Giants make big trade for former Cy Young winner

Sep 15, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a San Francisco Giants cap and glove during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The NL West division is getting even stronger.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Friday that the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners have agreed on a big trade. Veteran left-hander Robbie Ray is going to the Giants as part of the deal while outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani head back to Seattle.

Ray, 32, is a former All-Star who was the AL Cy Young winner with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021. He has also posted five different seasons of 200 strikeouts or more and owns a career ERA of 3.96. However, Ray underwent Tommy John surgery last May and is not expected to return until after the 2024 All-Star break.

On the Mariners’ end, they get out of the $73 million still remaining on Ray’s contract and reunite with Haniger, 33, their former power hitter who made an All-Star team with them in 2018. Seattle also lands DeSclafani, 33, a decent mid-rotation starter who is ready to pitch right now.

This continues on a busy offseason for both the Giants and Mariners. The former signed Korean outfielder Jung-hoo Lee last month and continues to be in the mix for several other major free agents. The latter recently signed catcher Mitch Garver away from the division rival Rangers and acquired a couple of notable pieces in November by trading away Eugenio Suarez.