DEAL: SF Giants sign another blockbuster deal trade with Seattle Mariners

The SF Giants won Sunday’s game, prompting Farhan Zaidi to call his old friend Jerry DiPoto to see what his plans were for the evening. By the end of their conversation, the Giants had traded for reliever Mike Baumann from the Seattle Mariners, as noted in the team’s transaction log.

SF Giants add veteran reliever in trade with Seattle Mariners

The Giants sent cash considerations to complete the deal. Baumann had been placed on waivers over the weekend but didn’t have to wait long to have his status resolved. This trade brings the Giants’ 40-man roster to 39 players.

Baumann, a 28-year-old reliever, has no remaining minor league options, so the Giants will need to make a corresponding roster move. This could be a temporary solution to cover innings during their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week.

The Giants expect both Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb to return soon, with Ray possibly coming back during this series. This would necessitate a move on both the 40-man and active rosters, potentially putting players like Baumann on the bubble and subject to waivers.

Baumann, originally a third-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2017 draft from Jacksonville University, has a 3.07 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, and a 2.50 SO/W rate over six minor league seasons, mainly as a starter. Recently, he has spent more time in the bullpen.

In Triple-A, he has a solid 3.29 ERA over three seasons. However, he has struggled in the majors, posting a 4.57 ERA across 143.2 innings over parts of four seasons with the Orioles and Mariners, including a 4.41 ERA in 31 outings in 2024.

On the mound, Baumann has a starter’s arsenal, including a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a knuckle curve, a slider, and a changeup. Despite his potential, he has struggled with consistency.

For now, Baumann will likely work out of the Giants’ bullpen, which has been heavily used in 2024, making a fresh arm a welcome addition.