As the trade deadline inched closer, it seemed the Giants’ intentions drifted further from their publicized goal to acquire relief help. Rumors floated out connecting the Giants to starters like Jeremy Hellickson and hitters like Jay Bruce.
Then came the declaration from general manager Bobby Evans on Sunday that the Giants “cannot be singular” in their scope of the trade market. Every option outside of the bullpen would be considered, largely because of high prices in a shrinking relief market.
So just as the 1 p.m. trade deadline passed on Monday, the Giants settled on a stunner. They acquired starting pitcher Matt Moore in exchange for Matt Duffy, infield prospect Lucius Fox and right-hander Michael Santos.
Now with a pitcher moving into a full roation, where does that leave the futures of Matt Cain or Jake Peavy?
“We have two guys we value high in Cain and Peavy,” Evans said on a Monday conference call. “I don’t want to predetermine anything at this point.”
He’ll speak with manager Bruce Bochy about how the rotation will shake up, but the timing isn’t perfect. Moore was supposed to start Tuesday on normal rest. Cain and Peavy just helped the Giants win back-to-back games for the first time in the second half, and now one seems destined for a relief role.It’s possible Moore could pitch Thursday behind Cueto, allowing the Giants to alternate lefty-righty-lefty-righty atop their rotation.
As the Giants barrel through the pennant race, they couldn’t help but keep an eye on the future. Moore’s under contract through 2019 while Peavy is slated to hit free agency this winter.
“I got off the phone with Bobby and told him I’m ready to go tomorrow,” Moore told MLB.com. “But I think they still have a few things to figure out with their guys. As far as the playoffs and things like that, it’s a lot of excitement. It’s what we play for, the moments we want to be in.”
The left-hander’s contract is built off a series of affordable team options, much like Madison Bumgarner. Moore will make $26 million at most over the next three years while Cain’s due $21 million just next season. He balances the Giants right-handed rotation with a lefty to complement Bumgarner, a cushion that might soften the blow for Bochy demoting an accomplished veteran.
“We need to evaluate what our game plan is,” Evans said. “Ultimately we have a clubhouse full of guys who want to win. … In terms of how roles gets redefined or changed, it’s still to be determined.”
Moore’s numbers don’t spell out a fantastic season, but much like the Giants’ other top starters, he pitches deep into games. He’s averaged almost 6 1/3 innings per start despite an underwhelming 4.08 ERA. That includes a recent hot stretch where he’s pitched to the tune of a 1.99 ERA over his last six starts.
It’s no secret Moore’s best season came in a 17-4 campaign three years ago, and it’s been turbulent ever since going down with Tommy John surgery in 2014. But clearly there’s belief he’ll flourish in the pitcher-friendly ballparks of the NL West and under the tutelage of Bochy and Dave Righetti.
The Giants bet Matt Duffy on that premise, one that Moore has three and a half more years to help come to fruition.
“(Control) certainly affects what you give up,” Evans said of acquiring Moore. “For us it does provide an additional benefit where we can look beyond 2016 and I think that only makes us stronger.”