Mets designate former SF Giants slugger Darin Ruf for assignment
Darin Ruf was arguably the best hitter on the SF Giants from 2020-2021. However, things have not gone well for the 36-year-old right-handed bat since the start of last season, particularly following a midseason trade to the New York Mets. After struggling to a .167/.265/.233 triple-slash throughout spring training, Ruf was designated for assignment by the Mets on Sunday. He will likely clear waivers in the next week and become a free agent.
SF Giants outfielder Darin Ruf holds a bat while waiting in the on-deck circle. (2022)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants acquired a four-player package for Ruf at last year's deadline, adding corner bat J.D. Davis alongside a trio of pitching prospects (Thomas Szapucki, Carson Seymour, and Nick Zwack). Given how things have played out since that trade could go down as one of the best in Farhan Zaidi's tenure as the team's president of baseball operations.
The Mets tried playing Ruf solely against left-handed pitching to let him take advantage of his platoon advantage, but he was still unable to escape a slump in 2022. Ruf appeared in 28 games with the Mets and recorded just 10 hits in 66 at-bats. DFA Ruf was momentarily trending on Twitter as Mets fans expressed frustration with the slugger, particularly as he received at-bats over some well-regarded prospects. Ultimately, he finished the season with a .152/.216/.197 triple-slash and was relegated to pinch-hitting duties.
Ruf's contract guaranteed him $3 million in 2023. Ironically, it's the team control in his contract that likely enticed the Mets to part with so many pieces to acquire Ruf last year. However, they will have to pay that entire salary unless he is claimed off waivers. If Ruf ends up landing on another big-league roster, that team would offset a pro-rated minimum salary amount of his contract.
Davis immediately slotted into the Giants lineup and posted an .857 OPS with eight home runs to finish the season. Szapucki thrived after a move to the bullpen, posting a 1.08 ERA with a 44.1% strikeout rate at Triple-A alongside a 1.98 ERA in 10 MLB appearances. Seymour had a 13-strikeout outing and with a 3.68 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched for the Giants High-A Eugene affiliate. Lefty Nick Zwack also recorded a 3.99 ERA with 11 strikeouts per nine innings in six starts with Eugene. The SF Giants got all that for Ruf.
