Fastball

Intriguing Bullpen Option Holding Showcase For Clubs on Friday

Ken Giles, who has registered 115 career saves, is a free agent and is holding a showcase for interested teams on Friday. He's pitched for the Phillies, Astros, Blue Jays and Mariners.
Brady Farkas|
Intriguing Bullpen Option Holding Showcase For Clubs on Friday
Intriguing Bullpen Option Holding Showcase For Clubs on Friday

In this story:

New York YankeesBoston Red SoxBaltimore OriolesToronto Blue JaysTampa Bay RaysSeattle MarinersLos Angeles AngelsHouston AstrosTexas RangersOakland AthleticsChicago White SoxCleveland GuardiansMinnesota TwinsKansas City RoyalsDetroit TigersNew York MetsWashington NationalsAtlanta BravesMiami MarlinsPhiladelphia PhilliesChicago CubsSt. Louis CardinalsPittsburgh PiratesMilwaukee BrewersLos Angeles DodgersArizona DiamondbacksColorado RockiesSan Diego PadresSan Francisco Giants

Former star reliever Ken Giles is holding a workout for interested teams on Friday. 

Giles, 32, has dealt with injury issues over the last few years. He missed most of 2020 and 2021 with Tommy John Surgery and came back to make five appearances for the Mariners last season before being designated for assignment.

He held a workout this spring and worked out for the Padres but ultimately remained a free agent and will try his hand again tomorrow.

According to an MLBTradeRumors article that cites the initial report by Jon Heyman, Giles has been working out for the last five weeks with Driveline. If Driveline can help him find his former form, he would be worth a flier for contending teams looking for bullpen help, or a non-contending team looking for an asset to flip at the trade deadline.

Giles has appeared in the majors in eight different seasons with the Phillies (2014-15), Astros (2016-18), Blue Jays (2018-2020) and Mariners (2022). He helped the Astros win the 2017 World Series and has registered 115 career saves. He saved a career-high 34 games in 2017.

He owns lifetime 2.71 ERA and a 12.3 k/9.

Giles isn't the only intriguing reliever available potentially. Just yesterday, we heard that the Kansas City Royals are receiving trade interest in former Yankees reliever Aroldis Chapman. 

Because of the expanded playoff format, there will be more teams in the mix. As a result, there will be less clear sellers (like the Royals), so someone like Giles, who is a free agent, figures to have a strong market.

Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.

You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/News