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The Giants haven’t struck yet, but the early trades leading up to the deadline did involve a former Giant.
Sergio Romo is going from the Marlins to the Twins, the St. Paul Pioneer Press first reported Saturday. The Twins are also receiving relief prospect Chris Vallimont. In exchange, Lewin Diaz, a first baseman and the team’s No. 30 prospect, will head to Miami.
Earlier in the day, lefty Jake Diekman, who has high-octane stuff, a ton of strikeouts but a 4.75 ERA, went from Kansas City to Oakland, as the A’s beef up their bullpen. The Royals acquired reliever Ismael Aquino and outfielder Dairon Blanco, neither in the A’s top-30 prospects.
Diekman has an option for next season. Romo is a free agent at year’s close.
This helps set the market for relievers on expiring contracts, and while neither Romo nor Diekman is on Will Smith’s level, the returns for the valuable relievers were not overwhelming.
The Giants — and all of baseball — have until Wednesday at 1 p.m. to finalize deals.
