The SF Giants are close to finalizing a trade to acquire outfielder A.J. Pollock and infielder Mark Mathias from the Seattle Mariners, per a report by ESPN's Jeff Passan. There has been no report on what the Giants are sending back to the Mariners in the deal. However, neither Pollock nor Mathias have had great seasons and would not be expected to net much in return. Pollock is also currently on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury.
Pollock is easily the most notable name in the deal, a 12-year veteran who has previously won a Gold Glove and received an All-Star selection. However, he has fallen far from the peak of his career. This season, he is slashing .173/.225/.323, with five home runs and 15 runs batted in just 138 plate appearances. A right-handed hitter, Pollock has been utilized almost entirely as a platoon bat against lefties in recent seasons.
Prior to this season with the Mariners, he spent 2022 with the Chicago White Sox, and Giants fans will remember him as a Dodger from 2019-2021, and a Diamondback from his debut in 2012 to 2018.
In his career 209 plate appearances at Oracle Park, he’s hit .275/.335/.392 with three home runs and 16 runs batted in. The Connecticut-born outfielder is a former World Series champion, having played alongside new Giants teammates Scott Alexander, Ross Stripling, Alex Wood, and Joc Pederson during their time with the Dodgers.
Mathias has been a fringe big-league player over the past few seasons, hitting .249/.323/.403 with eight doubles and six home runs in 189 MLB plate appearances over the past three seasons. He was actually set to be called up by the Mariners from Triple-A before he was traded. A right-handed hitting infielder capable of playing both second base and the outfield, he will likely receive an opportunity to help provide some production from the Giants middle infield.
There is still plenty of time until the MLB trade deadline, but the SF Giants made their first move on Monday afternoon, acquiring veteran outfielder A.J. Pollock and infielder Mark Matthias in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.
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