The San Francisco Giants have just acquired the services of pitcher Robbie Ray from the Seattle Mariners.
In return, the Californian team agreed to transfer Mitch Haniger and pitcher Anthony DeSclafani to the Mariners.
Let's just say it's an astonishing transaction. But since nothing is happening, we'll take it.
Ray is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. He should return to the game during the summer, but he certainly won't be there at the start of the season.
The club needed a starter and there they have one… but to do so, the Giants gave up one of their starters. Ah good.
Ray has better potential than DeSclafani, but the risk is greater. After all, he has a five-year, $115 million contract. There are three years left on his contract.
The Mariners will also receive money in the deal.
Ray is due to earn $73 million over the next three years. He has an exit option in a year, but I don't expect him to use it.
Ray signed with Seattle two years ago, immediately after winning the Cy Young with the Blue Jays. The Jays offered a contract to Kevin Gausman instead.
Gausman is ironically a Giants alum.
In the transaction, in addition to DeSclafani, the Mariners get their hands on Mitch Haniger. So he returned to Seattle after a year in California.
Note that the Mariners are also working to get their hands on Luke Raley in return for Jose Caballero.
Note that this does not take the Giants out of the race for big free agents on the mound. I guess Cody Bellinger is still a possibility too.
Let's see who wins the trade.
