SF Giants add veteran reliever in trade with Seattle Mariners

The SF Giants won Sunday's game, so Farhan Zaidi celebrated by calling up his old pal, Jerry DiPoto, to see what his plans were for the evening. By the end of the conversation, the Giants had acquired reliever Mike Baumann in a trade with the Seattle Mariners, per the team's transaction log.

SF Giants add veteran reliever in trade with Seattle Mariners

The Giants sent over cash considerations to complete the deal. Baumann was placed on waivers over the weekend, but he did not have to wait long to have his status resolved. The move puts the Giants' 40-man roster at 39.

The 28-year-old reliever does not have any minor league options remaining, so the Giants will need to make a corresponding roster move. This could also be a temporary move in case San Francisco needs some innings covered in the four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week.

The Giants do expect both Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb to return shortly with the possibility that the former could return during this upcoming series. That would require a move on the 40-man roster and active roster, so any player on the roster bubble such as Baumann could be put on waivers.

Baumann was originally a third-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2017 draft out of Jacksonville University. In six minor league seasons, he has pitched to a 3.07 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, and a 2.50 SO/W rate while working primarily out of the rotation. That said, he has seen more time in the bullpen in recent seasons.

The right-handed pitcher has tallied a solid 3.29 ERA in three seasons in Triple-A. Despite this, he has struggled during his time in the majors. In parts of four seasons split between the Orioles and Mariners, Baumann has posted a 4.57 ERA across 143.2 innings. This includes a 4.41 ERA in 31 outings in 2024.

On the mound, Baumann does have a starter's arsenal with a mid-90's four-seam fastball that he pairs with a knuckle curve, slider, and a changeup. The knuckle curve and slider have been quality offerings in the past, but he has not found that consistency to stick.

For the time being, Baumann will likely work out of the Giants bullpen. The bullpen has been worked extensively in 2024, so it does not hurt to take a flyer on a fresher arm.