Has the sell-off begun?
That’s the early indication for the Giants just an hour ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, with the news the club has traded Darin Ruf to the New York Mets. In exchange, San Francisco is receiving utility player J.D. Davis and prospects Thomas Szapucki, Nick Zwack and Carson Seymour
Like Ruf, Davis is a DH type that is having a down year, but was solid to above average at the plate in his previous three seasons. Davis is under club control through 2024, and is at 29 is seven years younger than Ruf (36). A former third-round pick out of Elk Grove, the right-handed Davis slashed .278/.364/.451 in four seasons with the Mets.
Though Ruf was inconsistent in an expanded role this season, he was mostly a revelation since being signed out of the KBO in 2020. Ruf was a killer against left-handed hitters during his time in SF, posting a 1.007 OPS vs. them in 2021.
Szapucki, 26, is a left-handed starting pitching prospect with two major league appearances. He’s posted a 3.66 ERA in 28 Triple-A appearances (25 starts). One of his two major league appearances was against the Giants when he was tagged for nine runs on May 25.
Nick Zwack (LHP) and Carson Seymour (RHP) are both A-level pitchers. Zwack impressed in Advanced A ball (1.84 ERA) but has struggled in High-A so far. Seymour has a 1.19 ERA in seven High-A appearances this season.