Giants Acquire AJ Pollock and Mark Mathias in Trade with Mariners
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants made a move to bolster their outfield depth on Monday, acquiring outfielder AJ Pollock and infielder Mark Mathias from the Seattle Mariners. The Giants also received cash considerations in the trade, while the Mariners will receive a player to be named later or additional cash considerations.
The acquisition comes as the Giants deal with injuries to outfielders Mitch Haniger and Thairo Estrada, who are both sidelined with fractures. With Mike Yastrzemski expected to miss two to three weeks with a left hamstring strain, Pollock should provide immediate help filling the void.
Pollock, a former All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner, has struggled at the plate this season, slashing .173/.225/.323 with five home runs in 49 games for the Mariners. However, the 35-year-old veteran has an impressive career OPS of .838 against left-handed pitching, making him a valuable asset for the Giants.
While Pollock is currently on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, the Giants believe he could be activated on Tuesday if he performs well during pregame drills. Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi expressed confidence in Pollock, stating, “We still think he has a lot in the tank.”
Zaidi has a history with Pollock from their time together with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants executive had discussions with Pollock before he signed with the Mariners in the offseason. Zaidi believes that Pollock’s relationships with former Dodgers teammates Joc Pederson, Alex Wood, and Ross Stripling will help him transition smoothly to San Francisco.
In addition to Pollock, the Giants also acquired 28-year-old Mark Mathias from the Mariners. Mathias, a versatile player capable of playing multiple positions, appeared in 22 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season before being claimed off waivers by Seattle. The Giants have optioned Mathias to Triple-A Sacramento but may call him up in the near future.
Zaidi spoke highly of Mathias, highlighting his strong plate discipline and ability to hit left-handed pitching. The Giants have been focused on improving the quality of at-bats from the bottom third of their lineup, making Mathias a potential solution.
Overall, the Giants believe that the additions of Pollock and Mathias will help strengthen their outfield and provide much-needed depth during the absence of key players. With their sights set on a deep postseason run, the Giants are hopeful that these acquisitions will contribute to their success down the stretch.