© Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants entered the 2018 season as the oldest team in the National League. They rejuvenated their roster Sunday morning when they traded outfielder Austin Jackson, 31, reliever Cory Gearrin, 32, and Class A pitching prospect Jason Bahr to the Texas Rangers for cash and a player to be named later. The Giants subsequently promoted prized outfielder Steven Duggar, 24, and reliever Ray Black, 28, to the big league squad, both of who made their MLB debuts Sunday afternoon.
The move jettisoned occasional contributors elsewhere, gave prospects immediate opportunity, and pushed the Giants below the luxury tax for some breathing room. And for those reasons, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow believes Bruce Bochy’s club made the right move, as Krukow elaborated with KNBR’s Murph and Mac Monday morning.
“It made sense,” Krukow said. “I think Austin Jackson is much more comfortable in the American League. I think it was difficult for him to come to the National League and have to re-learn a bunch of new pitchers. He never really got confidence at the plate.”
Krukow admitted surprise that the Giants parted ways with Gearrin, the right-hander who produced a 4.20 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in his fourth season with San Francisco.
“He was a guy that had really started to throw the ball consistently better,” Krukow said. “His slider had gotten a whole lot better, so that kind of caught us by surprise. The whole goal was not only to get under the $197 million, but to have a little bit of working room.”
The $197 million to which Krukow referred is this year’s luxury tax threshold. The Giants were just below that prior to Sunday, but the recent trade saved them $2.1 million this year and $5.1 million altogether. They now have greater resources to potentially add a piece before the trade deadline expires on July 31.
Meanwhile, the trade opened opportunities for Duggar and Black, two of the franchise’s coveted prospects, to finally show what they can do at the big league level. Duggar, who hit .272 and added 11 steals with Triple-A Sacramento this season, is known for his defense and athleticism. Black, who compiled a 2.27 ERA and 0.79 WHIP, is known for his velocity, which consistently reaches triple-digits.
Their debuts went very differently.
Duggar went 2-6 with a double and a run in San Francisco’s 13-8 win over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Black surrendered two walks before allowing a three-run homer to Matt Carpenter in the eighth inning, retiring just one batter before being pulled from the game.
Both players are viewed as assets that can help the Giants win now, not just in the future.
“I think (Giants general manager) Bobby Evans is anticipating they are going to be in (the playoff race),” Krukow said. “This is a big, key time in the Giants’ year… I think (the trade is) going to be a good shot in the arm for this club.”
