Shayna Rubin of the SF Chronicle backed up by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports the Giants are close to signing Tyler Mahle RHP to a 1 year contract. Other terms of the deal are not published. Mahle, once a back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher for the Reds, has been severely limited in his innings over the past several seasons due to injuries. The Giants are giving him a 1 year chance to prove the injuries are behind him.
Tyler Mahle RHP. DOB: 9/29/1994. 6' 3", 210 lbs.
2025(Rangers): 6-4, 2.18, 86.2 IP, 6.85 K/9, 3.01 BB/9, 0.95 GB/FB.
That's a mighty shiny ERA from his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. Once again, his innings were limited due to what was ultimately diagnosed as a rotator cuff strain. His peripheral numbers left something to be desired too. He features a pitch mix features 3 types of fastball, 4-seam, split and cutter plus a slider. Despite having a flyball tendency he was able to keep his HR rate down by directing most of those flyballs to CF. Is that a repeatable skill? It appears Mahle's case to pitch for the Giants got a big boost from Bruce Bochy, his manager the last two seasons with the Rangers. Bochy says Mahle "has a lot of poise out there." I think poise is another way of saying veteran savvy and as we all know, Bruce Bochy absolutely loves veteran savvy.
Mahle did come back to allow just 1 ER in 9.2 IP, in two starts coming off the IL in September. I assume the Giants thoroughly reviewed his medical records and will do a physical before finalizing the signing.
Mahle stretches the rotation, at least to start the season and gives the cadre of young pitchers time to add salt in AAA Sacramento to audition for a future SP position out of the bullpen. It seems unlikely the Giants will pursue another SP in the free agent market but could use the signing to make them more comfortable offering the younger SP's on the 40-man roster up in trades for a 2B or RF.
Happy New Year Doc! I hope you and your family had a festive ringing in the year.
ReplyDeleteAs per usual I was in bed by 10! :)
While I did not do any cartwheels over Mahle's signing > I reviewed his year he came away with a 2.2 War > lifetime 11.6
So starter numbers in anyway > And if Boch is correct in his assessment >Then I can sllep on that.
My smart phone algorithms keep sending my feeds saying the Giants are still in on Bichette > I hope those do not ring true.
I would rather see Giants give Casey the full time opportunity > save any money for a deadline pick up!
Richard in Winnipeg
Your analysis of the Mahle signing makes sense, especially from the Bochy angle. Its not a marquee free agent but should fit right in with Buster's vision.
ReplyDeleteThis signing will not silence the many fans who want a Top of the Rotation SP – or near that.
ReplyDeleteBut, if history is a guide, it could give the Giants a fast start on a formidable schedule: 3 games at home with the Yankees followed by the Padres, Mets, Phillies, and, later in April, the Dogs.
10 of their first 13 games are at Home, just 3 on the road in SD after a day off.
If Doc is right (and he usually is), there won't be another top SP signed, but we can't put it past Buster to surprise us with, say, Max Scherzer to unite with his old friend, Tony Vitello!
There goes Imai, to the ‘Stros. Contract smaller than predicted with yearly opt outs. I hate opt outs so I’m OK with that.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
I am pretty sure Buster Posey hates opt-outs too.
DeleteThese signings are very underwhelming so far. Houser and Mahle don’t move the needle. There’s always scenarios for them to have success but based on the past these are just cheap options where if they don’t work out then they can go to the young guys. They are signing guys that aren’t guaranteed to hold their rotation spot unless they pitch out of their mind so they aren’t blocking the young guys. I do like how the Giants want to develop a young pitcher or two and seem committed. Always love the homegrown guys
ReplyDeleteFangraphs Roster-Resource says $10M for Mahle
ReplyDeletehttps://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/payroll/giants
Mahle's signing brings one measure of the Giants luxury tax payroll to $32,000,00 under the threshold for paying tax.
ReplyDeleteA giant hugh from a loyal Giants fan and a Daily reader of your blog. You walk me through games, players and lovely details almost every day. Be strong, be proud. P.
ReplyDelete