SF Giants add former Padres, Tigers pitcher to a minor league deal

The SF Giants recently added some experienced pitching depth to the organization. Former San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers reliever Miguel Díaz has agreed to a minor league deal according to the team's transaction log.

SF Giants add former Padres, Tigers pitcher to a minor league deal

Presumably, this deal will include a camp invite as Díaz has appeared in parts of seven seasons in the majors. Much of the Giants' work this offseason has been adding experienced bullpen depth in the upper minors.

Díaz joins pitchers like Ethan Small, Kai-Wei Teng, Antonio Jimenez, and Ramond Burgos who have joined or rejoined the organization this winter. Plus, they also added Carson Ragsdale and Carson Seymour to the 40-man roster. There should be some competition in camp if a bullpen spot is available.

Injuries happen so it is tough to project what the Opening Day bullpen might look like. However, there is a good chance that many of the spots are filled with Ryan Walker, Tyler Rogers, Taylor Rogers, Sean Hjelle, Camilo Doval, and Erik Miller. Spencer Bivens, Tristan Beck, and Randy Rodríguez could look to compete for spots as well.

The bullpen could have more length than it has had in recent years, so Díaz joins a crowded mix on a non-guaranteed pact. He was originally signed as an international free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers out of the Dominican Republic in 2011.

Since then, he has bounced around a few organizations. This includes stops with the Padres, Tigers, and Houston Astros organizations.

In 12 minor league seasons, the right-handed pitcher has posted a 3.93 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, and a 2.42 SO/W ratio. This includes a 2024 season in which he tallied a 4.30 ERA in 46 Triple-A inning split between the Tigers and Astros organizations.

Díaz has also seen considerable time in the majors. He debuted with the Padres in 2017 and has appeared in every season since then with the exception of the pandemic-shortened year in 2020. During that time, he has recorded a 4.81 ERA, 4.97 FIP, 1.35 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, and a 2.06 SO/W rate in 88 career appearances.

On the mound, the 30-year-old pitcher features a mid 90's four-seam fastball that he pairs with a changeup, slider, sweeper, and occasional sinker. The four-seamer has been tough to hit as opposing hitters have never posted a batting average above .242 against it in any season.