SF Giants Trade Catcher Rob Brantly to New York Yankees

The SF Giants made another minor move as the August 31st MLB trade deadline approaches. The team shipped catcher Rob Brantly to the New York Yankees for cash.

After making their first official midseason trade this weekend, the SF Giants dipped back into the minor trade market on Wednesday morning dealing from their depth to the New York Yankees.

The Giants signed Brantly back in January to a minor-league deal to compete with acquisitions Tyler Heineman and Chadwick Tromp to be Buster Posey‘s primary backup. Of course, that situation never fully materialized.

The COVID-19 pandemic suspended the start of the MLB season and ultimately led Posey to sit out for the entirety of the season, which opened up the competition for Brantly, Heineman, and Tromp for the starting spot.

Brantly was the only option with substantial major league experience. While he’s never been known for his bat, his framing and defense have always graded out as well above-average. Over parts of 6 seasons, he’s received 432 plate appearances but managed just a .228/.292/.330 slash-line.

However, Heineman and Tromp seemed to separate themselves from Brantly during the team’s second summer camp. Tromp suffered a minor injury to start the season and Brantly began the season as Heineman’s primary backup. He received one start and went 0 for 3 before Tromp was fully healthy and able to return.

Since Brantly was assigned to the team’s alternate site in Sacramento where he got to work with the other Giants catching options.

Now that the team has promoted top catching prospect, Joey Bart, to the major-league level, Brantly has been buried on the depth chart and helps give the Yankees more insurance if Gary Sanchez or current back Erik Kratz miss extended time.