The Giants made a trade. Technically.
On Monday, outfielder AJ Pollock and utility infielder with options, Mark Mathias, were acquired by San Francisco from the Seattle Mariners. In exchange the Giants will send over cash or a player to be named later.
It’s not the sexiest move, even if it does involve a former Dodger. If it’s the only thing the Giants do at the deadline, which is on Tuesday, it will look even less sexy.
So what is on Farhan’s mind here? Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic gave his take to Tolbert & Copes on Monday, saying that Zaidi is probably looking at Pollock’s track record vs. left-handed pitching.
“They’re looking for an outfielder who can give them a little protection in case Austin Slater goes down and gives them somebody else who can give them a matchup against a left-handed pitcher late in the game until Mitch Haniger comes back,” Baggs said on KNBR. “Pollack is a guy Farhan Zaidi knows very well from their time together with the Dodgers. He’s a guy who not long ago turned down like a $10 million option with the White Sox because he was that confident in his value, and obviously physically it’s been a challenge for him.”
Pollock, 35, has played in just 49 games this season while dealing with hamstring and leg injuries, and has not hit well, slashing .173/.225/.323. Somehow, he’s been even worse against lefties, going .141/.195/.183 from that side of the plate. For his career, however, Pollock is an accomplished hitter against lefties, slashing .277/.327/.512.
The Giants under Zaidi and Gabe Kapler have a track record of getting the best out of formally struggling players. Pollock also was an excellent player under that regime with the Dodgers. It makes sense San Francisco would believe he’s a solid buy low option.
“He is a guy who has a very good track record of hitting left-handed pitching,” Baggarly said. “The Giants use people in very specific roles. I guarantee you A.J. Pollack is not going to get 200 at-bats the rest of the year, but he is a guy who might fit what they’re looking for just in terms of somebody who can matchup against a lefty off the bench.”
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Catch Tolbert & Copes weekdays from 2 – 6 p.m. on KNBR 104.5 / 680 and streaming live on KNBR.com.