Giants Trade C Johnny Monell to Orioles

February 20, 2013; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Johnny Monell (79) poses for a picture during photo day at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this week it was announced that the San Francisco Giants DFA’d catcher Johnny Monell and outfielder Francisco Peguero. Today it was reported that Monell had been traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations as reported by Alex Pavlovic.

When a player is designated for assignment (DFA), the organization essentially removes that player from their 40-man roster. Typically this is done to make room for someone else. In this case, Monell and Peguero made room for LHP Jose De Paula and RHP Erik Cordier. Once the player is removed from the roster, the team has 10 days to put them back on the 40-man roster or do one of the following:

• Release the player
• Trade the player
• Place on waivers (for another team to pick up)
• Send back to the minors (only if the player clears waivers)

In this case, Monell was traded for cash. No word yet on how much cash. Given that he was DFA’s, it probably won’t be very much, but hopefully it will add a little more cash to the budget to go after an everyday left fielder.

Monell played in 8 games with the Giants in 2013. He hit .125 in just 9 plate appearances. The 27 year old faired much better in AAA Fresno, hitting .275 with 20 home runs. However, given his age, and the fact that the Giants are covered at catcher with Buster Posey and Hector Sanchez for the foreseeable future, it makes sense to get what they can out of him.

No word yet on Peguero’s fate.