Mariners package former SF Giants starting pitcher in trade with Twins
The Seattle Mariners traded former SF Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, reliever Jesus Topa, and a pair of young prospects to the Minnesota Twins for infielder Jorge Polanco. The Mariners are also sending some cash to Minnesota. It is the second time this offseason that DeSclafani has been traded this offseason. The Giants traded DeSclafani to the Mariners with outfielder Mitch Haniger for 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray.
SF Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani pitches against the Cubs. (2023)
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
DeSclafani is entering the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract and hopes to set himself up for free agency. However, the Giants and Mariners have each agreed to retain half of his salary on their books. Polanco's contract, which will pay him a $10.5 million salary in 2024. Polanco will immediately slot into the Mariners' lineup as their everyday second baseman while DeSclafani and Topa slot into the Twins' pitching staff.
The trade addresses needs of both organizations. The Mariners have a deep pitching staff and it was unclear whether DeSclafani would be in the Opening Day rotation. Meanwhile, the Twins had a glut of productive offensive infielders with multiple holes in the team's projected rotation and bullpen.
Prospects Gabriel Gonzalez and Darren Brown have the potential to become the most impactful pieces in the deal down the line. Gonzalez was especially impressive last season, crushing Single-A pitching before he was promoted to High-A in his age-19 campaign.
DeSclafani is coming off an up-and-down 2023 season. He got off to an excellent start, recording a 2.70 ERA with 27 strikeouts and just three walks across 30 innings pitched in his first five starts. However, perhaps induced by an elbow injury that would end his season, DeSclafani's performance fell off a cliff when the calendar turned to May. Ultimately, he finished the season with a 4.88 ERA (4.38 FIP), 79 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 99.2 innings pitched (19 appearances).
Set to turn 34 in April, the Twins will hope DeSclafani can reestablish himself as a quality mid-rotation starter next season.DeSclafani, of course, was a key contributor during the Giants 107-win campaign in 2021. In arguably the best season of his career, he posted a 3.17 ERA in 167.2 innings pitched across 32 starts with two complete game shutouts.
Over the past two years, though, DeSclafani has seen his on-field performance regress as he's dealt with several injuries. From 2022-2023, DeSclafani has appeared in just 24 games and struggled to a 5.16 ERA (4.43 FIP) in 118.2 innings pitched with 96 strikeouts, 24 walks, and 19 home runs allowed.
