Giants right-hander Camilo Doval is drawing trade interest from multiple clubs, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle on X. The righty just crossed three years of service time in 2024, qualifying him for arbitration for the first time and putting him on pace for free agency after the 2027 season.
It was a down season for Doval but it’s understandable why clubs would still be interested, as it could be a chance to buy low on a guy with plenty of good results in previous years. Doval made 166 appearances for the Giants over the 2021-23 seasons, allowing 2.77 earned runs per nine innings. He struck out 30.2% of batters faced, gave out walks to 9.6% of opponents and kept 53.4% of balls in play on the ground. He earned three saves in 2021 before taking over the closer’s role more permanently, earning 66 more saves over the next two seasons.
But as mentioned, 2024 was undeniably a rough patch for him. He struggled enough that the Giants optioned him to the minors for a couple of weeks in August to try to help him reset his head and get back on track. He ultimately finished the season with a 4.88 ERA in 59 innings pitched. His 60% ground ball rate and 28.8% strikeout rate were both strong but he gave out free passes at a huge 14.4% clip.
Ryan Walker took over the closing job in San Francisco as that was happening. Walker finished his 2024 with a 1.91 ERA, 32.1% strikeout rate, 5.8% walk rate and 46.9% ground ball rate. Given the strength of that performance, he probably has a firm grip on keeping the gig going into 2025.
If the Giants could get Doval back to his pre-2024 form, they could certainly have him in a setup role alongside Walker. It wouldn’t be ideal to trade him if this is a temporary low point and he eventually returns to form.
On the other hand, if they expect his performance to continue to slip, it would make sense to consider trades before his value drops even lower. Even dominant relievers can suddenly experience a sharp drop-off in performance, impacting trade value. David Bednar of the Pirates had his name in plenty of trade rumors while posting a 2.25 ERA over the 2021-2023 seasons but the Bucs didn’t pull the trigger on any offers. Now they might wish they had, with Bednar posting a 5.77 ERA in 2024.
It’s also possible that the shift in the Giants’ front office could impact how they view Doval. It sometimes happens where a new general manager or president of baseball operations has a different valuation of a player than the predecessor, meaning their availability changes. The Giants just replaced Farhan Zaidi with Buster Posey in the POBO role and perhaps the new regime will be less committed to Doval than the previous one.
As mentioned, Doval is just getting to arbitration for the first time. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him for a salary of $4.6MM next year, with Doval eligible for two more passes through the arb system after that.
There would be plenty of surplus value there for the 2021-23 version of Doval. As shown in MLBTR’s Contract Tracker, the best relievers in the league have secured contracts that pay them $15-20MM annually and even solid setup guys can get eight-figure salaries. For any club with a plan for helping Doval put his 2024 behind him, his arb years would be a bargain, though that’s a bit uncertain at the moment with the way his most recent season played out.
Someone will want Duval. There is no shortage of contending teams that need a closer. Rangers, Red Sox, Yankees, Phillies and Diamondbacks all could use late inning pen help. Sure I am forgetting some teams.
And the Giants should strongly consider moving him for the right player or package. As well all know, relievers (even Closers) are extremely variable from season to season, and the Giants have the excellent Ryan Walker to close games.
The Giants have needs if they want to get out of .500 baseball and if the package is right, SF should go for it.
PS—I’m a Giants fan.
Well clearly they need a shortstop. Not really sure who is available.
Javier Baez 😉
Lol you wish
Then isn’t Walker a variable as well?
With precious little exception, every time the Red Sox deal for a closer it turns disastrous. I cite Mark Clear, Andrew Bailey, Carson Smith, Tyler Thornburg and Rob Murphy as examples.
If I recall from watching him against my Diamondbacks, doesn’t he have great stuff, except for the BB issue?
Ya and the general sense of apathy he exudes. Can’t have a guy walking dudes every time he’s on the mound
God I would love Doval on the Mets. He needs to get out of SF, its clear that he doesn’t like it there. He would absolutly thrive in Citi Field. Him and Diaz would be a great 1 2 punch
As a Giants’ fan I’d love to see him on the Met’s as well.
straight up for Luisangel
@Ernie Riles I’d drive him to the airport
Ezekiel Duran for Doval works.
Champ world champion Texas Rangers —
Duran’s an interesting player but I think it takes a bit more for Doval, especially if Duran doesn’t have the glove for SS.
Duran is actually good at SS watch the film
As a fan of SF, I don’t want Doval to be traded because 2022 and 2023 were awesome. Obviously 2024 left things to be desired, but 100+mph fastball and a devastating slider with a plus change-up are great tools. His walk rate was alarming and it seemed like he was always pitching himself into trouble. If he gets the walk rate back down, he can still be an elite reliever. I’d say wait until the deadline in 2025 to make a decision.
The walks are a problem. I’d rather he be traded than hope he can reduce the walks. Even in 2022-23 his BB% was 9.9%, which was higher than league average at 8.4%. Last season it was 14.4%. The most important thing for any reliever, especially a closer, is not walk people when coming into a game.
If they could package him in a deal for a legit power hitter they should do it.
Royals would make a lot of sense
In 2023 when he tied for the lead league in saves with 39 points … he blew 8 saves –
David Bednar who also saved 39 gamed – blew only 3
I know Bednar is a horrible example because he now isn’t doing very well … but I always thought that Doval’s % was not good …
he just had a lot of opportunities
That said – he could go either way this year…
And I think for 5 million he’s a great set up guy – but I don’t think he’s really a closer mentality …
So let’s see what Buster thinks …
Buster probably thinks Will Bendar is just as bad as David.
seriously surprised SF is ready to move on so quickly. 1 down year. he was a franchise closer a year ago. plenty of tms will be more than happy to have him
Not at all if you look at him back to last year he was already starting to struggle. You could predict very often he’d put 2 on before getting out of an inning. He’s pitched a a lot that past few years, The Giants went through several closers during the 2010s when they won the WS and non lasted at their best more than 3 years. Wilson, Romo, or Casilla. Doval has been used a lot the past few years.
I say trade him, it doesn’t matter if he goes on the be the greatest closer of all time! YOu can find closers everywhere.
Doval’s attitude is his biggest problem, he acts like he doesn’t care when he’s on the mound. There were reports that he said he only pitches the 9th inning. That’s reason enough for me to trade him this winter. They need a shortstop, a power hitting left fielder or first baseman & pitching.
I would package Doval, Luciano & Matos or Ramos for one of the above major league ready plus a top 15 minor leaguer. I don’t want guys on my team that weren’t team players and didn’t give 110%.
let him pitch the 9th in AAA and do well that could enhance trade value
Doval showed massive disagreement on batted ball results. I know Chapman is a terrific defender, but I’d bet he didn’t get much help otherwise on all those worm burners. Makes the walks that much more painful. If the wing works I’d expect a nice bounce back this year. bsky.app/profile/sandykazmir.bsky.social/post/3l7q…
Dude threw a tantrum after getting demoted out of the closer role, so they sent him to AAA.
Buyer beware.
Wouldn’t trade until he ups his value
but then if they are offered something on the chance he regains his stuff with a quality player in return then move on it.
IF Walker has his issues, Doval can be there to step in…otherwise they will have a gap
He needs a change of scenery. and I need to watch a relief pitcher who’s head is in the game and who doesn’t make every pitch an adventure.