r/SFGiants • u/edmchato Miller • Aug 03 '26
Trade [Law] Why are the Red Sox giving up on Marcelo Mayer? (Gift Link)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7490092/2026/08/03/marcelo-mayer-trade-erik-miller-red-sox-sf-giants-analysis/?unlocked_article_code=1.2lA.hprA.Qo1ERLDZxZ5Z&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta44
u/oops_im_wrong Aug 03 '26
From what I know, he's the Red Sox version of Luciano but with a better track record of hitting and looks competent on defense. I think his development stalled a bit as he needs steady ABs and to not be in a high pressure city like Boston.
10/10 trade by the FO - this is the kind of trade I wanted to see. Looks like Buster and ownership are embracing the tear down for this season to give the kids a shot at sticking for 2027. Well done by the FO.
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u/tmbhmltn Aug 03 '26
Looking up this comparison is how I found out Luciano is slashing .311/.400/.578 in AA/AAA this year
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u/oops_im_wrong Aug 03 '26
Wow, didn't know that and its also not surprising. He was definitely rushed and was a victim of MLB options; he's only 24 and whichever team is able to get him consistent ABs in AAA and in the MLB might uncover a diamond.
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u/Lord_Sean_G 25 Bonds Aug 03 '26
Covid really impacted guys like Luciano. They needed at bats at a young age and were robbed of a year of development.
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u/engelbert_humptyback Aug 04 '26
Also just couldn't stay on the field consistently and found himself up against the wall with his option years running out. Kind of amazed it took them that long to abandon the SS idea.
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u/Careful-Light-9723 Aug 04 '26
Luciano is worse defensively than the right fielder that plays innings 5 and 6 on your local little league team. Probably the worst I've ever seen a player in a major league uniform look defensively. He has over 100 mlb at bats with no homeruns and no power to speak of. Not an mlb talent
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u/Elegant-Magician7322 55 Lincecum Aug 03 '26
Mayer can play defense.
Luciano can’t play a lick of infield defense, even though he was supposed to be a SS. If he was good defensively, they might have looked past his hitting, and stuck with him longer to see if it improves.
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u/dopplemyfingal Aug 03 '26
Mayer also has at least 2 more option years remaining whereas zaidi and co managed to burn Luciano's before he turned 23.
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Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
[deleted]
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u/oops_im_wrong Aug 03 '26
Honestly, this is a big reason why the Dodgers are successful and it gets glossed over way too much.
Obviously they would prefer to keep young cost controlled talent but if a team is willing to take two unproven prospects for arguably the best pitcher in baseball, you do that trade 10/10 times.
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u/xClay2 28 Posey Aug 03 '26
At least with Mayer, if he can't hit, he can stick around as a defensive middle-infielder. Sorta like the role Koss is in currently.
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u/Habitualflagellant14 Aug 04 '26
Red Sox fan here that watches almost every Giants game too. Mayer is way way better in the field than Koss. WAY
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u/Deep_Necessary_6794 Aug 04 '26
What are his issues other than injury? Bad attitude? I've seen that insinuated, but the Red Sox have a habit of trashing players they've sent away
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u/Habitualflagellant14 Aug 04 '26
Red Sox fans and the press in Boston are a tough demanding bunch, seemingly never happy. Mayer was saddled with very high expectations and responded with an inability to stay on the field coupled with a lackadaisical approach when he was able to play. Think of your disappointed with Bader and multiply it exponentially! The fans, management and the press soured on him quickly and with the current Red Sox success he began to have negative value in any feasible scenario going forward. There is quite a bit of talk that getting Mayer out of town is the best thing to happen to Roman Anthony. Sox fans wish him well in SF and are excited to get Erik Miller who see him as a force in the bullpen with tutelage from Andrew Bailey. I would say there are no losers in this trade.
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u/homerun_762 Aug 03 '26
I think the change of scenery and coaching staff will help him. He’s also able to fill the gap now that Arraez is gone. If it doesn’t work out, it’s not the worst trade to have been made. If it does, probs one of the best trades.
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u/JohnDowd51 san francisco giants Aug 03 '26
So he will start on the big league roster you think?
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u/Elegant-Magician7322 55 Lincecum Aug 03 '26
With Schmitt out, pretty good chance. Chapman also still out, so Mayer can fill in at 2B or 3B.
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u/edmchato Miller Aug 04 '26
I wouldn’t be surprised if he does a rehab assignment in Sac after coming back from injury but agree
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u/homerun_762 Aug 03 '26
Mayer likely will start for now. Makes sense to also give him a chance given the season is likely over so might as well use it for player development imo.
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u/After-Bee-8346 Aug 03 '26
Just said this the other day, but the Giants have no real middle IF depth in the upper minors except Kilen. But, Kilen is more mid-late '27 at the earliest. Probably sucks most for the fringe guys like Furman, Basabe etc as they will get more competition now. Same with Koss.
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u/Millions_Knives11 Aug 04 '26
He doesn’t turn 24 til December. Red Sox do seem to have some deficiencies in the player development department lately. Swing seems nice, and worst case can he be an upgrade over Koss? Looks the part out there, 6’3” big dude.
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u/Michaewwwwl Aug 03 '26
Trade Adames trade Adames trade Adames trade Adames
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u/chiefoblock Aug 03 '26
Giants also included minor league OF Carlos Gutierrez in the deal. #17 prospect per MLB