The San Francisco Giants made a notable transaction over the weekend, trading 31-year-old right-handed reliever Garza to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. This move might seem minor on the surface, but it speaks volumes about the Giants’ current roster landscape and their depth in pitching.
Garza, who was originally signed to a minor league deal in 2024, never found a spot on the Giants’ 40-man roster, meaning the Mets will have the option to evaluate him before making any immediate roster decisions. Last season, his performance was commendable, boasting a 3.60 ERA over 39 appearances, mainly at the Triple-A level with the Sacramento River Cats, while also making two rehab outings with the San Jose Giants.
Drafted in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Guardians out of California State University at Fullerton, Garza has shown he can be effective during his nine minor league seasons, accumulating a respectable 4.59 ERA. After making his big league debut with the Guardians in 2021, where he posted a 4.71 ERA in 21 games, he had a brief stint with the Boston Red Sox after being claimed off waivers in 2023. Across his major league career, he has pitched a total of 47 innings, with an overall ERA of 5.74.
Despite receiving a camp invitation from the Giants this spring, Garza faced an uphill battle making the final roster. Ultimately, he was among the first cuts, and after being assigned to Sacramento, his numbers reflected a tough run, culminating in a 6.11 ERA across 19 outings before the trade unfolded.
Currently, the Giants are stacked with pitching talent at both the major league level and within the upper minors, and their staff has been performing exceptionally well this season, sitting second in the league with a 3.08 ERA. This league-leading performance might show why there was little room for Garza in their plans. The Mets, however, lead the MLB with a striking 2.87 ERA, which could also present its own challenges for Garza as he looks to carve out a role in New York.
As for the Giants, this trade reflects a commitment to maintaining a strong pitching depth while navigating player development. For Garza, the road ahead is filled with new opportunities, and while he may have his work cut out for him, a fresh start with the Mets might just be the right chance to revive his career.
