The Giants are signing shortstop Paul DeJong to a major league contract, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The shortstop was recently designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and his transactions tracker at MLB.com indicates he was released yesterday.
DeJong’s career has been on a downward slope in recent years, with his offensive production declining in each season since his 2017 rookie year. He hit .285/.325/.532 in his first campaign for a wRC+ of 123, indicating he was 23% above league average. The Cards then gave him a six-year, $26MM extension but watched him struggle more and more as time went on. His wRC+ dropped to 103 in 2018, then 101, 87, and 85 in the years after. In 2022, he spent a couple of months on optional assignment and only hit .157/.245/.286 in the majors for a wRC+ of just 55.
He seemed to have turned things around somewhat this year, having hit .233/.297/.412 through 81 games with the Cards. He was striking out in 28.4% of his plate appearances but had popped 13 home runs in that time. His 95 wRC+ indicated he was still a tad below average at the plate overall, but for a shortstop who’s considered an above-average defender, that was a serviceable showing.
With the Cardinals out of contention this year and DeJong in the final guaranteed year of that extension, he was a sensible trade candidate. The Jays found themselves with a sudden need at short just before the deadline when Bo Bichette landed on the IL with a knee injury. They sent minor league pitcher Matt Svanson to the Cards in order to get DeJong as an emergency fill-in for Bichette.
Unfortunately, switching the red bird on his jersey for a blue one coincided with an incredible swoon in his performance. He recorded just three hits in 44 plate appearances for the Jays, all singles, while striking out 18 times and not drawing any walks. When Bichette was reinstated from the injured list, the Jays could have optioned a less-experienced player like Santiago Espinal or Davis Schneider but instead decided to just move on from DeJong.
At the time of the trade, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Cardinals are covering half of DeJong’s remaining salary and the buyouts on two club options. DeJong’s salary is $9MM this year, which left about $3MM to be paid out at the time of the trade and $2MM now. After being released, any club could sign him and pay him just the prorated league minimum, with that amount subtracted from what the other clubs pay.
It seems like the Giants will take that chance on another DeJong bounceback, which is a fairly logical move for them. Their regular shortstop, Brandon Crawford, just landed on the injured list over the weekend due to a left forearm strain. Thairo Estrada is also day-to-day after being hit by a pitch on the hand on Sunday. That leaves veteran utility man Johan Camargo and rookie Casey Schmitt as their healthiest middle infield options at the moment. Camargo has hit .220/.273/.345 since the start of 2019 while Schmitt is hitting .197/.249/.279 through his first 226 plate appearances.
Though DeJong may be inconsistent at the plate, it’s a sensible chance for the Giants to take. If he’s able to get back into decent form, he could certainly be an upgrade over their current options. By getting added to the roster prior to 11:59pm ET on August 31, DeJong will be eligible for the postseason roster as well. The Giants are currently 65-60 and in possession of the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
The club currently has a full 40-man roster and will need to make a corresponding move to add DeJong whenever this move becomes official. They will also need a spot for pitching prospect Kyle Harrison, who is reportedly going to be added and start tonight’s game, meaning some further roster moves are coming for the Giants.
I friggin knew it.
I had a hunch they would trade for him but once he was DFA’d it was inevitable
GIANTS must see something. MLB contract is First Start.
He played well against them. That’s for sure
“Must see something”…Yep. What they “see” is another minimal talent, warm body, that can be had cheaply, a Farhan specialty.
Minimal talent? He is a great defensive shortstop with power upside. Tons of talent. But can he put it together? That’s the question
“He is a great”…When you’re on your 3rd team in 3 weeks, it’s fair to say, you probably do not possess “tons of talent”. By your standards, I should find my baseball glove, because I too probably possess “tons of talent”.
Another desperate Zaidi move. Does this mean Pollock will finally be DFA?
Defensively he is very good. Top notch.
Its a needed move, and once past the deadline, there are not a ton of options. Did you want him to make a deal for a non-40 man player, or purchase someone from an independent league?
Wow, you see him much differently than the teams that keep dropping him from their rosters.
This guy was an All-Star a few years ago. Similarity score says that at age 26, he was on pace to be the Miguel Tejada of his generation. He hasn’t been getting it done lately, but come on – he’s obviously got some talent. Worth taking a flyer on in the minors.
especially with the middle infield injury, couldn’t be better timing..DeJong SS and Camargo 2B, let’s go!
lmao Camargo at 2b? hope you’re being sarcastic. Dude is about to get DFAd.
pure, c’mom..use can be stoked over that midIF
What that this ment to read “the Cardinals then gave him the Alan Craig treatment after 1 good year because he had a picture of John Mozeliak in a dress?” I know… I know… it’s okay… there there
Meanwhile Dylan Mulvany is like ICE COLD BUDLIGHT HERE GET YOUR ICE COLD BEER! AND Billy Busch is like…. Palm to face “hey Mr DeWitt Jr I’ll buy back budlight from you!”
Don’t quit your day job homes
The right consistently prove that they are not funny
DeJong is DeDone
That didn’t take DeLong.
Time to embargo Camargo.
We’ll see less Casey at the bat.
Escargot you damn Goober!
@ted He’s excess cargo.
SUPERBOWL!!
Count me in? What we smoking on? I brought some LA Baker to the party
This guy Schmidt seems like he needs 500 more AAA at bats? He will blossom at 27 like Jim Edmonds, Craig Paquette, Tommy Pham Josh Donaldson and so many others
See ya Camargo.
Exactly right Wilmer. Hello btw!
Yeah, that bat waggle makes me seasick. Plus repeatedly not getting the run home from 3rd with less that 2 outs. He did, for the most part, impress me with his glove.
Sorry about your boy Meck’s underwhelming start I can’t believe they gave Harper the ISTPHR yesterday when Meck fumbled the ball twice. Homepark cooking. Whatever thay ask Matos to improve upon – he seems to. Nice to have him back.
Meck would never have been brought up of Haniger and Yaz had been healthy. Slater is in the biggest ice spell I’ve ever seen too. So they hoped Meck would continue to ride that rocket. But he was just drafted last year, too big of a jump to the majors. I hope he can regroup with some love and support, he has the tools!
It was a triple and an error, everyone knows it! Ridiculous!
That joke was apauling
That joke was apauling.
Is your teams shortstop heading to the IL? Need someone to fill in for a week or two? Well you’re in luck because DeJong is on standby waiting to play FOR YOU only to be DFA in a little over a weeks time.
He’s guaranteed to give you some pop, but don’t expect much more. Still serviceable I think, and for what the Giants need, I think they understand what he brings to the table.
“Guaranteed to give you some pop”..Players do not actually come with a “guarantee”.
True especially DeJong, but how about some probable pop? I think that’s more in line with his skills.
If he brings along snap and crackle he might be able to provide breakfast before he strikes out twice and grounds into a double play later that night.
Guy’s gotta be able to hit better than Camargo has.
Only guy on the team that has had a 30 hr season
Joc Pederson says hello.
As does Conforto
So does Mitch Haniger.
dang dude, do some research prior to posting but then again “research is overrated” according to a regular poster here..so, go ahead and post whatever comes to your mind..
Sorry with the flood of ins and out of new guys every week it’s hard to keep track lol
nah, it’s true..FZ’s really good at throwing crap on the wall and see what sticks..not like those aforementioned players were regulars at breaking 30+ hrs
Hopefully this isn’t the end for Crawford, if their season continues in this directions I hope he gets his proper time and send off.
Huh ?
Brandon Crawford is Washed.
World Series Bound!!
Signing DeJong is a real act of desperation. The front office’s failure to acquire a single middle infielder at the deadline could cost them a WC spot.
Unless you wanted them to target prospects, or overpay for Tim Boom Boom Anderson, the only people available were Rosario, Segura, and DeJong.
Right. There weren’t a lot of options at the deadline, and this way, the Giants get a guy they were already considering, but without trading away a prospect.
The position has been a weakness since April. My suggestion at the time was Ramon Urias, who was at least worth inquiring about given Baltimore’s infield depth and Joey Ortiz’s dominance at AAA this season.
For the sake of compiling a list, Luis Urias and Nicky Lopez have performed well since being traded. I also suggested Marcano pre- injury.
The list of expendable and quality role players is limited by definition so I don’t think the shortage was unique to this trade deadline.
How dare the Giants settle for DeJong, instead of trading for someone at the deadline like… DeJong.
If DeJong hits the ball. It’s a lucky great move. Otherwise his fielding is really good.
This Giants fan is disgusted with the poor decisions that continue to be made by this organization. First you bring Camargo and Pollock into a post-season chase and now DeJong? Zaidi continues to chase damaged goods at the Salvation Army and has ruined a franchise that as recently as 2014 had won 3 World Series in five years. Oh well, the Mighty Meckler can save us.
I’m a more sanguine about Zaidi’s track record but tolerating negative value production at shortstop all year was a monumental to burn. The team is significantly under the luxury tax threshold so there was no shortage of potential options
Your comments make me realize that being a “true fan” often involves a lot of knee-jerk negativity. No judgement – I’ve been cursing at the mid-game player movement in spite of it often working out.
Scutarointherain—love your name!
I know part of being a fan is being critical but I feel like Zaidi gets a very unreasonable amount of vitriol and negativity spewed at him, it’s basically hatred. It’s really ugly and unfair. I don’t mind reasoned criticisms and he would be the first to say he deserves some, but he’s also done a ton right! And he deserves praise for that. When we win a few games in a row or a prospect looks excellent, all the Zaidi haters go scurrying off. It’s like they feed on this weird doom loop. I don’t get it and I don’t choose to live life like that. Be kind and helpful to your neigbors, there’s no need to be mean. If you are a true fan, then you ride the ups and downs together!
I’m not sure any GM escapes criticism.
It is well-earned negativity when it is called for. And well-earned praise when warranted.
Expect quality defense and be pleasantly surprised if he bangs a few hangers into the stands
DONATIONS! DONATIONS! OH! I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRASH!
Camargo, Pollack, Mathias and Alex Wood are DFA candidates. They could also 60 day Mathias to keep him in the system.
They have Haniger and Brebbia coming off the 60 day soon so they will ultimately need to clear 4 roster spots.
I’m hoping Tyler Fitzgerald gets called up, but that’s a lot of jettisoning to do.
There’s a chance the Giants DFA Dejong down the road, so his stint might only be temporary.
Definitely more moves need to be made soon Wilmer, I don’t think they want to DFA Wood and have him show up on another NL West team! Maybe IL him instead?
Of all the guys they cycled through for middle infield depth, I thought Wisely looked the best.
Tyler Fitzgerald’s slash line looks good in AAA but his OPS+ isn’t so good. Both Schmitt and Matos’ OPS+ was better in AAA and they have struggled offensively in the majors. The PCL has very bloated numbers due to the high elevation parks so it’s hard to judge players!
Well, let it be known that Fitz is my boy. Only 8 errors playing mostly short but also 2nd, 3rd and centerfield. And he has walloped the ball at both Richmond and Sacto to the tune of an .872 OPS plus has 23 steals this year.
You’re right about not DFA’ing Wood. He’s a decent pitcher. He just can’t get anyone out the 3rd time through the batting order and he’s been a pouty whiney boy this year.
You can almost guarantee if the Giants DFA Wood he’ll end up back with the Dodgers
Exactly, and then he’ll probably pitch like Lance Lynn. Sheesh!
Manea is more DFA material than Wood
While he’s in San Francisco, he can visit the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
He was in the right place, so it must have been DeJong time.
I hope he finds his bat in SF.
they did it again,bring in all the other team rejects.Farhan will collect all your rubbish for you.
and turn them into gold!
16 for 83 with 2 Home Runs lifetime at AT&T Park for DeJong. Not overly encouraging production but maybe one the dozen plus coaches on the Giants can get through to him and fix his swing
DeJong must have really stunk up the place to be released not even a month after the trade to Toronto. Not much of a gamble for the Giants, only have to pay him the minimum and Toronto pays the rest.
Many on his site were vehement that the Cardinals would be able to rebuild their farm system for the return on DeJong alone and any team acquiring him should be honored by the experience.
That must be some really good stuff you’re smoking. I never saw anyone suggest anything so ridiculous.
Coming from a cardinal fan. He will bring occasional pop that is above average while playing solid defense. Well above average d but not quite GG consideration defense.
The thing is you could catch him on a heater. He is very prone to be god awful for awhile and just when you wanna toss him overboard he will put up 1-2 weeks of hall of game level production. Then right as you start to praise him and think he turned a corner and we just struck lightning he will trade his bat for a toothpick thinking he can hit anything his way and wouldn’t you be surprised to find out a week goes by and your thinking about taking said toothpick and poking out your eyeballs rather then watch another deJong at-bat.
This cycle has ran over and over again through the past 4-5 seasons of watching him. The thing is it just might work for the Giants. He just went thru his can’t hit a lick phase. Now he is due for 2 weeks of San Franciscan pure gold at the plate. Right around 2 weeks you will be washing zaidi feet praising what he has done thinking this move alone is getting you into October.
STOP!!!! Right at this point is when bail. He, without fail will fall apart quicker then the cookie crumbles right when you get to the store to buy your new Pauly D jersey.
If you just do happen to hold on after he falls of the proverbial cliff and ride the wave he has brought you to a standing at the top of the wild card and you happen to survive his demise and make it to October. He should just be about due time for him to come out from under his Mendoza line and transform into the second coming of mr October for you
So all in all not a bad gamble. Not much else out there to pluck and place at short and at the very least he will play solid d.
But you might just strike while the iron is hot which in Dejong case is right at it’s coldest point. Which he just was and you may have it timed perfect. Get a 2 week heater and then a whole month without making an ounce of contact. Then if you happen to make the playoffs and for some reason decide to stick with him in your lineup he will rise from the ashes and remind you that you had bought that nice your savior, DeJong jersey a month back only to burn it a couple days ago an wish you still had it after he goes 9-14 with 3 home runs and 8 rbis in the wildcard round.
Anything after that not sure of. Does he keep at it for another week and ride his heater to a series mvp and with him taking you to a title bout or fall from Grace and ride if into the beautiful sunset that San Fran is known for
Sounds like another Brandon Belt ?
Didn’t this guy say he lived besting the Yankees when he was traded to Toronto? Hahaha.
Reading through the comments made me realize – for the most part (some were intelligent) – how thankful I am NOT to live in the dumpster state of California or be a fan of ANY of it’s pro sports teams. I feel the same about New York (both the state and their pro sports teams). The fans from your two states should never argue because you’re BOTH EXACTLY ALIKE. Paul Dejong is a good, solid all around player. As one of the few intelligent posters stated – he just has to put all those things together at once (as he has done in the past). He’s young and still has several great seasons ahead if he can do this. He’s a class act and, as stupid as most California pro team fans seem to be, in no way deserves the majority of the comments I read. Those comments made me realize how ignorant most of the fans in CA are. I wouldn’t even put forth an effort for you guys if I were him. If he’s lucky, he’ll – at worst – be stuck finishing the season “out there” and then can move on to greener pastures with fans who appreciate having him. This will ease his mind so he can put the types of GOOD seasons he’s capable of together on a consistent basis. For now, IF he can tolerate CA and it’s HORRIBLE “what have you done for me lately” fans (even though, he hasn’t even played a day for your team yet – making those comments even more ignorant), I wish him the best and hope he kicks the po’ dump Cardinals butts every time he plays them.
Maybe he will break Dan Uggla horrific stay record
In Paul DeJong’s debut with the GIants, he gets 3 hits, including a home run, and drives in 4 runs in the Giants’ victory over the Phillies.
Man, some of you Giants fans are harsh on your own team management, where a non-Giants fan like myself has always admired how your team wins and, at times, dominates without making splashy headlines. To me, a guy like DeJong – whose offense has tanked but is still has starter-quality defensive skills – is a perfect player to have on the bench and spot-starter, particularly if the Giants make the postseason.