The Dodgers have signed right-hander Ken Giles to a minor league contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post (Twitter link). The deal comes in the wake of a showcase Giles held for teams earlier this week.
Given the Dodgers’ track record of reviving the careers of both position players and pitchers alike, there’s some extra intrigue with Giles landing in Los Angeles, especially given the tremendous numbers the righty posted when at his best. However, it has been some time since Giles has been in good form or even able to pitch, as he has only tossed eight MLB innings since the start of the 2020 season. A Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2021 season entirely, and while he made it back to throw 4 1/3 innings with the Mariners last year, Giles dealt with shoulder and finger problems.
Seattle parted ways with Giles last August and he caught on with the Giants on another minor league pact, though that stint didn’t last long as San Francisco released him before the beginning of September. Giles has been on the open market ever since, despite an earlier showcase in the offseason and a private bullpen session with the Padres in February. Heyman previously reported that Giles has been working out at Driveline for well over a month, so it seems likely that whatever changes Giles might have made (pitch selection, mechanics, etc.) to his process were enough to catch the Dodgers’ attention.
There’s no risk for L.A. in taking a longer look at Giles via a minor league deal, though the signing might more broadly indicate that the Dodgers are on the hunt for bullpen help. Daniel Hudson and Jimmy Nelson are each still indefinitely out with injuries, Alex Reyes may not return from the 60-day IL until closer to midseason, and Blake Treinen might not pitch at all in 2023 due to shoulder surgery. With rotation injuries further thinning out the Dodgers’ pitching depth, it isn’t surprising that Los Angeles is checking into some new arms, whether they be reclamation projects like Giles or perhaps some other external options on the trade market.
fredziffel78
Breathing? Two arms? Two legs? Sign him!
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Good pitcher, nasty beard
Razor that rat nest or join the Jose Abreu “I’m repulsive club for men”
thickiedon
Didn’t you just shame someone about being respectful on another thread?
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Please, quote me
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
If I’m wrong I’ll admit it, If you’re wrong “don’t come around here no more”
thickiedon
I’m not so “I won’t back down.”BRB
thickiedon
“I’m sure you’d like an Almond Joy Nuts, but with your lack of BB acumen, you deserve an Almond Joy because you have no nuts…
Hosmer is class, you’re not…”
DynamiteAdams
Very Dodgers move
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Is Chris Young incompetent, or does he sleep every other month?
solaris602
He’s just preppin’ to blow you away with an amazing pickup reeeeeeal soon! Just you wait!
solaris602
Drum roll please. And the Rangers have signed Mr Ryan Tepera to a major league deal!!!! (crowd goes berserk). Rangers fans, your bullpen issues are a thing of the past.
bronxmac77
He gets confused.
He thinks he’s the other Chris Young.
BigFred
He’s been good in odd-numbered years. It’s an odd-numbered year.
Miles-
Good reliever not too long ago so I’m actually surprised more teams weren’t in on him. Good move by the Dodgers.
acoss13
Someone was going to give him a shot, bullpen arms are always in demand.
astrosrule
Watch out, he just might punch himself in the face again if he gives up a homer.
Kershaw's Lesser Known Right Arm
Astros legend Ken Giles
MLB Top 100 Commenter
After Shelby Miller it would be tough for Dodgers to shock me. Maybe signing Brett Phillips . . . to be a pitcher.
JayRyder
Man this guy disappeared.