The Mariners have acquired right-hander Easton McGee from the Red Sox for cash considerations, according to announcements from both teams.
McGee, who turns 25 next month, was originally selected to a big league roster for the first time about six weeks ago, yet is now in his third organization already. A 2016 draft pick of the Rays, he was added to Tampa’s roster at the end of September but quickly designated for assignment after a single appearance. He was claimed by the Red Sox on the final day of the regular season and didn’t get a chance to pitch for them. Though Boston won’t get any contributions from McGee on the field, they will at least get some Seattle cash out of the deal.
McGee has never been a huge strikeout artist but has often succeeded in the minors by inducing a lot of ground balls. His grounder rate has been around 45-50% in most of his minor league seasons, though it dropped to 39.6% over 107 2/3 Triple-A innings in 2022. That led to McGee posting an ERA of 5.43 on the year, though he’d been better than that in previous campaigns. Another thing he has going for him is control, as he’s never posted a walk rate above 4.8%, apart from his rookie ball debut. For reference, the MLB average in 2022 was 8.2%. McGee still has a full slate of options, meaning the Mariners can keep him stashed in the minors as a depth option for the foreseeable future.
He is now Weston McGee.
Honestly, as a Sox fan, I’ve never heard of this guy.
He’s not on any sox top prospect list…
Oh, I know, just surprised I hadn’t seen much else.
Well, the Sox only claimed him off waivers from the Rays on October 5th, so not much time in the organisation in Boston
He did have 1 SO in Tampa this season.
Pwndroia – McGee was claimed off waivers from the Rays October 5th, and would have been AAA filler if he could have been demoted unclaimed. Bloom & Co. got some cash for their efforts, and a needed 40-man spot was opened for Rule 5 adds:
Brandon Walter
Ceddanne Rafaela
Thaddeus Ward
Enmanuel Valdez
Chris Murphy
Wilyer Abreu
…and possibly other who are far more value to the organization than McGee. There are more players that need to be traded, waived,
Should have dfa’d RPs Reed, Braiser, Taylor or Hamilton, Chang before trading away McGee to open a roster spot.
I would keep Josh Taylor and I think they may protect David Hamilton from the Rule 5 Draft. He finished strong and had 70 stolen bases.
Should have dfa’d RPs Reed, Braiser, Taylor or Hamilton, Chang before trading away McGee to open a roster spot.
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Interesting opinion. What makes you such a big fan of McGee?
Lol. Same but they are scraping money together for Xander.
How does something like this work? Does a GM actually say “You know what this team needs? A guy like Easton McGee!” and everyone in the office oohs and ahhs, one says “No way we’ll be able to get him”. Or do the Sox call the Mariners and say “You want this guy? We don’t”.
He was likely DFAed, at which point he can be traded. Him being DFAed brought him to the Mariners attention
I’ve learned over the last few years to trust this front office when it comes to these types. They don’t always work out but I’ve seen them turn many guys around that no one thought anything about
Dirt – Those players will be non-tendered in short order. The Rule 5 players need to be added in the next few weeks. Brasier made $1,400,000 this year and would be arbitration eligible, so he is gone. Chang gone too as well as the last 2 waiver claims.
Bloom:
Top priority: Bogaerts
What we get:
James Paxton exercise player option
Refsnyder avoids arbitration
Red Sox trade Easton McGee to Mariners
Whitlock to be starter
Just warming up I suppose.
Pax and Haniger plus Lewis…the M’s contribution to the list of players that we like but we know they will never produce again.