Giants and lefties Sam Hentges According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the two sides have agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.4MM. The Giants have an open spot on the 40-man roster and do not need to take action once the trade becomes official. Southpaw is repped by Warner Sports Management.
This is a buy-low wild-card move for the Giants. Hentges was a solid presence in the Guardians’ bullpen a few years ago, but he hasn’t been healthy for a while. During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Hentges pitched 114 1/3 innings for Cleveland, allowing 2.91 earned runs per nine. His 7.9% walk rate was just above average, while his 27.4% strikeout rate and 60.1% ground ball rate were both very strong. He gradually worked his way up to high-leverage jobs, earning 23 holds during that time.
He continued his form for a while in 2024, posting a 3.04 ERA in another 23 2/3 innings. However, he went on the injured list in July due to some inflammation in his throwing shoulder. He will need surgery in September and will have a recovery time of 12 to 14 months.
Even though he could miss most or all of 2025, the Guard is keeping him around. He remains under club control until 2027, so there is still a potential long-term return. He is arbitration-eligible as a Super Two until 2024 and earned $1.1625MM in the first of four arbitration seasons. In 2025, the Defenders slightly increased his salary to $1.337MM. Even if he doesn’t get healthy by season’s end, he’ll still be in control for another two seasons.
In 2025, not only did he not return to the major leagues, he did not even start rehabilitation training. In September, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Recovery time from the procedure is three to four months. That means he should be healthy by spring, but the Guard decided to move on. They held off on tendering Hunter Gus last week, sending him to free agency.
The Giants have stepped in and signed Hentges to a slightly higher salary than last year despite missing the entire season. San Francisco not soliciting bids Joey Lucchesi Last week but currently there are Eric Miller, Matt Gage and saint martin rever As a lefty in the bullpen. Hunters is obviously a big unknown, having been out for a season and a half. But if he can get healthy, he could be the best left-hander of the bunch.
If he does get back on track, his salary will be cheap, just above the league minimum, at $780,000 next year. He has no choice, but if things go particularly well next year, he could be retained through arbitration through the 2027 season.
Photos by Jim Rassol, Imagn Images
