There were many uncertainties regarding the San Francisco Giants’ actions leading up to the recent trade deadline.
With only a slim chance of making the playoffs, some believed the team should consider trading away most of their assets to acquire promising prospects for a potential rebuild.
However, the Giants opted for minimal changes, primarily focusing on salary relief and adding an extra outfielder.
One notable move was the trade of starting pitcher Alex Cobb to the Cleveland Guardians, just a year after he was named an All-Star. In return, the Giants received minor leaguer Jacob Bresnahan.
Cobb had not played for San Francisco in 2024 due to an injury that kept him on the disabled list after hip surgery last October. Before he could make his return, he was traded.
Cobb initially signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Giants before the 2022 season, where he performed well with a 3.80 ERA over 56 starts and 301 innings. However, after the Giants exercised his $10 million option for this season and he remained sidelined, the front office decided to part ways with him.
Cobb was activated by the Guardians on August 9, where he made two starts, allowing five earned runs over 10.1 innings, a decent performance given his long absence. Unfortunately, he has since returned to the injured list due to a fractured fingernail on his throwing hand, adding to the frustrations of the 36-year-old veteran, who will need at least 15 days to recover if the injury heals properly.
Former San Francisco Giants All-Star Johnny Cueto is set to make his return to Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Angels. According to MLB insider Héctor Gómez, Cueto’s contract will be promoted from Triple-A, where he has been playing for the Salt Lake Bees. This marks his comeback to the major leagues after a year away.
In his four appearances with Salt Lake, Cueto posted a strong record of 3-0 and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.09. His addition is expected to strengthen the Angels’ starting rotation as they approach the end of the regular season.
Cueto last pitched in the majors in September 2023 for the Miami Marlins, where he had a challenging season with a 6.02 ERA and a 1-4 record over 13 games. After signing with the Angels in July, he has been working towards this opportunity.
At 38 years old, Cueto is entering his 17th season in the league, having previously been selected as an All-Star twice. While he may not be the dominant pitcher he once was, he is anticipated to provide valuable experience and solid performances for the Angels, who are evaluating his potential contributions for the next season. Throughout his career, Cueto has played for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals, and boasts a career ERA of 3.50 with 1,851 strikeouts over 2,245 innings pitched.
Johnny Cueto Set for MLB Return with Los Angeles Angels.
Former San Francisco Giants All-Star pitcher Johnny Cueto is expected to make his MLB return with the Los Angeles Angels after signing a minor league deal earlier this season[5]. The 38-year-old right-hander last pitched in the majors in 2023 with the Miami Marlins, where he posted a 6.02 ERA over 13 appearances and 10 starts.
Cueto initially signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers but was never called up to the big leagues before exercising his opt-out clause on July 2. He then joined the Angels organization and has been pitching for their Triple-A affiliate.
The Angels are in need of pitching help as they continue their push for a Wild Card spot, with Jose Soriano recently being placed on the 15-day injured list. Cueto’s contract is expected to be selected by the Angels, though no formal announcement has been made.
During his time with the Giants from 2016-2021, Cueto earned an All-Star selection in 2016 when he posted a 2.79 ERA and led the league with five complete games. However, his tenure was marred by injuries, including an elbow sprain that required Tommy John surgery in 2018.
As Cueto embarks on his 17th MLB season, he will look to prove he still has something left in the tank and potentially earn another contract for 2025. The Angels are currently 19 games below .500 and 14.5 games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West.
The San Francisco Giants are generating excitement around two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, a left-handed pitcher who has the option to opt out of his contract and enter free agency.
According to Bob Nightengale from USA Today, Snell intends to exercise his opt-out and explore the market for the second consecutive offseason.
In addition to Snell, the Giants have another veteran pitcher, Robbie Ray, who may also opt for free agency after the season. Like Snell, Ray is a former Cy Young winner and has shown improvement in the latter half of this season.
Despite not having a standout performance until recently, MLB insider Jim Bowden from The Athletic ranked Ray as the 24th best free agent in his recent top 50 list.
In January, the Giants traded Mitch Haniger, Anthony DeSclafani, and cash to the Mariners for Ray, fully aware that the 32-year-old would not be ready to pitch until the second half of the season due to Tommy John surgery he underwent last year. After a successful rehabilitation and impressive outings in the minors, Ray was activated from the 60-day injured list on July 24.
While Snell has excelled recently, including throwing a no-hitter, Ray’s performance has been solid but not at the same level. He holds a 2-2 record with a 6.00 ERA over five starts, striking out 30 and walking 12 in 21 innings. As the Giants strive for the final wild card spot in the National League, they need Ray to return to his Cy Young-winning form from 2021.
Bowden noted that Ray’s performance in August and September will significantly impact his free-agent value, and he sees potential interest in him if he opts out.
Ray has player options worth $25 million for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He could choose to stay with the Giants by activating his option for next season or opt out to seek a new contract based on his performance and past achievements, including his 2021 season with a 13-7 record and a 2.84 ERA.
San Francisco Giants Targeting Top-of-the-Rotation Pitchers in Free Agency.
The San Francisco Giants are gearing up for what promises to be a busy offseason, with both Matt Chapman and Blake Snell expected to opt out of their contracts to explore free agency.
Both players have played crucial roles for the Giants this season, and the team would likely prefer to keep them for the future.
Snell, in particular, has emerged as one of the top starting pitchers in the league. After a slow start and some injury setbacks, he has performed at an elite level in recent months, making his potential departure a significant loss for the Giants.
If Snell decides to sign with another team, the Giants may turn their attention to Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes, who is also set to become a free agent. Curt Bishop of The Sporting News highlighted that while signing Burnes will be challenging, the Giants have shown they are willing to invest in high-profile players, as evidenced by their acquisition of Snell.
Burnes is expected to attract considerable interest in free agency, with many teams seeking to bolster their rotations. So far in the 2024 season with the Orioles, he has made 25 starts, achieving a 12-5 record, a 3.10 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a 3.8 K/BB ratio over 153.2 innings pitched.
At 29 years old, Burnes could serve as a long-term ace for the Giants. While he won’t come cheap, he could be a valuable addition for a team aiming to return to championship contention soon.
Overall, the Giants are poised to be one of the most active teams during the MLB offseason, with significant work ahead to regain their status as World Series contenders.
An MLB insider has ranked a left-handed pitcher from the San Francisco Giants among the top free agents available this offseason. Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, is anticipated to opt out of his current contract, making him a prime candidate to explore the free-agent market.
Snell has been a pivotal player for the Giants this season, particularly excelling in the latter part of the year after overcoming early-season struggles and injuries. His potential departure would be a significant loss for the team.
As the Giants prepare for the offseason, they are likely to pursue top talent to enhance their roster, and Snell’s status as a highly sought-after free agent will be closely monitored.
Two months ago, it seemed likely that Blake Snell would return to the San Francisco Giants. Now, however, it appears he may be leaving.
Even before Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Snell intends to opt out of his contract with the Giants, there was strong speculation based on his performance that he would do so.
Jim Bowden from The Athletic believes Snell will indeed opt out, ranking him as the fifth-best free agent heading into the offseason. After a disappointing free agency last year, Bowden anticipates that the 31-year-old, two-time Cy Young winner will secure the contract he desires this time around, citing high demand for top-of-the-rotation starters.
Following a challenging start to the season due to injuries, Snell has recently pitched like the ace who won the National League Cy Young last year with the Padres. In his last seven starts, he has a 2-0 record and a remarkable 1.14 ERA, striking out 67 batters while allowing just six earned runs over 47.1 innings.
After the Giants opted not to trade Snell at the deadline, he threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2, striking out 11 and walking three. Most recently, he had a no-decision against Oakland, where he struck out 10 in seven innings, and he has thrown over 100 pitches in four of his last five games.
Last offseason, Snell and his agent, Scott Boras, struggled to find a suitable contract, ultimately signing a two-year deal in March that includes a $32 million salary for 2024 and a player option for 2025 worth $30 million. If he opts in, he will pitch for the Giants for one more season before re-entering free agency.
Should Snell decide to test the market again, he will do so as one of the top-ranked pitchers available. Regardless of his overall record this season, teams will be interested in him, as he is one of the few pitchers in MLB history to win a Cy Young in both leagues. He led the American League in wins in 2018 and has twice led the majors in ERA. Additionally, he is an All-Star and was named to the All-First Team MLB last season.
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