The Giants announced they’ve acquired outfielder AJ Pollock, utility player Mark Mathias and cash considerations from the Mariners. Seattle receives a player to be named later or cash in return. San Francisco optioned Mathias to Triple-A, placed Mike Yastrzemski on the 10-day injured list, and transferred right-hander John Brebbia to the 60-day injured list in corresponding moves.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweeted this afternoon that San Francisco was among the teams looking for right-handed hitting. They add a pair of righty bats in this trade, although neither is necessarily a surefire offensive upgrade.
Mathias, whom the Mariners acquired off waivers from the Pirates earlier this month, departs the organization without ever joining the big league roster. The 28 year old offers experience all around the diamond, though he has primarily played second and third base throughout his career. Initially drafted by Cleveland in the third round of the 2015 draft, Mathias has bounced around the league since making his big league debut with Milwaukee in 2020, with stints in Pittsburgh and Texas over the past calendar year.
In 68 career games at the big league level, Mathias’s .249/.323/.402 slash line is good for a slightly above average wRC+ of 104, though that overall line is primarily carried by an excellent 24-game stretch with the Rangers where he slashed a whopping .277/.365/.554 in 74 trips to the plate. While the journeyman has yet to stick in the big leagues for a significant period of time, that hot stretch in Texas and a career slash line of .289/.383/.458 at the Triple-A level indicate Mathias has the potential to be a useful big league utility piece.
The veteran Pollock, 35, has struggled considerably to this point in the season, slashing a brutal .173/.225/.323 in 138 plate appearances. He’ll provide the Giants with outfield depth as they look to weather injuries to Mitch Haniger and Yastrzemski, the latter of whom is expected to miss a couple weeks with a left hamstring strain.
Pollock had mashed left-handed pitching as recently as a season ago. He provides an outfield rotation option and experienced clubhouse presence alongside the presumptive starting group of Michael Conforto, Luis Matos, and Austin Slater, at least while Yastrzemski gets healthy.
The Mariners continue to move some short-term players following this afternoon’s trade of closer Paul Sewald to Arizona. The player to be named headed back to Seattle figures to be a relatively minor piece. Of greater import is that San Francisco might be taking on some of Pollock’s $7MM salary. The precise amount of the cash being sent from Seattle to the Giants remains unreported. Pollock is owed around $2.33MM through season’s end, at which point he’ll be a free agent.
Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the Giants were finalizing a deal for Pollock and Mathias. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reported the M’s could receive a player to be named later.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Mathias of all people? Wow…
Stole him from ya only to flip him for more.. similar to nicky lopez/taylor hearn trade, I hope
Stole him from us? How about we were more than happy to give him to you
The hype of Mathias being a good hitter was a complete joke
Oh we stole him from ya. You might not want him but hopefully the return we get from him and pollock together will be something desirable. I unfortunately can’t see any sane GM willing to give up much of value for those two right now.
Well thats an incredible return that I’m sure everybody will be jealous of.
Yeah I’m envious
thanks for the laugh
Trader Jerry tearing it down today
I wouldn’t say trading AJ Pollock is tearing it down. This is more addition by subtraction. I’m sure the M’s are paying the rest of his contract to even get a C-Level prospect
This is a trade about clearing roster place. The 40 man was full and in the Sewald trade they need to add 2 of the 3 players to the 40 so this allows them to complete that trade.
I was hoping to see AJ Pollock go away.
Now we may see Canzone or Rojas in a game very soon.
They will both likely be on the roster for Seattle right away.
Pollock has been awful this year and is gone at season’s end. This is cutting dead weight, not tearing it down.
Especially when he was only supposed to platoon.
I assume it is a mike ford-esque thing. The mariners are the temp services for the giants lol
I really hope he does tear it down. We face the Mariners four times this week.
Pollock is batting .173 and has a negative 0.4 WAR. What’s the point of this trade
To fill the required trade allotment.
to get another ex-dodger – cause nothing else makes sense
LOL!!!
Clear 40 man spots.
Probably get a lottery ticket back from mariners perspective
From giants perspective they’re probably adding platoon bats or something.
it is injuries – the team is a man down with yaz pulling another hammy so you put in a guy who should be able to be a body that you aren’t worried about dumping off the 25 and 40 man. Haniger is fully healed and should be starting a rehab assignment so I wouldn’t expect pollock to be around for long.
With Pollock, they’re just looking for a few good men.
I like what you did there. I can handle the truth.
Salary roster dump for dreaming on making Mathias useful.
Someone please check to make sure Scott Harris is still alive?
He is in Detroit and has been the president of baseball operations there since last offseason. The giants GM is Pete Putila who came over to replace Harris from the Astros.
Why these guys suck
Well this is underwhelming.
I’m assuming this is for a bucket of used balls and some chewing gum….
Only if it’s a pouch of grape Big League Chew.
I’d take that in a heartbeat. I love Big League Chew
No bag of sunflower seeds and 2 glizzys
What’s a glizzy?
Lol OK then. I don’t see the point of this one.
Joey bart maybe?
Ship tom murphy get a decent return?
Giants NO
They both suck!!
Look on the bright side,Giants could have Vogelbach.
He’s not a bad player if used correctly. Has a great eye and some good pop off the bench. He’s no starter like he turned into with the brewers and Mets
Does Nothing for Me. But again, I don’t think they view this year as the go all in year. Marco is still young. Matos. A few of the infielders. Still have Crawford taking a spot. The first basemen is injury prone. The hitters are hot and cold. Tons of Ks. And they definitely would need a front line starter to go far int he postseason which they don’t have. Webb is good. But he wouldn’t be considered front line. Also Harrison isn’t ready.
They still need another season. Next year 2024 I think has always been the projected year of title contention. Just takes time. But the team Wins games. They are doing good things. Keep doing em. And keep building. Not to mention the business aspect. Teams win via dollars, even when they don’t win it all. And the Giants Print Money.
Hard disagree that Webb is not a frontline starter. He ranks #13 in MLB in fWAR this year among Starting Pitchers. Ranked #14 last year. He may not be THE best pitcher in the game, but he ranks among the best, for sure. Rewatch his 2021 playoff starts if you think he can’t handle big games.
Thanks Chris 🙂
Webb is one of the best pitchers in the league over the last 3 years. Anyone could fit him on the roster, even the Braves and Rangers.
your other comments about the Giants owners and executives enriching themselves seem out of place. they are incredibly wealthy, and they don’t spend money on star level players. It’s the sad reality of being a giants fan now. Either those rookies deny the odds and produce 2-3 actual all stars, or it’s going to be a long long time before the Giants play in a WS again.
Giants must be getting a Prospect for taking on Pollock ?
Nope, just Mark Mathias who I’m pretty sure was a waiver claim earlier this year from PIT if I’m not mistaken. A full lawn bag of dirty diapers left to ripen in the sun for 3 days is headed back to SEA, and even that was an overpay.
They traded a reliever prospect with good splitter zero control. Dfa trade.
Hits lefties. Giants need the balance with Wade, Yastrzemski, and Pederson all struggling against same sided pitching.
My guy, check his splits this year. He’s literally swinging and missing at a barn this year
Yeah, last year he was crushing LHP, but this year he’s actually worse against lefties. Maybe the Giants see something they can quick fix?
Doubt we get anything for him, surprised anyone even wanted pollock
Pollock? Oh gawd. Zaidi’s making big moves again bringing in a 35 year old , injury prone negative WAR guy…Haha
Yankees are in last place while you troll.
Thank you gfan 🙂
Yup.
Yankees are officially cellar dweller sellers.
WHAT?! two chumps one well past prime and should be retired and the other a nothing player…..so curious what they gave up for chumps to take TWO roster spots
Fire Farhan
SF Giants WORLD SERIES BOUND. Lol
Pat Burrell was hitting .202 when he was DFA’d and we acquired him. He hit 18HRs for us and we won the world series. We beat the Phillies in the NLCS, if you recall..
It’s not all about BA. Pollock is toast. He’ll be gone in a few days
Okay, fine. Burrell was hitting .202/.292/.333 when DFA’d and hit .266 .364/.509 for the Giants and we won the world series. Put some Vegemite on that toast.
I’m guessing the M’s are paying a portion of Pollock’s salary because he’s waiver wire material.
Ivar’s really missed out on a great endorsement with Pollock…
Too funny! He’s playing like a dead fish this year.
Best fish n chips I’ve ever had in my life was the Ivar’s in Mulketeo while waiting for the ferry to Whidby Island .
I know that Ivar’s well! My wife and I were married at the Mukilteo lighthouse in 2006! Great food, great view!
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a team in the race make additions to try to get worse.
Did you miss the Dodgers trading for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly?
” Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly?”
I thought initially that must’ve been a misprint. Sounded more like something you’d expect the LA Angels to do not the Dodgers.
I’m confused why two guys with proven track record are a bad pickup for next to nothing going the other way. As much as I hate the dodgers, that was a deft move
Prelander Berroa 2.0!
Giants could have waited til next day when they would go on waivers and pick them up.
Good point. And perhaps signed them to Minor League contracts instead of wasting Roster spots on them.
If they don’t give up much, what is the difference?
Guess they need more guys with negative war. Schmidt must be getting sad being the only guy with an ops below 600 now that Wisely got sent back down. Jesus. Does Farthands even know they are in a playoff race?
Farthands. My oh my. Are you 13 ?
So juvenile that it gave me a good chuckle. That’s not nothing. 🙂
Same. I’m still laughing. It’s come from a dude that has indicated he is 40 plus. Hilarious. Self incrimination does not come any better than that.
When will this team stop making moves w the mariners
Mathias an upgrade over….rookie Wisley? Pollock is a roster dumb, obviously….right?
how is he an upgrade? He has no power potential. at least Wisely has hit in the minors.
This is nothing. just another 10 day farhan dumpster dive to cover for injuries. neither guy will finish the season in the org, unless I am missing something and Mathias did not necessitate a 40 man add, but I think he did. So… don’t expect to see them succeed or even stick around. Just movement for movement’s sake. Silly… they could have just brough up Ramos if they wanted someone who is a RH outfielder who likely won’t hit much down the stretch.
I was implying he is not an upgrade over anyone on the major league roster, even Wisely who has struggled hitting in SF. My view is like yours, this seems to be a meaningless trade and another major disappointment from a fans point of view.
An all new term, “roster dumb”, has entered the baseball lexicon. May it last forever – long live roster dumb!
I mean, if they don’t give up much, what is the difference?
Hope Giants give them Manea he stinks too
Except not really, though. Since taking him out of the rotation, he’s been good:
44.2 IP, 11 BB, 54 K, 4.03 ERA, 2.16 FIP.
He was excellent in their win over the Red Sox the other night.
So are the Giants just telling Ohtani right now to not join their club next off-season? What a joke. For the love of God, get rid of Farhan.
What exactly do you want Farhan to do? There’s no one on the market who is a major upgrade to the current roster. Trading away top prospects for big names is out of the question.
Honestly, Mathias intrigues me more than any of the other mediocre infielders that everyone else has been suggesting (Tim Anderson, Dejong, Kike Hernandez for goodness sakes). Seems he’s hit pretty well in the minors and decently enough in limited times in the majors, and he can play several different positions.
Don’t know what to say about Pollock though.
Chris-maybe Pollack is just here to hit lefties until Haniger is back in a couple of weeks or end of month
I don’t see him having ” hit well” in the minors at all outside of a couple of short stretches. Certainly no better than Wisely.
I just don’t understand when I see comments like this. I wish I could be positive about non-positive things too still I guess. those were the days
.299/.405/.427 this year in AAA.
.322/.422/.518 last year in AAA.
Seems like he hit well enough to me. I didn’t say he was putting up Barry Bonds numbers did I? I obviously don’t think this is the big blockbuster move that puts them over the top. It’s a depth move until the injured guys can come back.
I’m just glad I’m not so “non-positive” as you are about everything the Giants do.
My fault I didn’t look at his numbers in the minors this year, just the previous years. I thought I saw he’d been mostly a bench piece in the bigs this year but I’ve been lookin at too many bbref pages today I guess.
Still, I don’t see what their is to be intrigued about. I guess we will know for sure if he lasts longer on the roster that Donovan Walton. It’s just throws at a dart board, main piece of having pollock cover Yaz for 2 weeks and then dfa him.
And I wasn’t insinuating you thought it was a blockbuster trade, just generally confused and dismayed by how many giants fans seem to think every thing farhan does is like a loom spinning gold. It irks me because if feels like not enough fans are putting any pressure on this team to spend all their enormous wealth on established players. Most of these dumpster dive moves have turned into nothing. At some point fans should demand meaningful action. Why is he spending so much time and attention improving the 38-40th spots on the 40 man roster instead of trying to put an all star in the lineup or another ace in the rotation?
Ha ha ha. Rally the troops and take to the streets !!! That 7th best record in baseball is just not on. We have demands !!!!!
“Farthands must go………Farthands must go……….Farthands must go……..”Farthands must go…….”
That’s my assumption.
Bingo !
That and they are hoping he needed change of scenery/ league to get his mojo back.
Low risk move.
God loves Farhan. You however, are now on probation until further notice.
Inexplicable.
Maybe another move is coming with Seattle to make more sense of this?
I certainly hope so! I never expected to see that Giants participating in the AJ Pollock retirement tour.
Giants fans shouldn’t worry. This is simply a depth move with Yaz likely out for some time and it’s very unlikely the giants had to give up anything of value.
yeah exactly. neither guy will finish the year on the 40… but I don’t get the point. They had internal options that are younger, with better upside that were already there. If Brebbia was going on the 60 day.. they should have picked up a quality arm. Makes no sense..
Farhan just loves ex dodgers and trading with Seattle.
If it’s between Pollock and Ramos for ABs against lefties for the next 3-4 weeks, I’ll take Pollock. Ramos seems to fit the AAAA bill similar to Villar and this team is already rookie heavy.
Do you really imagine the difference is enough to give ABs to a washed guy in his mid 30’s over a kid that they will need to make a 40 man decisions on soon? I don’t but fair, it’s pretty meaningless either way. Needle will not move for pollock or Ramos
There’s something to be said of taking pressure off these rookies. I for one am tired of seeing runners stranded on 2nd and 3rd with less than 2 outs. Pollock is a clutch player you will see.
I’m trying to think positive, can someone please explain this?
Yeah, cheap ass Giant ownership
Might be cheap but they are showing success… very similar story as the Red Sox
Shush. They don’t care about that.
Underlying numbers do not portend continued success, nor do the pedigrees of either their established big leaguers or the lions share of their prospects. Some fans might feel justified in watching wins that also feel sustainable. Some people want to root for dynamic players with all star upside. Winning in 2021 was really fun, until they were clearly outmatched in the playoffs, then they whiffed completely in free agency for two straight seasons and now, surprise! they are stuck with the only option to trade promising young guys to have any shot at a ring. There is plenty of room for a fair to criticize even with a winning record. Some people obviously feel differently and will smugly and sarcastically act superior to any fan who doesn’t love watching the jd Davis’s and Mitch Hanniger’s of the world be league average starters.
*shrug emoji?*
Yep. That 3-2 series loss to the Dodgers where Game 5 went to the wire clearly indicated outmatched.
And you wonder why there is sarcasm. You reap what you sow, my friend.
The overreaction to this trade is beyond. ridiculous.
Yeah, clearly overmatched? They were not. The only thing that’s clear is that this guy is confusing his opinions with reality.
Taking on salary to get a quad a player they missed earlier this year. See something to improve. Get outfield depth.
Unbelievable
Yeesh…why?
Probably wanted him when Texas dfa but pirates gave a more upside arm. Can see them making them useful.
A solid nominee for most Meh trade of the 2023 MLB trade deadline.
Normally I’d say the Giants can extract something from any veteran player they acquire, but Pollock’s looking like he’s cooked. Going to Seattle wasn’t the answer, not sure even the Giants coaching staff can turn him around.
Hoping this is like the Zack Cozart Will Wilson deal where Giants get a prospect for taking on junk salary.
Giants and Mariners have had a bunch of minor trades last couple years.
Yeah and they gave us Prelander Berroa for Donny Walton last year lmao.
Farhan is still working under cover for the dodgers. Only explanation.
Taking a flyer on middle infield depth who has been tearing up minors. Pollock a free roll, maybe they can adjust him to hit LH pitching again. Would imagine SF gave up nothing. Farhan inherited a mess and has built a contender , stocked farm system. I’ll trust his judgement.
Same thing Wisely has done. And as for Pollock the Giants going young and already on the 40 man would have been better off letting Heliot Ramos figure it out at the major league level.
I agree, would have liked to see Heliot get another shot since he’s been doing well in AAA. But this trade could be more about getting Mathias, and taking Pollock off Seattle’s hands was just to lighten the return. He may very well be DFA’d once Haniger is back or perhaps sooner.
Yeah. Impressive minor league numbers. Reads like Mathias cost them Pollocks remaining salary. As per usual, much ado about nothing.
Pirates will trade you Andujar if you want tearing up minors. Mathias tore up there as well.
Am I missing something here? Even with injuries I don’t feel Pollock is noticeably better than any of our other outfielders
Think they can coach him up and taking his salary to get Mathias.
Yeah that was my guess. Very Zaidi-ish
Giants might do well to have one of those Red Cross hospital ships drop anchor in McCovey Cove. Players with recurrent injuries, like Pollock, can skip the workouts and check right in for care. Giants refuse to threaten their mediocrity by acquiring anyone other than often-injured journeymen.
AJ Pollock is a .271 hitter or better career in 3 of the 4 NL West parks. He struggles at Petco I believe around .230. The giants definitely did their homework, it’s not flashy but he can help that team or his track record says he can at least.
They got a de aging machine? What’s the lab that had Bonds cream?
Thanks for the laugh. A pylon is better than Pollock.
PTBNL, so basically we gave up nothing to get a decent utility guy in Mathias. Pollock will probably get DFA’d
What’s decent. Maybe he can hit his hrs from last year. Sucked at every position I seen him play. Giants can improve him if anyone can. Something there but they got work to do.
Giants need to do more than just add “more depth” at the deadline.
What more, Get Verlander???? Gimme a break! They need to get healthy and get Keaton Winn healthy and back up to SF, and Harrison continue his journey. Not spend when the kids will be fully ready for ’24 and Ohtani is available.
It doesn’t need to be Verlander, but they definitely need a bonafide #3 pitcher (or better). The rotation is hanging together on hopes and dreams. What they have is not enough to punch weight with the Dodgers (who, by the way are not sitting on their laurels and probably WILL get Verlander or better).
Pollock needs to retire already. TRASH!!
“Player to be named later” will be Lower A level at best. With Yaz getting hurt, they needed outfield help. Who knows when Estrada will be fully back for 2nd base. They needed infield help and extra body for outfield… I am glad they did not go all in for someone who will just opt out at year’s end…
Saving the bucks for Ohtani… I am not counting this team out, just yet, need to get healthy…
Any player is a win for us. We just wanted to dump trash. Make them good. Don’t care.
Last time the Giants dealt a PTBNL to us for a castoffs it was Prelander Berroa, I’m hoping for another swindle.
Jerry and Justin show: take our epic unproductive player and his salary off our hands.
other team: “ok”
Don’t really understand the Giants on this one. I get Seattle’s reason.
Real teams making real deals Giants doing what Giants do lol
A plus to infinity. Drop that salary and clear the roster space.
Maybe Giants have the answers.
At one time Pollock was an impact player. Pollock & Mathias will be role players & probably not on 2024 Giants roster.
Farhan sure loves him some Bay Area guys, but Mathias is org depth at this point.
How did Pollock not get DFA’d before this trade is a good question.
This sends a great message to the Giants clubhouse. There has to be something else in the works that will be more of an impact. I understand they didn’t really give up anything, but this aint gonna do it. I guess we’ll just have to wait until the deadline to see if we get help somewhere. Semi head scratcher.
What happened to the good ol days when we’d at least get a bag of baseballs, and Randy Wynn.
This might be the worst deadline deal I’ve ever seen. You never let me down Farhan keep scraping the bottom of the barrel you old scavenger!
A DFA would have taking longer hence the deal. This is in response to Yaz’s injury this weekend. I see this as a sign they plan to give as many everyday AB’s to Luciano either with him at DH or SS with Pollock/Pederson forming a platoon in LF.
It’s plausible Pollock and Slater also share that role and or Slater starts making spot starts for Conforto too. Without Yaz, Slater also becomes the backup CF, I presume in an emergency Pollock can fill this spot.
Remember there is no more trading after the deadline tomorrow, what’s on your roster and what’s in your system has to last you the rest of the year. Mark Mathias is non 40 man depth. Cash came along in the deal my guess is SF is paying Pollock the minimum wage and Seattle is paying the rest. The PTBNL is a lottery ticket and not a powerball lottery ticket, just some guy who throws 95 with no command and no secondary pitch
My gut tells me the Giants get Rodriguez from Detroit.
Webb
Rodriguez
Cobb
Works in a WC series and in a 5/7 game, Wood/Stripling/Manea can be layered in depending on match up.
Your gut obviously doesn’t know Farhan very well. This is the biggest move he will make lol!!
There’s still a need for a veteran middle infielder. DeJong fits the bill and they have Jack Flaherty too, in theory a single deal nets them a SP as well. As I pointed out what you have in your system in 8/1 has to last you the rest of the way.
With the injury to Disco + multiple SP’s on the farm, they do need a guy to slot into their top 3. I prefer Rodriguez however it would be interesting to see what the SFG MLB staff can do with Flaherty, he’s been good but not his earlier career great for a couple of seasons now..
This particular deadline there’s definitely a mismatch of available starters vs the number of teams trying to buy. There are going to be teams that ultimately don’t get a guy. If a deal does get done undoubtedly you’ll criticize the prospect he gave up…. right?
there is certainly a need for a middle infielder, and his name is Thairo Estrada. he’ll be back in a week.
Not exciting but neither were Cody Ross or Michael Morse travis ishikawa really but they still impacted those teams.
All these people poo pooing Farhan for not making some monster move. What, did you want us to drain the farm system for 42 yr old pitchers? In a few days the Giants will add one of the best offensive players in the game, better than any position player traded, other than Candelario. His name is Thairo Estrada. The team is leading the Wildcard, 2 games out of the NL West lead, and attendance is way up due in part to the excitement of all the rookies. I’d say Farhan’s team is doing pretty damn well at the end of July.
All I can say is, “LOL.”
the best move the Giants should make is get rid of Farhan and Kapler.This team has no 3,4 and 5th starting pitching,can’t hit,score runs and only strike out and you go and get Pollock.What a joke