2:55pm: The incentive pay is quite achievable, so long as the Giants keep Pomeranz on board and keep him in the rotation. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has the details (Twitter link).
Pomeranz gets $500K if he’s on the active roster coming out of camp and upon the season’s 150th day, in addition to a quarter million apiece for being on the roster 90 and 120 days into the 2019 campaign. He also receives $250K for reaching 25 and 50 innings, a provision which will be met early if he’s a starter and can still be triggered if he works from the pen.
The rest of the cash requires Pomeranz to open ballgames. He gets $125K apiece upon his second, fourth, sixth, and eighth start; $100K upon reaching 10, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 27, and 30; and a final $200K if he records a full 32-start campaign.
2:05pm: The Giants announced the move, with outfielder Mike Gerber being designated for assignment to clear roster space.
12:43pm: The Giants have agreed to terms with southpaw Drew Pomeranz, according to Larry Krueger of KNBR. Pomeranz will be guaranteed just $1.5MM, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com tweets. There are incentives that can push the total value to $5MM, though, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com (Twitter link).
Pomeranz becomes the second veteran lefty to sign no in San Francisco this winter, joining Derek Holland in that regard. He’ll be looking to follow Holland in a different regard as well — namely, utilizing the opportunity to work in the spacious ballpark to help spur a career turnaround.
New Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi may have relied on the opinions of preexisting staff members in bringing back Holland, but he’s no doubt applying plenty of his own experience in securing a deal with Pomeranz. Zaidi was a key member of the Oakland front office during the lefty’s tenure with the Athletics.
At thirty years of age, Pomeranz could still author a second bounceback, having done so previously when he landed with the A’s after washing out with the Rockies. It wasn’t long ago, after all, that Pomeranz was wrapping up a four-year run in which he threw 499 1/3 innings of 3.24 ERA ball with 9.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.
Unfortunately, Pomeranz’s final season with the RedSox — who gave up a top prospect to get him in a trade that ultimately came under scrutiny for the Padres’ failure to disclose medical info — did not go as well as his first full year in Boston. Making it through just 74 innings in an injury-ravaged 2018 season, Pomeranz worked to an ugly 6.08 ERA while allowing 5.4 free passes and 1.5 home runs per nine innings. Arm issues clearly nagged him all year long, with a flexor tendon strain and biceps tendinitis ultimately identified as specific maladies, as Pomeranz lost nearly two ticks on his average fastball.
All things considered, this seems like a rather easy and minimal risk for the Giants to take. It stands to reason that the club offered Pomeranz a clear path to a rotation job as part of its sales pitch, though the plans are not fully clear. If he does take a spot in the starting five, it would appear to bump fellow lefties Andrew Suarez and Ty Blach out of the prospective Opening Day rotation (at least on paper).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Finally something
I wish I can say that for the A’s.
Given the limited contract value, it seems to show how strapped the Sox are with respect to the threshold. At that price, I would have thought Boston would have taken a chance. As invisible as he was last year, he did have a solid 2017.
One, they don’t have a roster spot for him. Two, why would Pomeranz sign up for that instead of being handed a roster spot in a very big ballpark?
Haha right. Boston was one of the least likely teams to have interest.
This guy’s suprised they didn’t try to match
More surprised at their financial drama for 19. IF healthy, he represents a fifth starter or lefty to throw out if the pen. Wright is also a question and my hope would have been to get a full year combined. Also, Sale has not shown the ability to remain healthy. Upside for Pomerantz is still higher than Velazquez or Johnson.
Cheap scratch-off lottery ticket for the Giants.. But you see losing tix strewn all over 7-11 parking lots across the country. Hey, if Pom can stay on the mound for 20 starts and give the Giants 100 innings or so of mediocrity, that’s not a bad return for the tiny bit of cheese they coughed up to sign him. If the Giants bomb again this year as I suspect they will, come October, the Pom signing will be long forgotten.
Might not be a bad bullpen price. Emphasis on might.
piece*
You don’t think he could bounce back as mid-lower rotation piece?
He was pretty solid before the Sox traded for him.
It’s possible but the Giants already have Bumgarner. Cueto, Samardzija, Suarez, and Rodriguez in those starter roles. Granted spring could rearrange all that, but Pom would have to show some pretty decent stuff while others falter in order to crack that lineup I would imagine
Cueto is not an option for 2o19. Tommy John surgery, remember?
Also, you forgot Holland who re-signed.
Right now it looks like Suarez and Pomeranz would compete for the 5th starter slot, with one of them dropping into the bullpen.
Damn was hoping the Mets would sign him he was good in 2016-2017 and I think is a good bounce back candidate.
He is a good NL fit.. and the bounce back wont be too difficult from his disastrous 2018 season..although it was softened by the WS Ring he will receive..not to mention the full $400k+ playoff share he was awarded.
San Diego fixed him so time will see
Not so. He was damaged goods when they traded him to Boston, who received a year’s value in all. He was mostly useless last year and the Giants are taking a flyer on him. Hint: reread the extensive incentives in the contract year.
4-34 on predictions so far. Doesn’t look like I’m very good at this.
The only one I got right so far was Dozier so I feel the pain
better than a lot of us lol
actually im 4-34 as well. Soria was a real lucky guess haha.
Many free agents would love 4 for 34 at this point…
Excellent.
It’s better than the 0-34 I’m sporting.
It seems like my only hope to get on the board is if Harper goes back to WSH and Machado signs with NYY
Yeah, but like the Washington Generals, I figure you’re DUE.
I’m also 4/34 as it seems a lot of us are. (my correct guesses: Lucroy, Lynn, McCutchen, N. Cruz).
My correct guesses: Nathan Eovaldi, Nelson Cruz, Daniel Murphy and Brian Dozier.
There is no skill involved in predicting where Free Agents go. It is just a guess. Sort of like the lottery without any of the incentive.
I’m still banging my head against a wall as a Red Sox fan that they didn’t reverse the trade when it turned out he was injured. I don’t even care that Espinoza has done nothing, Pom was legitimately a zero factor during his Red Sox tenure (bad for 1.5 years, good for 1 year in which he got smoked in his only playoff start en route to a 1 and done).
AND WHY THE HELL WAS HE ON THE WS ROSTER
Not more of this “reverse the trade” non-sense.
Everyone at the table was an adult making big boy decisions. Get over it and stop conflating what happened with the Marlins to Pom/Espinoza trade.
What happened with Pom was the exact same thing as what happened with Collin Ray. Padres weren’t recording injuries. AJ got SUSPENDED for a month for it
That isn’t up for debate. I’m just commenting on the fact that Dombo had the opportunity to reverse the trade and didn’t, now we have nothing to show from it. That’s a perfectly logical commentary.
I’m with you. The Sox bought damaged goods.
I can see thinking “our medical team checked him out, he’s ok” if that’s why the Sox kept him, but there was no reason for him to be on WS roster with last year’s performance.
They kept him because the trade deadline passed and there were no other options as good. I’d still take him at that price if he’s healthy.
The sox won the trade. Pomeranz went 17-6 3.32 in 2017 and I doubt Espinoza will ever see the majors considering he hasn’t pitched in pro ball since 2016 and has two tommy johns on his resume already. Even if he does reach the majors, he would have to have more than one year of 17-6 3.32 or better with the Padres to be able to say they won the deal. Also, I understand Espinoza was just 18 at the time, but a 4,49 ERA in A is nothing to gloat about.
You’re right, the Sox did win that trade even considering that Pomeranz was injured when he arrived. I’m thinking they won again by letting him walk away after his horrible 2018 season. I don’t expect to see the rebound some are looking for.
The Padres didn’t reveal that Pomeranz took an Advil for inflammation. He never even missed a start. So pull your head out.
Colin Rae had TJ surgery and missed nearly 2 seasons. Pomeranz took an Advil and never missed a start.
Thank you!
Pomeranz was injured when he arrived? What was his injury? And how long was he on the disabled list because of it?
Yup and the Padres took Rea back. Meanwhile, you didn’t see them whining about Chris Paddack and Carter Capps being injured and Paddack is starting to look like he might be something special. Hopefully the same happens with Espinoza.
Ironic, Pomeranz went from Cleveland to Colorado for damaged goods in Ubaldo Jimenez. A guy that pitched the night he was being dealt, got lit up and was never the same again.
And then went to Boston for damaged goods in Anderson Espinoza
Bottom line is the league gave the Sox the option of voiding the trade. What does that represent? Padres got caught not disclosing an injury.
I still bang my head on the wall every time I hear Red Sox fans complain and cry three months after winning the World Series. And over Drew Pomeranz? It you can’t enjoy being the champs, then what’s the point?
What makes Boston the greatest sports city in the world is we are always hungry for more. Yes, I can be happy about the world series win but still lament the fact that we gave up a top 100 prospect for nothing
“Boston [is] the greatest sports city in the world”
Mexico City, London, Madrid & Buenos Aires would like a word
No disrespect meant but take away soccer which the majority of U.S. citizens don’t treat like the rest of the world and the real argument for us is within the U.S. True signs are radio chatter and losing teams. Most of the U.S. will follow a winner (sorry Tampa). Northeast shows passion but the Midwest has their moments as does the West Coast, albeit usually more low key. Again, this is my take primarily because most if us in the U.S. can’t relate to soccer madness.
Par for the course.
Every fan thinks their base is the best. You know who I think is the best besides my team? Cardinals. Been to see 25 different markets, and Cardinals were by far the nicest, most knowledfable, and did not see a Masshole in sight.
I never said anything about Bostonians being nice people
I’ve lived in or near Kansas City, Dallas, San Francisco and St. Louis throughout my life, attending dozens of games in each of those cities. All of those teams have had their share of success and I enjoyed baseball in each. (Altho Arlington, Tx is crazy hot). You’re right on target that St. Louis fans have great knowledge of the game, give their team great support, and generally conduct themselves respectfully. Cap tip to them.
I’ve spent the last year in Boston, and went to more than 40 games during last year’s WS run. It’s fair to say some of Boston’s fans are jerks and sadly, I’ve seen a couple that I’d say were racist. But on the whole, I’ve never seen a fan base that matches their intensity and love of the game. It’s easy to bash fans of successful teams, and many deserve it, but there are some great people and great baseball fans in Boston.
There are good and not-so-good fans everywhere, in every sport at all levels. Unfortunately a few bad eggs can spoil the whole omelet.
The few bad fans are crying out for attention, so don’t give it to them. Don’t reward bad behavior. Focus instead on the good eggs, and be grateful.
Easier said than done sometimes.
eh they were terrible to me – they are enthusiastic though if you want to know the nicest it is probably padres fans, that is why so many giants fans travel to SD for games.
Agreed. Fenway fans are the most intense and knowledgeable. Most Giants fans are barely aware there is a game going on around them, and are more concerned with taking selfies and checking their likes on FB…
Forever a braves fan. But I agree about the cardinals.
Somehow, I doubt you’ve ever been to Oracle, Candlestick, or Seal Stadium.
weird. I’ve been going my whole life and I see tons of people listening to the radio call whilst watching the game, filling out their score card, and enjoying a few hours at the park with their family or loved one. Then again, I only sit in the cheap seats. Maybe all the new tech money in the Bay is filling the fancy seats with disinterested fans (I’m willing to bet this is duplicated at a lot of major metropolitan ballparks) but every time I go I always have great chats with very passionate and knowledgeable folks. Where do you sit?
…my comment was @WarrenSpahn and talking about San Francisco Giants fans
Agreed Jordan,don’t like most STL teams but been around a lot and know their fans are classy and knowledgeable so you respect them and their team and actually have an intelligent conversation with them
If you judge a sporting city by number of league titles won: Manchester, England.
A head banging incident it truly has become.
In hindsight they definitely should have reversed it. They didn’t make it past the ALDS in 2016 or 2017 when Pom was contributing and then in 2018 when they won it all, Pom was below replacement level. So unless you put some serious stock in his intangibles they would have gotten the same outcome without that trade plus they could have used Espinoza in the Sale trade instead of Michael Kopech.
In any event, it’s hard to feel too bad for the Red Sox at this point.
He was 17-6 with a 3.38 in 32 starts in 2017. That hardly seems injured. It’s an all-star caliber season. If they undid the trade & he put those numbers up on SD, you would be having a fit about that too!
He was good that year – don’t get me wrong – but the reason they made that trade wasn’t for 1 year of a good pitcher, it was to get an exclusive window on an up and coming arm for 2.5 years, maybe longer. Instead he had 1 good year while the other two were terrible and he did nothing in the playoffs. I’m not saying it was 100% injury related but no doubt Preller was hiding medical information – which he was suspended for by MLB
The CEO of the team, Mike Dee, instituted the system that hid any medical treatment that was not administered by a doctor before Preller was hired. He was fired after Preller returned from his suspension and Preller was given all of his Baseball Operations responsibilities. If you had even half a brain that would tell you who was responsible for that system.
In Pomeranz’s case that medical treatment was ibuprofen. He took an Advil and they didn’t put it in his medical record. Pomeranz never missed a start in 2016 or 2017.
There was obviously no injury.
If there was “obviously no injury” why did they hide it?
If there was an injury why wasn’t he placed on the disabled list?
You’ve got problems,a WS and complaining! Lay off the Meds!
I’m not going to apologize for being pissed off about a terrible trade that did not help us win the WS
I think Zito was worth it and I don’t complain about that contract at all…
Do you think Boston should’ve reversed the Jeff Bagwell trade as well? i mean THAT didn’t work out for the Red Sox either!
That wasn’t eligible to be reversed because the other team wasn’t hiding medical information : )
Do you think the Red Sox should reverse the Babe Ruth trade? I don’t think it worked out for them.
Good thing Espinoza has been broken since he showed up
Dumb dumbs
And had a 4.49 ERA in his last healthy season
He sure pitched well for a guy that was injured. Never missed a start and only Sale was better in 2017. He had a 3.26 ERA against the Yankees the past 3 seasons. Glad to see him moving out of the AL East.
Oh, you mean the trade where Dombrowski traded the Padres an injured pitcher for a healthy one and then went crying to MLB about the Padres’ medicals? They should change their name to the “Boston crybabies.” And their logo could be an infant throwing a tantrum and pising itself.
It appears the author is pissing in his pants cuz the BoSox are flying the flag. Time to tidy your room now.
Had him going to Rangers — They love reclamation pitchers
Had him going to the Blue Jays. I don’t have good reason why.
Ditto. I just basically picked all SP and RP to Toronto as we need pitching
I Drew him up as heading somewhere
Always solving the case like a good cop. Well done.
I’m pretty sure I picked the Rangers for the exact same reason
figured a Padres reunion was the most likely situation.
Don’t know what I was thinking. I picked him going to the Mariners.
Anderson Espinoza will be the next Pedro Martinez. Thank you Drew!
Just stop!
Good place for a pitcher to try to rebuild value. He’s a decent bounce back candidate.
Deal makes sense.
The Giants can have him! He didn’t do much for the Red Sox for the time he was there. Maybe at best a middle relief guy they can bring in when they are losing big!
Didnt do while in Boston? He’s a little over a year removed from being one of the best pitchers in Boston. He won 17games in 2017, while carrying the second lowest ERA of his career.
Good signing.
It’s at the point where signing a guy for $1.5 million, especially a guy who has shown promise in the past, is close to us common folk dropping a five dollar bill to try a different flavor of coffee. Darn near zero investment for a “maybe” reward.
How much has Zaidi spent this offseason? Like 10 dollars?
more like $10.50, $11 including incentives
You guys got a pretty high payroll already, it isn’t that surprising.
You sound as if this is a bad thing … they already have a committed payroll over $160M going to a team that’s been in last place for 2 years. Spending more money isn’t the solution.
You sound as if it’s your money. What do you care if billionaire owners make less money and sign better players?
Because it’s not sustainable and you end up with a team that has no money and can’t win. It’s still a business and they all need to make money for the league to be viable.
$1.5 mil? that’s a great deal!
Wow one year 1.5 mil. What a great signing for the Gmen
The Giants are big spenders Zaidi spent roughly $87.92 this off season. and that with everyone’s coffee order. Great Job Giants
To be fair coffee is really expensive in San Francisco
so is a Pack of Condoms. What’s your point?
You joke. MWeller then jokes. And you take him serious?
Point is, good coffee isn’t as costly as a bad condom.
word.
The perfect storm, really. Big park, weaker league, low stress environment, fair price and conditions. Everybody wins. And if he’s at least decent the first few months, a trade chip.
And he gains by throwing in a HUGELY better defensive IF than he had in Boston.
A thrower.
Not a pitcher.
Won’t listen.
Thank you Mr Pitching Coach, since you were involved in those coaching moments.
Watched him since he was bullying hitters in the minors as he was 2-3 years older then them, and felt he just had to blow the hitters away. That stuff doesn’t work in the majors.
Never learned to pitch. Bounces from team to team, manager to manager, pitching coach to pitching coach. Does well for a bit and ignores any instruction.
Now go back to your statistics and computer baseball.
well, let me retract my harsh comment based on your in-depth analysis from the bleachers. wow, you have a website to publish this stuff for a subscription basis? i will pay!
bill james call you yet? he will!
Sorry to talk baseball here.
Hey, you think Joe Blow will get 6 years / 178 backloaded?
It’s like honestly that his GLOTZ is a 48.159, but look at his RXp, a below average -1.77.
Whadda think?
clepto doesnt come here to talk baseball. His head is filled with peanuts
Correction. San Diego got him on the right track. Different team/pitching coach had him attack a different way, and there we go. Just bc a team won a World Series doesn’t mean a pitching coach can connect with every player just the same as the pitching coach for a bad team. He has turned dumpster pieces into a gem in San Diego
What do I think?
Well since you asked, I think you really arent the expert you thought you were. I think you struggle with basic logic and comprehension. I think you routinely fail to see the point, and then start down a path that was not the point. At no point did I say Sabremetrics said Pomeranz at $1.5M is good value.
By the way, couch cowboy, you really arent a pitching coach, and thus, likely have no clue.
Clear enough now?
I think clepto is really 3rdStrikeLooking
(Who I think 3rdStrikeLooking is banned)
Sometimes you cant hide your writing style
That is the reason the Giants brought him aboard. If it wasn’t for 2018, :
Here’s his three previous years
2017: 32 games started, 173.2 IP, 3.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 9 K/9
2016: 30 games started, 170.2 IP, 3.32 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 (all star)
2015: 53 appearances, 86.0 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 8.6 K/9
Just to compare to a guy who just signed a 30 mm contract, Pomeranz beats Sonny Gray in all of these categories.
Pomeranz is going to be a great trade chip in 2019
this deal could turn into serious pay dirt for Pomeranz if he is healthy this year
Or for the Giants if he can be flipped midseason.
Wow, I’m surprised nobody was willing to offer more. He was really good there for awhile, just had a bad year. This is a steal by the Giants.
Alternatively, you could look at his career and said he’s had just one good year lol
Was kinda hoping the Padres would sign him just to spite the people who think it’s impossible to sign a guy after you traded him away. But what can you do?
I mean preller cut ties with Ross and then got him back on a minor league deal
Next up, renovating the entire ballpark and clubhouse in bubble wrap to keep their pitchers from punching things and breaking their hands (see: Pomeranz, Drew – injury-shortened 2014).
see: Strickland, Hunter – punched a door and broke his hand. Sat on the DL for a couple months in 2018. He don’t play here no more 😉
That’s okay, you have a NEW pitcher who has performance-related temper issues!
As for Strickland, you “whooshed” yourself, as that was what I was referring to.
Giants looking to deal for Ken Giles?
These are the moves we should have been making 4 years ago. Instead of being tied up in all of these terrible contracts. Bobby Evans nightmare will haunt us for a few more years unfortunately but at least he’s gone.
Farhan lives!!!
Other news Royals , Tigers and Diamondbacks reportedly are interested in 1B Adrian Gonzalez. Information from @royalsreview on Twitter.
Low risk deal. If he reverts back to the pitcher he was during 2016-2017, they can flip him at the deadline.
The Gerber baby got designated for assignment!
That’s disrespectful to babies.
Pomeranz, a lhp, looking to rebuild his value decides on a 1 year deal in a park with a nasty wall and headwind in rf, smart decision.
That is a good bounce-back candidate. Not enough to make the Giants relevant, but at least they filled out their rotation.
I especially like that his signing pushes two pitchers, Suarez and Blach, out of the rotation (according to the report). He will reach his incentives quickly pitching for two spots. Is this how the Giants save money?
Believe they’re expecting him to win the #5 job over Suarez and Blach behind MadBum, Holland, Rodriguez and Samardzija (or maybe Stratton?).
I wanted the Tigers to nab him. Seems like a better bet than Matt Moore…
“Better than Matt Moore” refers to 99% of the league.
He might be better, but Moore will be healthier.
Exactly! When was Matt Moore’s last solid year? 2014? Avila, once again, had to go sign guys at the very beginning of free agency, instead of waiting out the market. I’m all about the rebuild, but I’m starting to lack faith in Avila. He starts his tenure as GM by overpaying Jordan Zimmerman and Justin Upton, then gets very little in return for JD Martinez, Justin Verlander, and Ian Kinsler. I worry our rebuild may last a decade with him at the helm.
I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt because he was placed in an awful situation but some of his signings have been head-scratching at best. Mark Lowe? Jordan Zimmermann? Those are all hind sight claims but Jordy Mercer for $5 mil and Matt Moore for 3 are both just terrible. I’m losing more faith watching guys like Pomeranz sign for 1.5 mil and Asdrubal signing for 3.5
Also little return for David Price but I don’t believe Avila was GM yet, still an assistant.
Mark Lowe was a questionable signing. When Toronto got him at the 2015 deadline he was just adequate. His first half numbers were exceptional which helped him land that atrocious contract.
And now Avila’s going to blow the Castellanos situation.
Pads fan here. Good signing Giants. Solid if not good at times pitcher. Locates real well excellent change. Guy is a sleeper!
It would help a great deal if Drew would arise from his slumber.soon.
I appreciate that the Gs are treating FA vets to low risk, incentive laden contracts. If this doesn’t work out, little lost. That said, they still are about $40M under the threshold, so I wish they had been more aggressive on some other mid level FAs like Lowrie, Brantley, A. Sanchez, etc. Still would love to see them go out and get M. Gonzalez
I knew it would be an incentive contract but that’s the best incentive contract I’ve seen.
Nice deal. It’s not hard to see him bouncing back, especially since he’s out of the ALE.
so it looks like if he pitches 3 complete games in a row he gets 250k
– edit – actually 500k, 250 for the innings 250 for the games
Giants fans can only hope Pomeranz gets his $5 million and performs as hopefully projected. It’s a typical Giant off season pickup which sometimes works. A 17 game winner with a respectable .ERA the year before, not much to lose and a lot to gain. Good deal.
Bottom feeding.
Instead of overpaying for Tyson Ross and Matt Moore at the beginning of the off-season, I wish Al Avila and the Tigers would have waited it out and signed Pomeranz, he seems like a much better bounce back candidate than the guys he got.
suckers get sucked – never changes
Cool. Can we get a hitter now?
Always hurt, always unreliable. Get the spot on the DL ready for him.
Haha, Mike Gerber, WTF? Thank God Zaidi finally decided to dabble in making a Big League move.
Honestly thought he was going to land in a Jays uniform.
I was hoping the Orioles would sign and potentially flip him at the deadline.