When the Texas Rangers designated reliever Sam Dyson for assignment in late May, a small handful of clubs looking to stock their bullpens for a run at the postseason reportedly expressed interest.
That’s why it came as a surprise when Dyson landed with the San Francisco Giants, a team that already dropped off the playoff radar in the National League and a franchise that spent $62 million on a closer this offseason.
Regardless of the reported interest in Dyson, though, club executives were likely skeptical of his precipitous fall from grace, as a closer who finished third in the American League in saves last season posted a 10.80 earned run average and blew all four save opportunities in his first 17 appearances with the Rangers this season.
The problem for contenders? If Dyson continued to struggle, he could stand in the way of a few victories. By the time Dyson arrived in San Francisco, he stood in the way of nothing.
After a near-perfect World Baseball Classic in which Dyson threw six hitless innings in five outings for Team USA, Dyson completely lost his way upon his return to Texas, and became the most significant liability for a Rangers team that began leaking oil early.
When the Giants acquired Dyson, manager Bruce Bochy said he was hopeful a “change of scenery” would work in Dyson’s favor, because catcher Buster Posey offered a glowing recommendation of his Team USA battery-mate and Dyson’s power sinker.
In Dyson’s first appearance in orange and black, though, his miserable start to the year continued. With the Giants leading the Minnesota Twins, 13-5, Dyson entered to protect an eight-run lead, and promptly allowed all four hitters he faced to reach base. Though an infield hit and an error hurt Dyson’s cause, the ominous start to his career suggested his troubles followed him along in his suitcases after he was asked to pack his bags in Arlington.
After the Giants managed to hold on in a 13-8 win, Bochy continued to express confidence in Dyson, and lately, his belief in the 29-year-old reliever has paid off.
On Wednesday evening, Dyson recorded his third consecutive scoreless outing, throwing two perfect innings against an Atlanta Braves club looking for a chance to stage a late rally. The appearance marked the first true high-leverage situation of Dyson’s tenure with the Giants to date, and could inspire Bochy to make Dyson a mainstay at the back end of the Giants’ bullpen.
For a team that’s committed an average of more than $15 million over the next four seasons to Mark Melancon, the Giants’ decision to acquire Dyson may prove shrewd for a front office that has made a series of missteps in the past calendar year. After experiencing first-hand what a lack of bullpen depth can do to a team’s title hopes last season, the Giants appear willing to explore various options to keep their bullpen operating smoothly.
Even though San Francisco is 20 games under .500 in the month of June, using the second half of the season as an opportunity to expand the Dyson reclamation project and help Melancon become healthier and more comfortable in his role is imperative if the Giants hope to rebound in the immediate future. While trade rumors will likely follow Melancon throughout the month of July, if general manager Bobby Evans is committed to seeing his plan through, the Giants could have a pair of right-handers with closing experience ready to slam the door shut should outcomes matter more in 2018.
Pregame notes
- Eduardo Nunez is out of the lineup for the second straight day with a sore hamstring. Bochy told a group of reporters in Atlanta on Thursday that Nunez will see how he feels on Friday, and could be headed for a stint on the disabled list. If the Giants are forced to play without Nunez, expect the organization to call up infielder Conor Gillaspie, or third baseman Jae-Gyun Hwang, who has an opt-out clause in his contract if he is not on the Major League roster by July 1.
- Right-hander Jeff Samardzija gave the Giants their 40th quality start on Wednesday evening, the second-most in the Major Leagues behind Washington (47), by throwing seven innings and surrendering just three runs. However, Samardzija needed a ninth-inning pinch-hit home run off the bat of Hunter Pence to prevent him from becoming the first MLB pitcher with 10 losses this season.
- The Giants will sit Denard Span a night after Span reached base with three hits. Gorkys Hernandez will start in center field after appearing as a pinch hitter and flying out to center field in Wednesday’s ballgame.
