Giants land Robbie Ray from Mariners in long awaited splash

The Giants finally made an offseason splash. After whiffing on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on top of past failed free agency bids, the Giants acquired lefty Robbie Ray from the Mariners in a two for one deal, the team announced Friday . The Mariners are receiving outfielder Mitch Haniger, starter Anthony DeSclafani and cash.

San Francisco has been desperately trying to upgrade its roster after missing the playoffs each of the last two years, and this trade marks a significant pivot after Ohtani and Yamamoto both chose the Dodgers. Ray, when healthy, is one the top lefty starters in the sport, but he underwent Tommy John surgery after making just one start last season and ESPN reported that he’s expected back after the All Star break.

The Giants clearly envision Ray, the 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner, as a strong complement to their incumbent ace Logan Webb. Ray, 32, has three years and $73 million remaining on the five year, $115 million contract he signed with the Mariners before the 2022 season. He can opt out of the last year of his deal and forego the $25 million owed to him.

Ray posted a career best 2.84 ERA in 2021 with the Blue Jays, but went 12 12 with a 3.71 ERA in his first season in Seattle before making that one start last year. To land Ray, the Giants jettisoned Haniger and DeSclafani. Haniger is returning to Seattle, where he played from 2017 22. The 33 year old has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, playing in a total of 118 games over the last two years and just 61 last season.

Haniger hit .209 with a .631 OPS in 2023. He signed a three year, $43 million deal with the Giants prior to last offseason, and has two years and $32.5 million left on his contract, though he has a player option for 2025. DeSclafani figures to slot into Ray’s spot in the rotation, and has one year and $12 million remaining on his contract.

The righty went 4 8 with a 4.88 ERA last season and has posted a 5.16 ERA over the last two seasons, but posted a 3.17 ERA in 2021. It would appear the Mariners, who also traded Jarred Kelenic to the Braves this offseason , are prioritizing long term financial flexibility over contention in 2024..