The week leading up to the Aug. 1 trade deadline has been generally quiet, and the Giants hardly made noise with their first trade since the All-Star break.
San Francisco sent right-handed reliever Mauricio Llovera to the Red Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Marques Johnson. The Giants announced the deal during SF’s Wednesday night game against Oakland.
The Giants had designated Llovera for assignment earlier in the week to clear a roster spot for Luke Jackson. Llovera, 27, appeared in 22 games for the Giants across this season and last. In five appearances this year, he posted a 1.69 ERA.
By trading for Llovera, the Red Sox jumped the waiver claim order. They likely value Llovera’s big-league experience and could use him in their bullpen as they vie for a wild card berth.
Johnson, whom the Giants are bringing in, is a San Jose native who went to Long Beach State. The 23-year-old was selected in the 11th round of the 2022 amateur draft and has a 6.55 ERA in A-ball. He has finished 13 of the 28 games he’s appeared in as a pro.
Johnson, like any prospect his age, selected that late and in the lower minors, is an unknown commodity. But the Giants didn’t lose Llovera for nothing.