Giants Bolster Pitching At Trade Deadline, Deal Matt Duffy To Tampa
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The NL West-leading San Francisco Giants had a great first half and started the second with a post-All-Star break flop.
General manager Bobby Evans got serious at the trade deadline to improve his club, acquiring a pair of proven pitchers Monday to boost both his rotation and bullpen.
San Francisco got left-hander Matt Moore from the Tampa Bay Rays for third baseman Matt Duffy and two minor leaguers, shortly after landing Will Smith from Milwaukee.
"We have a lot of work to do to get into a postseason situation, so the help I think will come at a good time," Evans said. "Our guys worked hard to evaluate our options. It was an interesting market. I feel like the addition of both Matt Moore and Will Smith will help us in multiple ways and strengthen us as well. It's important this time of year with the work that our club has done to be in the situation and position they're in."
With Moore, they now have a reliable addition to join Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija, given the struggles of Matt Cain and Jake Peavy. Evans said he hasn't yet discussed with manager Bruce Bochy where Moore will slot in the rotation.
"We have two guys that we value highly in Matt Cain and Jake Peavy. I don't want to predetermine anything at this point," Evans said, later adding, "We haven't had a discussion directly about the trade. I'd rather not jump to any specific conclusions. I think we should at least evaluate what our game plan is."
The 27-year-old Moore is 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA in 21 starts and 130 innings.
"I just got off the phone with Bobby and told I'm ready to go tomorrow," said Moore, who had been scheduled to pitch Tuesday. "It's my start day. But I think they still have a couple things to figure out. As far as the playoffs, things like that, it's a lot of excitement just to think about getting back there. That's what we play for. Those are the moments we want to be in. For someone to reach out and come get me it's a really good feeling."
Duffy had a standout rookie season a year ago but has been hampered by an Achilles strain suffered against his new Rays team on June 19. Last week, the Giants acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez from the Twins to provide depth and he now could pick up some regular work at third base.
The Giants sent catcher Andrew Susac and pitching prospect Phil Bickford to Milwaukee.
The Giants have struggled mightily since the All-Star break and had been looking to upgrade a relief corps that has been so reliable in recent years, helping them win World Series championships in 2010, `12 and `14. San Francisco has won two straight games since losing 11 of 13 following the All-Star Game.
The 27-year-old Smith is 1-3 with a 3.68 ERA this season in 27 games and 22 innings. He had been with the Brewers since they got him in a trade with Kansas City in December 2013. Smith was 9-8 with a 3.28 ERA and one save in 181 relief appearances overall for the Brewers.
Susac spent parts of the 2014 and `15 season in the majors. He is batting .273 with eight home runs 36 RBIs and 12 doubles in 58 games this season for Triple-A Sacramento.
Bickford, who had been a top prospect in the Giants' farm system, is a combined 5-6 with a 2.71 ERA in 17 starts between Class-A Augusta and Class-A San Jose. San Francisco selected him 18th overall in the 2015 draft.
Evans called it a "very difficult day" losing prospects along with Duffy.
"That's just the stark reality of the game and the business we're in," Evans said, adding of his conversation with Duffy: "He was very clear, there's no place he would have rather been than a San Francisco Giant. It's hard for him. He's ready for the next challenge. This is certainly a curveball for him. He's going to be missed."
The Rays also got shortstop Lucius Fox and right-hander Michael Santos in the deal.