DEAL DONE: SF Giants swing trade for Baltimore Orioles League deal

The SF Giants completed a small trade on Friday, acquiring minor league pitcher Ryan Watson from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations, as noted in the team’s transaction log.

SF Giants swing trade for Baltimore Orioles 2022 Minor League Pitcher of the Year

Although the trade deadline ended in July, there are still opportunities for player movement. One way is through trades involving players who aren’t on the 40-man roster. Another method is through teams placing claims on players who are on waivers.

However, unlike in the past, when a team is awarded a player via a waiver claim, the transaction is finalized, and no trade occurs. Previously, players could be traded after the July 31 deadline if they cleared waivers, allowing teams to move them. The rules for this process were complex but have since been simplified with the elimination of the August waiver trade period.

Ryan Watson was eligible to be traded since he wasn’t on the Orioles’ 40-man roster. He can still be added to the Giants’ 40-man roster and remains eligible for the playoffs, as he joined the organization before the end of August.

This trade might be aimed at adding pitching depth to the Giants’ upper minors. Watson, a 26-year-old pitcher, was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 39th round of the 2016 draft but didn’t sign. He later joined the Orioles as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

In his four minor league seasons, Watson has posted a 4.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, and a 2.98 SO/W rate while serving as a swingman. His 2022 season was particularly strong, with a 3.44 ERA in 27 appearances (18 starts), 108 strikeouts, and only 29 walks over 107.1 innings, earning him Baltimore’s minor league Pitcher of the Year honors.

Watson features a low-to-mid 90s four-seam fastball, complemented by a curveball, slider, and occasional splitter. His curveball has two-plane movement, and his slider sweeps across the plate. The four-seam fastball is his primary pitch, with the slider and curveball being used equally after that.

For now, Watson will add pitching depth to the minors, but moves like this can eventually impact the 40-man roster.