The Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants have struck a notable three-player deal, as confirmed by CBS Sports HQ’s Jim Bowden. Former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray headlines the trade, heading to the Giants, while outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani are set to join the Mariners. Additionally, the Mariners are actively finalizing another trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Robbie Ray, a key figure in the trade, is making a move to the Giants after an injury-ridden 2023 season that saw him limited to a single start before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Expected to return in the second half of the 2024 season, Ray boasts an impressive resume, winning the AL Cy Young in 2021 with the Blue Jays. Under contract until 2026, he carries a $73 million salary obligation.
On the Seattle side, the Mariners welcome back Mitch Haniger, who spent five seasons with them before joining the Giants in December 2022. Haniger, in his age-32 season, posted a .209/.266/.365 slash line with six home runs in 61 games. DeSclafani, a 33-year-old right-hander, contributed 18 starts and one relief appearance for the Giants last season, recording a 4.88 ERA and a 3.95 K/BB ratio. The Mariners will also receive cash considerations as part of the deal.
In a parallel trade with the Rays, outfielder Luke Raley, known for hitting 19 home runs in his first full season with Tampa Bay, is set to join the Mariners. In exchange, the Rays will acquire infielder José Caballero. Caballero, a 26-year-old rookie last season, displayed versatility across shortstop, second base, third base, and left field while slashing .221/.343/.320 with 26 stolen bases in 104 games.
The Giants’ motivation for the trade lies in securing a reliable No. 2 in Ray to complement ace Logan Webb and Ross Stripling in the rotation. While they face stiff competition from the NL West-dominating Dodgers, the addition of Ray positions them favorably for a wild-card contention in the upcoming season.
Conversely, the Mariners, blessed with a surplus of young, controllable starting pitching, strategically trade a key rotation piece in Ray. DeSclafani could seamlessly fit into the fifth-starter role or serve as a versatile bullpen option and spot starter. Haniger’s return offers flexibility in the outfield, where he may feature in a platoon situation or assume the primary right fielder role.
Questions loom over the Mariners’ commitment to building a competitive roster, with skepticism surrounding potential further activity. However, the move to unload Ray’s salary obligations could potentially open doors for additional transactions, keeping an eye on potential pursuits like free agent Blake Snell. The Mariners’ spending habits, though, are met with warranted skepticism when it comes to competing at the level of a contender.