San Francisco Giants: 2001 MLB trade deadline review

In the days leading up to this year’s MLB trade deadline, we’ll take a look back at San Francisco Giants deadlines past. Next up, the 2001 trade deadline.

The San Francisco Giants had a 43-37 record entering the month of July during the 2001 season, which left them facing a six-game deficit in the NL West.

That sparked a busy month leading up to the trade deadline, with multiple moves made to upgrade the MLB roster. By the end of the month, they were 58-49 and had closed the gap to three games.

Here’s a look at their July activity:

July 4, 2001: RHP Brian Boehringer acquired from New York Yankees for C Bobby Estalella, RHP Joe Smith

As was the case the previous season, upgrading the bullpen was a focal point for the Giants.

Brian Boehringer ended up finishing fifth on the team with 29 appearances, posting a 4.19 ERA with one save and two holds in 34.1 innings of work. He departed in free agency during the offseason and landed in Pittsburgh.

Bobby Estalella continued on as a fringe backup catcher and it’s not that Joe Smith, so the Giants didn’t give up much in the deal.

July 24, 2001: 1B Andres Galarraga acquired from Texas Rangers for RHP Erasmo Ramirez, OF Chris Magruder, RHP Todd Ozias

Looking to bolster the first base position with J.T. Snow battling injury, the Giants acquired 40-year-old Andres Galarraga.

While he was hitting just .235 with a .734 OPS and 10 home runs at the time of the trade, the veteran slugger went on to bat .288/.351/.513 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 49 games in San Francisco.

Chris Magruder saw some time in the majors as a fourth outfielder and it was not that Erasmo Ramirez, so this was again a relatively small price to pay for a productive rental.

July 27, 2001: RHP Wayne Gomes acquired from Philadelphia Phillies for UT Felipe Crespo

An oft-used reliever for the Phillies throughout the late 1990s, Wayne Gomes appeared in 13 games with the Giants and posted an unsightly 8.40 ERA and 1.87 WHIP in 15 innings. The 28-year-old pitched one more season with the Boston Red Sox following his stint in San Francisco before retiring.

Felipe Crespo, 28, was hitting .197 with a .680 OPS over 78 plate appearances serving in a utility role at the time of the trade.

July 30, 2001: RHP Jason Schmidt, OF John Vander Wal acquired from Pittsburgh Pirates for OF Armando Rios, RHP Ryan Vogelsong

Simply put, this turned out to be one of the best trades in San Francisco Giants history.

Jason Schmidt immediately turned a corner following the trade, going 7-1 with a 3.39 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. That was enough for the Giants to give him a four-year, $30 million deal that included a club option for 2006. During that time, he emerged as one of the best pitchers in the NL and the ace of the staff.

The 35-year-old Vander Wal had an .834 OPS with 11 home runs at the time of the trade, and he hit .252/.370/.374 with 10 extra-base hits in 167 plate appearances in San Francisco.

Armando Rios never lived up to his billing as a top prospect and Ryan Vogelsong struggled in Pittsburgh before eventually making his way back to the Giants.

July 31, 2001: LHP Jason Christiansen acquired from St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Kevin Joseph, cash

Jason Christiansen was lights out after following this deadline day trade, posting a 1.59 ERA with seven holds in 25 appearances.

That was enough for the Giants to sign him to a new three-year, $6.8 million deal during the offseason.

Summary

Despite the busy trade deadline and a 90-72 record, the San Francisco Giants finished second in the NL West and three games back in the NL wild-card race.

While they missed the postseason, the Jason Schmidt trade had a long-term impact on the franchise, which made it all well worthwhile.

Check back here in the days and weeks to come for more San Francisco Giants trade deadline reviews, all culminating in what promises to be a busy 2019 deadline.