Alex Pavlovic and Cole Kuiper discuss the Giants’ potential trade targets to solidify the back end of their bullpen.
A few days after they designated right-hander Matt Wisler for assignment, the Giants dealt him for additional minor league pitching depth Friday. The Giants shipped Wisler and cash considerations to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for left-handed prospect Michael Plassmeyer, who will report to Double-A Richmond.
Plassmeyer, 24, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round in 2018 but was traded to the Rays that offseason. In 45 professional appearances, he has a 2.23 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and averages exactly one strikeout per inning while limiting home runs and walks. He had made seven appearances in Double-A this season -- including three starts -- and had a 3.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
Plassmeyer was not ranked among Tampa Bay's top 30 prospects this season, but did come in at No. 30 on Baseball America's list in 2020. They viewed him as a potential No. 5 starter at the time, noting he has excellent control but not overwhelming stuff. For the Giants, this adds another arm to a farm system that has seen huge gains on the pitching side this season but still needs additional starting depth. It seems to be a solid return for a reliever who was DFA'd.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
The flip side of this is that the Giants might now watch Wisler find success after two months of struggling in San Francisco. There isn't a team that does a better job of rehabilitating pitchers than the Rays, and they have had an incredible track record recently with relievers. Wisler allowed 13 runs in 21 appearances for the Giants after signing in the offseason, but manager Gabe Kapler said earlier this week that he still believed in Wisler's talent, noting his strikeout rate was good and some other underlying statistics indicated he had been somewhat unlucky.
RELATED: Kuip reflects on outpouring of support
"I think he's good and I think he thinks he's good, but ultimately I think he understands that this game is about performance and we have a lot of competition for every roster spot," Kapler said Wednesday after Wisler was DFA'd.
The Giants couldn't carry him any longer. They need more consistency in their bullpen and have looked at Dominic Leone, Zack Littell and others in recent weeks, with Jimmie Sherfy also now on the roster.
San Francisco Giants
Find the latest San Francisco Giants news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Download and subscribe to the Giants Talk Podcast