Free agent reliever Ken Giles threw a bullpen session in front of Padres officials at their Arizona complex today, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link). Whether that has resulted or will lead to an offer isn’t known, though Heyman adds that Giles plans to continue throwing twice a week until he lands with a club.
Now 32, Giles is a few years removed from his 2014-19 peak. He was one of the sport’s best late-inning weapons between the Phillies, Astros and Blue Jays. Over that six-year stretch, the hard-throwing righty combined for a 2.67 ERA while striking out a third of batters faced and limiting opponents to a .215/.276/.331 line. Giles remained at the top of his game for the Jays in 2019, tossing 53 frames of 1.87 ERA ball with a strikeout rate just under 40%.
Arm injuries have unfortunately intervened over the past few seasons. Giles was limited to just four outings during the shortened 2020 campaign. That season culminated in Tommy John surgery, from which he spent all of the following year recovering. Giles signed a two-year contract with the Mariners over the 2020-21 offseason. Seattle hoped he’d regain his excellent form in the second season of that deal but didn’t give him much of a look once he returned to health. The M’s released Giles after just five appearances.
While he caught on with the Giants on a minor league contract shortly thereafter, his stint with San Francisco proved exceedingly brief. Giles threw three times for their top minor league affiliate in a span of a week before being released. He didn’t sign elsewhere during the season. He’s returned to the mound this month, throwing for interested teams as he looks for a new landing spot.
Giles seems likely to be limited to minor league offers with Spring Training invitations at this stage of the offseason. He’s one of a handful of interesting relief fliers who remains available via free agency. Corey Knebel and Zack Britton are also former star relievers looking to rebound from recent injury issues.
Nothing wrong with kicking the tires…
Friars still looking to Better their pitching.
Let’s get it!
Giles is like a cat he has 9 lives. Besides he pitched in 5 games last year with a 0.00 ERA. I’m actually shocked no one has given him an offer.
Worth a look. Like to see him get a call from Rick Hahn.
Instead they invited Brain Shaw. Guess he cost 50k less…….. cheap p#%€~£
I have no idea what word you were self-censoring. And your choice of letter substitutions makes me irrationally angry.
Don’t be such a p#%€~£, Beans!
You wouldn’t call me a p#%€~£ to my p#%€~£.
8 years/$175 million. Get it done.
6 or 7 opt-outs? Quick, the ink is drying!!
If Giles is healthy and has close to his peak FB velocity teams would be crazy not to take a flier on him.
Speaking of which — once related via trade — I’m completely baffled as to why Roberto Osuna isn’t in the MLB. I get he had that domestic violence situation but then he came back and played for another 2+ seasons after. He was good, and since has been dominant in other leagues… he’s still young, all teams need relief help and he’s capable of being elite.
The only thing that makes sense is that beyond his actual previous legal issues he’s also an a-hole or just downright bad guy… otherwise it’s just shocking.
For the record I am NOT OKAY with domestic violence/abuse etc. but I’m also not usually one to believe an athlete should NEVER get a second chance. And in Osuna’a case… he came back, played (well) for a couple years then disappeared again.
Do we ever hear anything about him trying to get back into MLB?
I get kicking tires, but the Pads bullpen is already 10 deep. Pass
Split contract, start the season in EP ‘pen!
Ken Giles calling the Padres front office “p#%€~£” as he makes in the the EP ‘pen
If Giles is healthy and still has his heater then he would be a great addition to any major league club. I’m guessing he just got healthy enough to start throwing showcases for teams, otherwise he would have already signed with a team like KC, Wash, Pitt, Oak, etc. as a possible mid season trade chip.
JJ in KC isn’t smart enough to sign a bloke like Ken Giles.
Eh why not. He’s a living free agent, of course the Padres are interested
Padres on the 60-man roster plan like the Mets are?
Why not? He could add some much needed punch to the Padres’ bullpen.
The Padres are in on every single baseball player who is a free agent
I think AJ needs to step away from the punch bowl…
If Giles can get back anywhere close to his peak form, he would make a very nice set-up option for Hader and also perhaps a spot opener. Depth in the bullpen is never a bad TV big when you’re roster is tooled to win a pennant.
If he’s still punching himself in the face he could at least provide some entertainment for a team not expected to win much
Dude has had a very up and down career. Literally goes from an ERA in the high 4’s to one of two or under the next. Obviously a long shot, but you never know. Padres will score enough runs to be fine with or without him!