Casey McGehee likely gone as San Francisco Giants designate 3B for assignment, call up Ehire Adrianza
He did marginally better in spot time since his return from Triple-A earlier this month, but the writing has been on the wall for Casey McGehee since Matt Duffy took hold of the Giants’ starting third base job.
On Tuesday, the team did what it had to do, effectively cutting ties with the struggling McGehee by designating him for assignment a second time:
#SFGiants DFA McGehee, purchase Adrianza from Triple-A http://t.co/AF0yTRInTR #MLB #GiantsTalk pic.twitter.com/9dga6i5Qzj
— NBC Sports Bay Area & CA (@NBCSAuthentic) June 30, 2015
This time, the assignment should move McGehee off San Francisco’s 40-man roster, making his exit from the ball club all but official. Given his years logged in the MLB, the third baseman will be paid in full on his $4.8 million contract.
Hopes were high for 2014’s NL Comeback Player of the Year when he was acquired via trade in the winter, but a .213 batting average with limited power and no positional flexibility made this decision an easy one. A league-leading 15 GIDPs did McGehee no favors, either. Fittingly, his last at-bat in a Giants uniform last Saturday versus the Rockies ended in what had quickly become his signature in the orange and black.
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Though his lack of production didn’t gain him too many fans, the veteran conducted himself with class throughout his short tenure in San Francisco. McGehee openly supported Duffy’s promotion and even leveled with the discontented fans at AT&T Park. Particularly considering his roots in Northern California, it’s unfortunate that this match wasn’t more fruitful for both sides.
Taking McGehee’s place on the roster will be Ehire Adrianza, a name most Giants fans should be familiar with. The 25-year-old infielder appeared in 53 games for the team last season, hitting .237 with five RBI and 10 runs. He’s swung a hot bat for the Rivercats this year with a .316/.384/.415 slash line through 44 games.