francisco Giants. LOL
Redwolves3
Machado reaches base on 2nd at bat … HBP
Redwolves3
3rd at bat Machado gets first hit as Giant. Zaidi is a genius. Lol
GarryHarris
Just yesterday the word was the Giants were sellers.
Alkie
I traded $4.50 for a sandwich. Same level of intensity and relevance.
gmenfan
… and the meat seemed a little funky and they forgot the mayo.
Bryzzo2016
It seemed a lil funky w/o the mayo? Interesting, usually the mayo is main funk factor culprit. As a Cubs fan, the sandwich trade is more compelling.
Sadler
Where can you find a sandwich for $4.50?
rct
Gas stations.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Did that include an oil change?
gmenfan
Seems like that dumpster should be getting pretty close to empty by now, right?
Dumpster Divin Theo
You rang, sir?
Tacoshells
He won’t fetch more than a bag of giants saltwater taffy
LFGMets (Metsin7)
That dumpster is raging hot
Redwolves3
If that’s all Zaidi can do he definitely needs to be FIRED!!!
miltpappas
He was told to “get Machado”. It was a communication error.
giantsphan12
Machado is the missing piece! This is so exciting!
Dumpster Divin Theo
They’re picking up Trevor Tatis next.
fred-3
Farhan is allergic to making big moves either way
myaccount2
The Kris Bryant trade wasn’t big? Signing Carlos Rodon wasn’t big?
fred-3
Rodon effectively signed a one year contract to re-build his value. I don’t think that classifies as big.
Bryant was, but they ended up letting him leave in free agency.
gmenfan
Given what Colorado gave to Bryant, it was a feather in Farhan’s cap letting him walk.
Redwolves3
Zaidi has become the laughing stock among Giants fans.
TonyGwynnSD19
@Redwolves3 …..Not just Giants fans
TonyGwynnSD19
@Redwolves3 Not just Giants fans
disadvantage
@tony You should probably say it a few more times – I don’t think your point came through.
gravel
Among the mouth breathing Giants fans.
ARC 2
Why not just pick up somebody off waivers?
For Love of the Game
Machado will probably be traded for the famous Cash Considerations, not a valuable prospect
goob
This is a stopgap move. It would not prevent them from doing what you suggested, if somebody they like better pops up in the days ahead. The guy the Giants gave up to make this move is of little consequence.
lgrunner34
The missing piece of the puzzle, WS in sight after this move!
lgrunner34
The missing puzzle piece!
IHLgulls
This has been such a boring, disappointing hot stove.
desertbull
Thanks to Soto/Nats gumming up the gears
Henry Silvestre
This deadline about to be the worst ever!… biggest name left to be traded by Tuesday is going to be Joe “freaking El Pollo” Gallo
mgomrjsurf
If bigger Trade Giants not Sellers then.
Adolpho67
If you judge every trade deadline two says early they all would be “worst ever”!
Dumpster Divin Theo
You can say that again
Adolpho67
If you judge every trade deadline two says early they all would be “worst ever”
Dumpster Divin Theo
Deja view
Adolpho67
If you judged every trade deadline two days early they would all be considered worst ever!
RoastGobot
What do you think would happen if one judged every trade deadline early please enlighten us x3
Adolpho67
I would call the trade deadline the worst ever!
I would call the trade deadline the worst ever!
I would call the trade deadline the worst ever!
mgomrjsurf
Why still have intill Tuesday 6pm EC to make deals.
nmendoza7
Minor league deals and waiver claims, Farhan is so overrated.
iverbure
You say that last year? It’s comical baseball fans think gm need to sign big named players and make trades every week to be good gms, when in reality the ones who draft well, don’t panic and make flashy moves (to appease the simpletons like yourself) and bring in cheap players who cost very little are the best gms.
RoastGobot
Hard to argue w that considering Harper and the Phillies aren’t world beaters and story is injured those are the last two big name players giants fans really wanted. Also some of them wanted to resign Bryant which woulda been nasty also
tedtheodorelogan
Dumpster diving might make him look smart when it works out, but it certainly doesn’t win rings.
Dumpster Divin Theo
It won my multiple rings. Jonny Gomes and David Rossi say hi.
Redwolves3
Zaidi is a JOKE
Henry Silvestre
Low key if SF is selling Yaztremski could be a nice piece for someone looking for CF help
Nevrfolow
It’s not the time for this, Farhan
RoastGobot
This is the missing piece can’t you see
robert-5
My sources tell me Harrison heading back to Cubs in return. Deal may be expanded to include Michael Hermosillo for Webb. More to come!
WeeWillie
Seems fair
Inside Out
Wait Giants, Didi G. is available for nothing.
msqboxer
This low hanging is already on the ground…
Tacoshells
It’s official. They had to enlist a third team to help make the trade work. A dodger dog going the other way.
PaulSimon
I thought it said Manny Machado and thought, finally the Pads do it
Gwynning
The Giants wish haha
giantsbaseball415
I give up
JimmyForum
I used to have a giants hat that I got at a thrift shop. You could really smell the pervious owners sent when it got warm. Those are the moments that matter in life.
Tacoshells
Good times
Jean Matrac
Since the previous owner was pervious, was the problem that he leaked into the cap?
JimmyForum
If you know, you know
goob
@JimmyForum
I sense that you’re impervious to scent – while thinking you’re on the sent.
Central Valley
Is Carlos Rodon going to get get pulled from his scheduled start later this afternoon?
goob
Wondering the same. I hope so. It’s time to punt and reload and he’s their best rental commodity – a very valuable asset – who’d interest a whole lot of contenders.
PaulSimon
No way buddy i laugh at this
Giants78
Looks like a last showcase to buyers before 8/2 deadline.
goob
And as it turned out, one hell of a final showcase: 7 shutout innings w/10 K.
CALgoldenBears
There is no Soto in Machado
tacohole
Can someone check the pilot light? I think it’s out.
tacohole
Can someone check the pilot light?
Sfgiants4l
This is just an emergency move due to injury lol why everyone acting like this was supposed to be a serious move
Giants78
Like a 3 alarm fire emergency! The guys is in the lineup tonight though he hasn’t played in the majors since 2018.
Sfgiants4l
Yeah craw is out, thairo just went down last night, and the triple A options are also injured. They needed an immediate fill that can just play true SS. You expect them to trade for a solid SS in a pinch?
Yanks2
Who?
Four4fore
Nothing from nothing leaves nothing.
Bigpoppapuff_34
Another big bat off the market..
Giants78
Dixon Machado was not on my bingo card.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Machado is in the Giants lineup already.
albhakta@gmail.com 2
Giants are a AAA TEAM
Redwolves3
Better go 4-4 with 4 homers to make Zaidi look like a genius.
Jake1972
Who?
sadmarinersfan
I need some trades with mlb guys not fringe 40 man guys. Yesterday we had like 4 trades and I was hoping we would at least have 1 or 2 trades to day
Manfred’s playing with the balls
Couldn’t crack the Cubs roster so they sent him to the Giants? Ouch. Says a lot about the shape of the team in SF
bwmiller
Cubs have some infield depth with Nico Hoerner, and Nick Madrigal, they have a few good infield prospects including Ed Howard a former first round pick out of high school, 2020 I believe and Christopher Morel has surprised this season, but Machado looks like a good fit on the Giants, good defender with good speed, if he can keep the strikeouts down he could stick at SS.
albhakta@gmail.com 2
Giants needs to become seller and become younger.
bwmiller
Good trade, Giants are making smart moves, they got Yermin off waivers and he is on the verge of being top notch DH, Yermin has a great swing from the right hand side, he swings it like Trout albeit with a little leg kick, but that short swing of his is nice. Giants also got Luis Gonzalez from the White Sox, he has been their best OF, and they got Rodon on a fair deal, be interesting to see if Rodon signs on with Yermin around.
Pedro 4 Delino
Sounds like you’re smoking copium. Comparing Yermin to Mike Trout gave me a little chuckle though. Thanks for the laugh
bwmiller
Look at their swings, Yermin may not have the bat to ball skills but their swings are similar. Yermin has been taking walks, watch out for Yermin when he starts honing in on the strike zone.
bwmiller
They even have the same leg kick, it’s uncanny really. Trout keeps his shoulders more square to the plate, Yermin turns his shoulders a little more when he is loading up and engaging the pitch, which could affect his timing a bit but very similar swings. I say that bodes well for Yermin and the Giants. Hope he sticks with the Giants he seems like a good fit out there.
semut
LOLLLLLLLLLL
ohyeadam
But why though?
chrcritter
so this is the big deal of the day
mgomrjsurf
Days nof over yet.
warnbeeb
Dixon Machado? The ez-Tiger? Who’s next? Anthony Gose?
JayRyder
Yay !!!
Redwolves3
Machado making Zaidi look like a joke. First at bat as a Giant … 4 pitches and a lunging swing strike 3.
Jean Matrac
Machado was acquired because of the injuries on the IF. I doubt he’ll be on the ML roster when Crawford and Estrada come back. Was FZ supposed to spend valuable assets for a temporary guy? Plus, forming a decision based on one AB, makes it look like you started following baseball earlier today.
disadvantage
Calling FZ a joke because a player, who is a stopgap player he acquired as a warm body that could cover the middle infield to deal with a depleted roster, struck out is a super good take.
semut
For once I agree with the guy who always says “LOL the Giants”
Jean Matrac
Funny how so many people get so upset about a very minor deal made to address a temporary situation. Seems like a it’s misdirected frustration over the way the Giants are playing. Had this happened in June, when they were 10 games over .500, it gets very little attention. Certainly not the level of vitriol in some posts. Way to keep things in perspective.
TonyGwynnSD19
But they’re not 10 games above .500 They’re UNDER.500 and Suckasss
Farhan Zaidi built an Old, Slow and Boring under .500 roster
disadvantage
Thank you for this. People are treating this like a win now move, or like Farhan thinks he will be the next Fernando Tatis Jr, when in reality the Giants middle infield is depleted, and he probably represented the best Major League ready (or at the very least, Major League adjacent) player they could get cheap and quickly, and be a warm body. Did they expect FZ to go out and acquire a win now player when the team is below .500??? Heck, the Braves are fresh off a World Series and are looking pretty good this year, so are doing something right, are running Robinson Cano out there, so you could clearly do a lot worse.
Gwynning
Sorry disadvantage, I didn’t see your retort before I posted below. Well said by both of yas!
Gwynning
As usual, the level-headedness and honest portrayal from tad2b13 to nail it all down. Nothing much to add here except SD kinda felt the same thing earlier this season with Cano. We just needed a warm body to man a position for a couple weeks and people thought the moon was falling. Heck, SD even parlayed Cano into a trade chip. Love your posts tad, be well amigos y amigas!
guynamedchris
I have a feeling that the Giants will make some smart moves over the next couple of days that will feel very underwhelming to most fans, but will actually make the team better and result in more wins.
And people will call for Zaidi to get fired because they didn’t land Soto. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
VirginiaGiant
It’s because the anonymity of the internet allows people to use their inner a-hole.
Politics, sports, wherever, the internet absolves the need to show one ounce of common decency and intelligence.
gmenfan
Umm, I’m pretty certain that TonyGwynnSD19 has an outie a-hole.
justme
This is sadly funny…the baseball trade deadline was the one thing mlb had that was better then any other sport and they went and screwed with it and messed that all up.
R Austen
Why is this a story – Dixon is a -1.1 WAR player with a .579 OPS – he should be traded for a bag of baseballs.
PaulSimon
So a guy playing well for a couple of season in Korea. Coming back playing well in triple a, not able to play on the major league roster because of Horner and some other guys. people want to talk about the “rays way” or the “cardinals way”, here is an instance of the giants way, love the move for them, think Mauricio dubon.
phenomenalajs
If you are a Giant fan reading the article without looking at the headline and see: “The Giants have officially acquired Machado,” you underpants are probably brown right now.
gmenfan
To be fair, they were already brown from watching this team’s defense all year.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
So are the Giants the Red Sox of the NL West or are the Red Sox the Giants of the AL East?
jsaldi
The Giants didn’t have a minor league prospect they could of called up?
86mets
The trade that will bust the flood gates wide open! Now there will be tons of trades today now that Dixon Machado has been traded. LOL
Bravo
GAMECHANGER! This team never had a chance. Belt and Longoria were injured at the end of LAST season, and they had the same injuries coming to camp for spring training. How is that possible?
But the more telling reason is the Giants did not get any help with bats during the off-season.. THEY did not reinvest about 75-80 million. Other teams did.. I said at the beginning of the year FZ was still standing when the music stopped. He’s still standing.
Central Valley
Trade everyone of value please, with the exception of Webb and Doval. They must get younger, the farm isn’t producing MLB ready talent.
Don’t use “we’re going to chase the 3rd wildcard spot” as a shiny object to momentarily distract the fans. This roster isn’t built to contend with the powerhouses of the league.