The Giants positioned second baseman Thairo Estrada and lefty relievers Taylor Rogers and Tyler Matzek on waivers, report Grant Brisbee and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. They’re the most recent veteran gamers recognized to hit the waiver wire as fringe contenders try to dump some wage.
Estrada, Rogers and Matzek weren’t designated for project. They will proceed to play for the Giants pending decision of the waiver course of. In the event that they go unclaimed, San Francisco can (and fairly possible will) merely preserve them on the roster for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, waivers are irrevocable. If one other group locations a declare on anybody, the Giants would not have the flexibility to rescind the position.
After all, the Giants wouldn’t have positioned the gamers on waivers in the event that they weren’t hoping one other group made a declare. That is strictly a transfer to attempt to shed payroll. Estrada in all probability stands the very best likelihood of the group to be claimed. He’s enjoying on a $4.7MM arbitration wage. There’ll be roughly $810K to be paid from tomorrow via the top of the season.
The 28-year-old Estrada is mostly nicely regarded for his defensive acumen. Defensive Runs Saved has by no means been eager on his efficiency, however he grades very extremely by Statcast’s Outs Above Common. Whereas that hasn’t modified this yr, his offense has fallen off a cliff. Estrada was a median or higher hitter throughout his first three seasons with the Giants, combining for a .266/.320/.416 slash. He topped 20 stolen bases and drilled 14 homers apiece in 2022 and ’23.
This season, Estrada has been one of many worst hitters within the sport. He sports activities a .216/.246/.345 line via 374 plate appearances. Whereas that’s partially because of a career-low .245 common on balls in play, Estrada has by no means walked a lot or had notably sturdy batted ball metrics. Amongst hitters with 300+ plate appearances, solely Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall have a decrease on-base share.
That efficiency makes it possible the Giants will transfer on from Estrada subsequent offseason even when he sticks on the roster for the rest of the yr. He’d be due a small increase on this yr’s wage, possible into the $5-6MM vary. The Giants have evidently decided they have been going to say no to tender him a contract, so that they’ll make him out there to different groups a month earlier to see if they’ll shed the ultimate month of his 2024 wage.
Rogers is having a a lot better season than Estrada, however he’d be a far costlier pickup. The veteran southpaw is within the second season of a three-year, $33MM free agent deal. It’s a backloaded contract that pays him $12MM this yr and subsequent. He’ll be due a bit of greater than $2MM for the ultimate month of the season. A claiming group would additionally want to soak up his $12MM wage for the ’25 season. That isn’t an outlandish quantity for a reliever of Rogers’ caliber however represents a hefty sum to tackle through midseason waiver declare.
The 33-year-old Rogers is a former All-Star nearer with the Twins. He has remained efficient over his two seasons in San Francisco. After delivering a 3.83 earned run common throughout 51 2/3 innings a yr in the past, he carries a 2.45 mark in 51 1/3 frames this season. Rogers has fanned an above-average 28.2% of opponents towards a stable 7.7% stroll price. He has been typically stable all yr but hasn’t pitched his approach into first-year supervisor Bob Melvin’s circle of belief.
By measure of leverage index, Rogers has been eighth on San Francisco’s bullpen hierarchy (amongst relievers with at the least 10 innings). That hasn’t modified all through the season regardless of Rogers’ numbers. It’s comprehensible the Giants wouldn’t need to pay $12MM subsequent season to a reliever whom Melvin feels is finest suited within the center innings.
Matzek is essentially the most reasonably priced of the trio. Acquired from the Braves as a wage offset within the Jorge Soler deadline deal, he’s enjoying on a $1.9MM contract. Matzek was on the injured listing on the time of the commerce and hasn’t thrown a pitch as a Large. He missed all of final yr recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure. Matzek returned this season earlier than touchdown again on the IL in Might with elbow irritation.
The 33-year-old southpaw had a troublesome first month in Atlanta, giving up 11 runs over 10 frames. The Giants despatched him to Triple-A on a rehab stint a pair weeks in the past. He has made 5 appearances, permitting 4 runs via 4 2/3 innings. Matzek ought to have the ability to return in September, although it’s not clear if a contender is prepared to plug him into their bullpen after a five-month layoff.
Matzek is due round $330K for the remainder of the yr. His deal incorporates a $5.5MM group choice for subsequent season with no buyout. That’s unlikely to be exercised by the Giants or a hypothetical claiming group.
