SF Giants trade LHP Sam Long to Athletics for cash considerations

The SF Giants have traded left-handed pitcher Sam Long to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash considerations, according to a press release by the A's. The Giants designated Long for assignment on Thursday after acquiring outfielder Cal Stevenson in a minor trade with the A's. In the end, the Giants essentially have traded Long for Stevenson.

We have acquired LHP Sam Long from the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/ukuxJKo0Dz
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 24, 2023

Before he was designated for assignment, Long had posted a 9.90 ERA across four appearances with the Giants Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento. Long also struggled in 5.2 innings pitched with San Francisco during big-league spring training, allowing seven runs on 11 hits and three walks.

Long was a revelation back in the spring of 2021. Long had been released by the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and briefly pursued EMS certification before deciding to give pro baseball another shot. Long discovered newfound velocity upon his return and flashed a mid-90s fastball, above-average changeup, and plus curveball.

Long dominated the upper minors in 2021, recording a 2.34 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched with 55 strikeouts and 13 walks between Double-A and Triple-A, eventually forcing his way to the big-league roster. Long showed some flashes, but his fastball velocity regressed alongside the rest of his arsenal. He posted a 5.53 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 15 walks in 40.2 innings of work (12 appearances).

The Giants moved Long to the bullpen last season, and he appeared in 28 games with the big-league club. While he finished the year with a 3.61 ERA, there were several warning signs that his performance was unsustainable. Long only racked up 33 strikeouts in 42.1 innings and ERA estimators like FIP (5.07), xERA (4.28), and xFIP (4.68) all suggested he may have benefited from batted-ball luck.

Nevertheless, the Athletics are likely gambling on Long's ability to improve his velocity in more abbreviated outings. Even though the Giants have used him out of the bullpen over the past two seasons, he has consistently been stretched into multi-inning outings. At this point in his career, Long seems best suited for a more traditional relief role.

Stevenson checks a lot of boxes that the Giants have targeted on the fringes of the 40-man roster under president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. Stevenson has an excellent approach and has walked more than he's struck out in his minor-league career. He has above-average speed and is capable of playing all three outfield positions.

The biggest question facing Stevenson's future is his power. The Fremont, California native lacks average power potential and has struggled to drive the ball throughout his time in the minors. Over his Triple-A career, Stevenson has hit .289/.397/.414 with 51 walks and 57 strikeouts in 336 plate appearances. A left-handed hitter, he also has noticeable platoon splits, consistently performing better against righties.