While the Giants aren’t actively shopping hard-throwing righty Camilo Doval this winter, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported earlier today that the club is receiving “strong” interest in his services around the league.
Doval, 27, is an intriguing trade candidate even after an undeniably lackluster 2024 campaign. The right-hander was an All-Star in 2023 who led the National League in saves and turned in his second consecutive excellent season as the closer in San Francisco, but 2024 saw him struggle with uneven performance throughout the year. That led the Giants to option him to the minors for a brief period in August, and upon his return to the majors he was replaced by right-hander Ryan Walker in the closer role. Overall, Doval pitched to a 4.88 ERA with a 3.71 FIP this past year with a strong 28.8% strikeout rate that was overshadowed by a massive 14.4% walk rate.
Difficult as 2024 was for Doval, it’s hard to deny the right-hander’s talent. Entering this year, Doval’s career numbers were nothing short of elite. In 162 1/3 innings of work across three seasons with the Giants prior to 2024, the right-hander dominated to the tune of a 2.77 ERA with a 2.97 FIP while striking out 30.2% of opponents, walking 9.6%, and racking up 69 saves. He combines his high strikeout rates with an excellent ability to induce contact on the ground as well, as he’s posted a 55.2% grounder rate in his career that ranks fourth among all relievers with at least 200 innings over the past four seasons. Even in his down season this year, Doval generated grounders at an incredible 60% clip that was good for seventh in the sport this year among qualified relief arms.
While the wide chasm between Doval’s ERA and FIP along with an elevated .333 BABIP and a below-average 68.2% strand rate might suggest Doval was simply unlucky in 2024, there are plenty of red flags that figure to give potential suitors pause. That walk rate is surely particularly concerning to interested clubs, seeing as it was the second-highest figure among qualified relievers last year. Only southpaw Aroldis Chapman walked batters at a higher clip than Doval, and Chapman’s 37% strikeout rate last year dwarfs even Doval’s best figures in his career. As tantalizing as the upside surely is for a hard-throwing ground ball specialist like Doval who has three years of team control remaining, his concerning 2024 campaign could make rival clubs cautious about paying a premium for the righty.
If the Giants believe Doval is likely to bounce back to his previous form in 2025, it would be a bold choice for the club to move him for what would surely be a lower price than he could garner following a dominant season—or even half of one, should San Francisco be in position to sell at this summer’s trade deadline. Given Doval’s significant upside, the club might be better off exploring trades involving other players like LaMonte Wade Jr. or Mike Yastrzemski, both of whom are rumored to be available as well.
With that being said, Slusser suggests that the club figures to listen on “significant offers” that would address another area of need thanks in part to the club’s impressive stock of high leverage arms. Aside from Doval and Walker, the club also figures to employ Taylor Rogers, Tyler Rogers, and Erik Miller in the late innings. Jordan Hicks was also used as a late inning option down the stretch this year, but he appears likely to be ticketed for the rotation after an up-and-down season that saw him make 20 starts and enjoy some success in the role during the first half.
Camilo Doval would be a very nice acquisition for the Chicago Cubs IMHO.
Was thinking the same thing.
He would fit nice with the Halos as well. As long as the price was right.
A trade us Bellinger and we’ll throw in Wade and Mason Black
Is Wade able to play a decent RF? Seems like he’s more of a 1B, and the Cubs have Busch there.
A three way deal between the Giants, Cubs, and an AL team might make sense. Bellinger for Doval, Wade, and other pieces, then flip Wade to a team like the Astros who could use 1B depth.
Strong odor coming from the bay ….
Rougned plays elsewhere
I can see the strong interest at this time….probabiy teams thinking they can buy low on Doval, perhaps. But, why in the world would the Giants want to trade him (of course, unless they had a an offer they couldn’t refuse)?
Doval & _______ for Crochet ?
SFG could use a TOR starter.
Bad teams don’t need a closer. They need offense, not a closer who got benched for parts of last year because he can’t throw strikes.
Exactly Clip. If Doval changes teams this off-season I think it would have to be a notable return.
Would the Yanks brass consider making such an offer? How smart are they?
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They would make an offer, but knowing Cashman, it wouldn’t be a worthwhile one for you guys.
Sigh…I guess he’s no dummy then. Would he have any interest in a slightly used Wilmer? That’d teach those wretched Mets, they love that guy.
Chase Hampton and Roderick Arias for Camilo is a steep prospect price but helps both teams. Prob needs some fine tuning, but can be the start of a real deal.
Years ago the Phillies had a young pitcher with amazing stuff, a lot of ability, and a big ego that won’t listen to reason. They traded him to Cleveland as a part of the Cliff Lee trade.
Manager Terry Francona and the FO were patient and worked hard with him. Carlos Corrasco slowly came around, turned into great human being and an excellent pitcher for years. Later he beat leukemia.
An organization that knows how to work with pitchers (and all players) needs to get a hold of Mr. Doval. One that understands
that the 2025 season may only be a transformative year for him. Preferably a small or mid-market team. Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Cincinnati immediately come to mind (the Rays can
fix him, but they’ll discard him once he gets injured following
their coaches instructions).
The man can have a sensational career out of the bullpen for at
least 5-7 years.
I’d like to see the Rangers trade for Doval
They won’t sell low on him. If he is garbage again at the trade deadline. Maybe. He is too controllable and too much upside right now
And that’s the risk of trying restore his once and future full-value, whatever that can be. If it all goes south – again – they’d get nothing worthwhile in return, while having suffered through another set of regrettable outings.
I’m with you though, fully resurrecting him before trading him is the roll of the dice I prefer. But I’ll defer to the wisdom of the new regime, if someone actually does make a compelling offer for him this winter…
“million dollar arm, 10 cent head”
There’s no reason to sell low on him after a down season. If a team gives a good offer take it for sure since they have Walker to close out games but no reason to get desperate and jump at something
I don’t think it was a down season, I’ve seen a lot of great closers, Camino isn’t one of them, he’s good, but not great. He’s not Craig Kimbrell or Rod Beck, he strikes me as more of a Robb Nen type. I could see him reaching 200 saves possibly maybe even 225 but he would have to be playing for a contender to get to that point. He has maybe 3 good seasons and one or two middling seasons left if used properly. The Giants will not be in contention by that point for the west, and have walker who is good enough to compete for a wild card if they find themselves in contention for one. He is a surplus and the Giants are not good enough to keep surplus talent at this point, they have too many areas they need to improve in.
Considering the enormous drop in his results that is quite literally a ‘down season’ to this point. I agree with needing to improve other areas but Doval is more than likely not going to get something that moves the needle enough to justify shipping him out with his value low right now.
Anyone trading for him isn’t concerned how his “career” will turn out, they are concerned with the next 3yrs, his age 27-29 season as that’s how many years of control an acquiring team will have.
SFG win with strong pitching and defense + a team of guys taking professional AB’s providing just enough offense. RP are the most volatile in performance year to year, there’s only 1 Mariano Rivera. Only the SFG and Doval know if he was dealing with some minor arm issues or maybe Doval didn’t click with the change in SF staff in 2024.
Those that do know are also those who will keep or trade him. Also by your logic they should trade Ryan Walker as well, no?
No im in on keeping Walker but I think they should trade Camino as they don’t need both, and I don’t think they will be in a position to need both in the time frame that Camino will still be effective.
By needing both I mean having two closers, that’s something only serious contenders need as they are more likely to be in close late inning leads on consecutive nights on a regular basis, I don’t think the Giants are likely to be more than a fringe competitor for the wild card team in the next 3-4 years
Rod Beck? He only had 3 seasons of an era less than 3. His K/9 wasn’t as good as Nen or Doval either. Doval can bounce back, but they should take him and Wade to make payroll space for another legitimate hitter or Starting pitcher.
Would not surprise me at all to see Posey move Doval, Matos and Luciano before the season starts.
Luciano has serious ‘blossom after a change of scenery’ vibes but I’m over him. What kind of player in his early 20s can’t play a single position adequately?
Farhan made IMO two major mistakes at the helm. 1 not retaining Gausman 2 not moving Luciano off SS when the entire industry saw he couldn’t stick there to find him his next position.
He just turned 23, the bat can be special so you need to give the bat every chance to develop. Covid/injury have cost Luciano a lot of development time. Look at Ramos, for whatever reason that last jump from AAA to MLB was super bumpy over multiple tries but at some point things clicked.
Luciano’s ceiling is higher than Ramos’ Zero chance they move on from Luciano, he has an option remaining as does Matos. Doval will be moved only if it brings back player(s) targeted for the MLB roster.
Could see moving him, maybe in a package, for a front line starter or a power bat. Would prefer to see them keep Doval and deal from the pitching prospect depth. I could see him going to Cleveland in a deal for Josh Naylor.
Guardians already have the deepest, best bullpen in baseball, Doval isn’t really worth all that much to them.
They could trade Gaddis then to Baltimore for young position help that going to be there 5 to 6 years.
I don’t see the fit for Cleveland. They had the best closer in baseball last season, and a very solid bullpen.
I wonder if the Giants would do Camillo Doval for Brett Baty and Nate Lavender. I feel that its a fair trade for both parties but I could see the Giants asking for more
I don’t think the Giants have any use for Baty with Chapman at 3B.
@Jean Matrac Baty has been playing second and outfield in Triple A due to the Vientos blockage
Which sounds less than ideal given that he’s played 3B for virtually his entire career. But they don’t really need a 2B either with Fitzgerald penciled in. And as for the OF, the Giants should aim higher.
50-50 chance he gets traded, Some team is going to look at his costs/control and view the trade costs preferable to paying ever escalating closer free agent contracts. His up/down 2024 means a lower 1st time through arbitration, projected here at $4.6M
Devin Williams is also out there, Helsley (StL) was supposed to be but now less likely per recent reports. Per the William’s write up, several top FA relievers are all being looked at as starters further thinning the market. My gut says someone who’s already in the CBT or trying like hell to avoid will make an offer that’s a match for an SF’s MLB roster need. CHC, PHI, NYY immediately come to mind however in theory any team with a playoff window opening should have some level of interest
I think the Giants are ready to move on from Doval. Remember, Doval pitched to Posey in 2021 so he knows him well.
The issue is Doval’s attitude. He’s been sullen and pouty. After he lost his closer job and was sent to the minors he came back with a better outlook, ready to do whatever the team asked. In the end, Bob Melvin wasn’t a big fan of his and with the rise of Ryan Walker and a plethora of other good arms it’s time for a change of scenery.
Agreed. It’s never been about his stuff. I think the organization is just ready to move on from his pouty attitude.
I think his value could be higher if he could get back to 2023 form and could garner a pretty solid return. If they were to move him now, it would have to be part of a package with guys from the group of: Luciano, Harrison (I think), Wade, Yaz, etc.
They’re absolutely not trading Harrison, and I doubt they want to give up on Luciano when it would be selling low.
“The issue is Doval’s attitude. He’s been sullen and pouty.”
I don’t understand your rationale. I get this is your 2 cents but at the same time should he be happy with his performance, angry and punch a wall? It’s as if you’ve never competed at any level and don’t know what it feels like to not meet your own standards + let your teammates down. I don’t recall anyone suggesting he’s a bad teammate. He doesn’t speak English so you don’t hear him speak his thoughts.
As for Melvin, you try to fix any player at the MLB level but at some point in time the team needs W’s and when a player has options he’s got go elsewhere to get right. Those without get designated for assignment, that’s just MLB.
Luckily, Buster is more diplomatic than I am based on his kind words about Doval today.
I watch pretty much all the games so I’m comfortable with my comments. Like I said, when he came back from the minors he sounded like a good teammate and ready for whatever the team wanted. Hope to see more of that this season.
They need a Starter. Seattle is an option.
Doval and high end prospects that are close to MLB ready for Castillo? I could see that.
M’s have plenty of prospects, they need proven major league hitters, particularly on the infield – if Castillo gets moved it will be for that tyoe of return. And if Brash can return healthy behind Munoz they wouldn’t have a huge need for Doval either.
Total head case. Dump him. Let someone else pay for the psychotherapy.
I think the Giants would be wise to keep Doval, but I’m not running the team.
The Tigers are looking for a back of the bullpen arm. What do the Giants need? A young starter or one of their 8 million 2B prospects?
You think the Tigers would trade Casey Mize for this guy?
Mize wouldn’t even better the young starter depth SFG already has.
Birdsong, Beck, Winn, Black, etc
LOL. Birdsong is the only one of the four that has done anything as a mlb starter, and he’s a bit worse than Mize.
Tristan Beck has a 116 ERA+ over two seasons. Casey Mize has a 97 ERA+ over his 3.
Mason Black has all of 36.1 IP in his career. Too early to know squat about him.
Beck is a 29 year old reliever with 4 MLB starts, and about 100 innings overall.
I didn’t say mlb starter.
I said young starter depth. Many are unproven like Roupp & Black & Whisenhunt but my point is we have enough of these guys.
Mize is in his second year back from Tommy John so a jump in performance could be expected. He might benefit from a change of scenery just like Doval. Package Lamonte Wade Jr with Doval and grab a minor league bat from the Tigers or fill another need.
ThonolansGhost, You’re obviously not a Giants’ fan or you’d know that Beck isn’t just a reliever. He was regarded as a future SP by the team. Like a lot of future starters, he relieved mostly when called up. Thanks to Kapler, in 2023 he was the bulk innings pitcher often, coming in after the opener. Over his last 5 games in 2023 he started 3 of them, and that was the plan going forward in 2024. Unfortunately he had an aneurysm in early 2024, and missed the season until he returned in Sept. Then, using him as a reliever was a way to ease him back in.
Bullpens are unpredictable . You try to make it 6 innings game with a strong bullpen.
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Head case………
The Tigers could use this guy.