|
|
Post by Rog on Dec 7, 2016 19:53:05 GMT -5
Surprise 2015 starter Chris Heston has been traded to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named. The Giants were going to designate Heston for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for reliever Mark Melancon, signed as a free agent Monday.
Never a top prospect, Heston was a very pleasant surprised at the start of the 2015 season when the Giants needed a starter due to injuries to Jake Peavy and Matt Cain. Heston went 12-11 with a 3.95 ERA and had an 11-5 record and a 3.14 ERA at the end of July. On June 9th, he pitched the Giants' fourth no-hitter in four years.
The league eventually caught up to Chris, and he didn't start a game in 2016, pitching just five relief innings and allowing six runs. Apparently the Giants felt lucky to get what they got from him in the first four months of 2015.
|
|
|
|
Post by rxmeister on Dec 8, 2016 8:07:41 GMT -5
Good luck to him in Seattle. Thanks for the no hitter, I was at the game and it was an amazing thrill. I was at the Bunning perfecto in 1964, so it was my second no hitter. I was kind of young to appreciate it though, plus I didn't have a rooting interest in either team, so this one was a huge thrill for me and my son. Thanks Chris!
|
|
|
|
Post by Islandboagie on Dec 8, 2016 11:58:31 GMT -5
I think the Giants could have kept Heston around for depth, but were aware that Heston had the opportunity to land with a team were he could possibly get the chance to start or be long relief. I like that the Giants are mindful of their players best interest.
|
|
|
|
Post by klaiggeb on Dec 8, 2016 13:28:29 GMT -5
I agree, Boagie. To have blocked his opportunity would have been cruel.
I mean, he was going NO WHERE with the prospect and staff we have.
Another + for Giant management.
boly
|
|
|
|
Post by Rog on Dec 8, 2016 14:51:42 GMT -5
I like the idea that the Giants would be mindful of others, although I read this somewhat differently. I was happy the Giants felt they had enough prospects that they couldn't fit Chris on the 40-man. Hopefully it was both.
|
|
|
|
Post by rxmeister on Dec 9, 2016 9:41:20 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm pretty sure this move was made to create a spot on the 40 man roster for Melancon. Not sure they were being nice guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by klaiggeb on Dec 9, 2016 10:54:47 GMT -5
You are most likely correct, Mark.
Still, they DIDN'T block the move and it's also possible they could have traded someone else instead of him to do so.
boly
|
|
|
|
Post by Rog on Dec 9, 2016 12:44:29 GMT -5
One good thing about not having baseball's best prospects is that a team's vulnerability in the Rule 5 draft isn't as great. That said, last winter -- and I must say I didn't pay much if any attention -- the Giants lost a reliever who went on to have a nice season in 2016.
The Toronto Blue Jays saw something in Joe Biagini, who posted a 2.42 ERA at Richmond in the 2015 season but struck out only 84 batters in 130 innings. They placed him in their bullpen, and he rewarded them with a 3.06 ERA in 67 frames.
Ironic, isn't it, that the Giants lost a player in the area that in 2016 would be their downfall?
This year the Giants neither drafted nor lost any players in either the major league or AAA phases of the draft. Last season they chose RHP Wilson Santos from the Padres. It appears Santos was injured most of the season, appearing briefly for both Arizona in the Rookie League and San Jose in A+.
|
|
