Giants Add Pair Of Outfielders In Weekend Trades

Image credit: Michael Reed (Photo by Tony Farlow)

As Opening Day looms, the Giants continue to tweak the edges of their roster.

Two days after acquiring Connor Joe in a trade with the Reds, the Giants acquired a pair of outfielders in two separate trades on Saturday. San Francisco acquired minor league outfielder Mike Yastrzemski from the Orioles in exchange for minor league righthander Tyler Herb and then acquired outfielder Michael Reed from the Twins in exchange for outfielder John Andreoli.

The Giants designated lefthander Steven Okert for assignment and released catcher Rene Rivera to make room on their 40-man roster for the new outfielders.

The trades come a week after the Giants optioned outfielders Chris Shaw and Austin Slater to Triple-A Sacramento.

GIANTS ACQUIRE:

Mike Yastrzemski, OF
Age: 28

The grandson of Carl Yastrzemski spent the last three seasons bouncing between Double-A and Triple-A and has yet to reach the majors. He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft last winter and went unpicked. Yastrzemski is an undersized grinder who plays fast and hard and makes his share of highlight-reel catches in the outfield. He can play all three outfield spots and is best in right field with an average, accurate arm. He is a light hitter who lacks power and fits best as a late-game defensive replacement and pinch-runner.

Michael Reed, OF
Age: 26

Reed got into eight games with the Brewers in 2017 and seven games with the Braves in 2018 and now has a chance for an extended major league audition. Reed controls the strike zone and is extremely patient at the plate, which has helped him put up high on-base percentages everywhere he goes. He is an above-average runner who is a threat to steal when he gets on. Power isn’t his game, but he reached double-digit home runs for the first time last year and is seeing his power grow. Reed is a solid center fielder who can handle all three outfield positions, and he plays an aggressive brand of baseball that endears him to fans and teammates. His speed and on-base ability bode well for him to get opportunities in the Giants outfield this year.

ORIOLES ACQUIRE:

Tyler Herb, RHP
Age: 26

A 29th-round pick in 2014, Herb rose to Triple-A last year for the first time but struggled through his worst season with a 5.35 ERA at Sacramento. He was eligible for the Rule 5 draft last winter and went unpicked. Herb throws four pitches in any count and generally stays within the strike zone. His 90-94 mph sinker is his primary offering, and he mixes in a slider, changeup and curveball that have drawn average grades. He doesn’t miss an overwhelming number of bats and is reliant on inducing ground balls and having his defense turn them into outs. A starter his whole career, Herb profiles a potential as a reliever or swingman if he makes the majors. He’ll begin his Orioles career at Triple-A.

TWINS ACQUIRE:

John Andreoli, OF
Age: 28

It’s been a busy year for the Andreoli, who has been claimed—and subsequently let go by—the Orioles, Mariners, Rangers and Giants since last August. Andreoli is a speed and defense outfielder who made his big league debut with 26 games last year. He’s a plus runner and efficient basestealer who can lay a bunt down for a hit, and he draws a high volume of walks to get on base. Andreoli has shown flashes of increasing power in the past, but he largely profiles as an extra outfielder.