2:32PM: Both teams have announced the transaction, and MLB.com’s Maria I. Guardado (via X) reported that the Giants placed Lee on the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster spot for McKenna.
1:57PM: The Giants have claimed outfielder Ryan McKenna off waivers from the Orioles, FanSided’s Robert Murray reports (X link). McKenna was designated for assignment earlier this week, and he’ll now change teams for the first time in his nine pro seasons.
It’s an obvious fit for a Giants team that is battling through a swath of injuries, particularly in the outfield ranks. Jung Hoo Lee just underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, and both Michael Conforto and Austin Slater are also currently sidelined. With shortstop Nick Ahmed and both catchers (starter Patrick Bailey and backup Tom Murphy) out, San Francisco has been forced to dig deep into its depth chart, and also pursue outside help like the recent signing of veteran catcher Curt Casali.
McKenna represents another external add, and he brings versatility in his ability to play all three outfield positions at at least an average level. Luis Matos and Heliot Ramos have gotten a lot of the playing time in the outfield with so many of the regulars out, and both have played well alongside Mike Yastrzemski in the makeshift starting arrangement. McKenna will bring some extra depth to that mix, since Blake Sabol has been limited to catcher and utilityman Tyler Fitzgerald could be deployed more strictly in the infield.
McKenna is also a right-handed hitter who can complement the lefty-swinging Yastrzemski, though McKenna has never brought much punch at the plate. Over 517 career MLB plate appearances, McKenna has hit just .224/.302/.332 with eight home runs. He also has a much more impressive .261/.359/.556 slash line over 274 PA at Triple-A, with much of that damage taking place during a big 2021 campaign.
Despite the lack of pop, it is possible the Orioles might not have felt compelled to part with McKenna if the team wasn’t so absurdly stacked with outfield talent. In a sense, having a clear-cut bench player like McKenna was valuable for the O’s since it wasn’t a huge deal if McKenna only received sporadic playing time, whereas sitting a Heston Kjerstad or a Kyle Stowers for days at a time wasn’t helpful for their development. Matos and Ramos are both playing well enough that this type of situation might not present itself in San Francisco, as there should be plenty of playing time available until some of the injured position players return.
I’ll miss him. Didn’t think he’d pass through this time. Orioles fans never seem to want him or Mateo on the roster. He played his role very well. Hope the best for him
It isn’t that people don’t want him, it is a matter of what’s his role on this team? He’s not going to start over any of the main three anywhere in the OF of Hays, Mullins, Santander. They already have Cowser, Stowers, and Kjersted. They have even more guys still in the minors.
As for Mateo, he’s another guy that I don’t think is a matter of nobody wanting. He’s a great super utility guy that also offers a lot of speed and sometimes when he’s hot, a potent bat. He’s just never been consistent. If everything goes to plan, Mateo doesn’t have a starting role on this club in the infield or outfield.
Things may change in the near future. The Orioles have to make some big decisions on some big pending free agents. Santander, Mountcastle, and to a lesser degree, Ryan O’Hearn. I could very easily see Santander being let go or traded. The Orioles are stacked with younger, cheaper talent that are bringing some punch to the table. Mountcastle could be another casualty as the O’s have Mayo, Norby and their stud catcher Sam Basallo who might move to 1B since the O’s already have Rutschman.
Righty Mike Yastrzemski is his ceiling. His floor however is a Quad A bench outfielder that gets spotty ABs.
I wish him well, but the Giants had nothing to lose in picking up him up and giving him a go. If he is more of the Quad A OF, they can DFA him again and he can bounce around and end up with the Marlins or White Sox.
McKenna is going to a pretty good situation for him in SF. They have a lot of OF injuries which means he should easily be able to find a lot of playing time, something he’s never really had in Baltimore. SF still has a winning record and has some pretty good pitching. He’s never really had the opportunity to show what he can do in a larger role and though he’s never been much of a major league threat at the plate, he has gotten off to a pretty hot start this year in very limited playing time.
As for the Orioles, as in the case with Baumann, it is an embarrassment of riches. They just have too much talent filtering through the minors. The simple truth is, they can probably find somebody else within the organization that can offer them similar production as McKenna did.
Giants are 21-25. Not a winning record.
Looks like a nice pickup though.
Takes off my 3 day old pair of new glasses and looks at them, “I think I better go back to my eye doctor!”
Seriously misread the standings, my mistake.
They may not have a winning record but other than the dodgers and Phillies they have been winning series, and the schedule is about to get easier, and they are just one game out of the wild card.
That’s a thumbs up. Blogger’s curse now they lose today. Bah.
They need OFers in AAA.
I think McKenna is an awfully similar player to Yaz
I think he has everything, but his arm is just okay, but he has everything else
If Ryan McKenna ever hits 20 hrs in a season I’ll stop posting.
I’d be shocked if he came close to Yaz’s power output.
McKenna is right handed and Yaz can’t hit lefties.
Comforto and Slater are currently on the IL. They should be back soon. McKenna is out of options. His stay in SF might be short. Could wind up back in Baltimore after all
He’s not gonna be taking any at bats away from Matos in the near future. That kid is on fire right now !
According to Eck he will still always be a lamb
Buyer beware. Ryan owns a high k rate. I mean; we’re talking very high. Oof.
Ryan’s a baller. SF got a good 4th OF. Had some cool moments as an Oriole. Good luck, dude!
@Jeff
I think it’s more of a foster family situation than buyer/seller. lol
Backup center fielder
Might be a Slater replacement long term.
McKenna…
1. Sucks defensively but has his value tied to being a defensive replacement.
2. Can’t hit righties.
3. Has speed but is a bad baserunner.
4. Has concentration problems – which he has admitted that he sometimes has trouble concentrating on the field – which lead to brain farts.
He’s a liability on a playoff-caliber team, not an asset.
On a team like the Giants, he’s a placeholder earning the MLB minimum.