The San Francisco Giants acquired outfielder Alejandro De Aza late Monday from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Luis Ysla, the Giants announced.
The Giants will also receive $650,000 from the Red Sox, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
This was not the first time De Aza was moved this season. The Baltimore Orioles traded him to the Red Sox in June, although Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors pointed out why it seemed like a strange addition for Boston at the time:
He’s a somewhat curious add for a Red Sox club that is already flush with outfield options and recently picked up fellow lefty-swinging corner outfielder Carlos Peguero in a trade with the Rangers. Boston also has Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Rusney Castillo on the roster as its starting trio in the outfield, with veterans Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino on the DL.
Given all that outfield depth and the fact Boston is going nowhere of significance this season, it makes sense that the team traded the outfielder and received something of value in return (Ysla was ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the Giants' system following the 2014 season by BaseballAmerica.com).
While De Aza struggled in Baltimore and hit only .214 with three home runs in 30 games, he played much better as a member of the Red Sox, hitting .292 with four homers in 60 games. He saw his average increase with better power at the plate, which is more reflective of the numbers he put up as a member of the Chicago White Sox from 2010-14, when he hit .270.
He is currently sitting at .261 with seven homers, 32 RBI and a .319 OBP, but his splits against right-handed pitching (.282 and all seven home runs) jump out for a Giants team in need of a left-handed bat off the bench.
De Aza can serve as the primary lefty substitution on days when Gregor Blanco starts, which provides manager Bruce Bochy with more versatility in critical, late-inning pinch-hitting situations against right-handed pitchers.
De Aza is a low-risk target for the Giants since he cost Boston only $1 million after its trade with Baltimore and the Red Sox sent cash considerations to San Francisco in the trade. He brings strong defense and the necessary speed to cover plenty of ground in the field and can fill in at multiple outfield positions for a Giants team with postseason aspirations.
He also hits for average and gets on base, which sets the table for the power hitters such as Buster Posey in the middle of the order.
The Giants are looking up at the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and the Chicago Cubs in the wild-card race and needed additional outfield options while Hunter Pence and Angel Pagan deal with injuries. The acquisition of the versatile De Aza (and Marlon Byrd) in August will help them stay in the playoff chase even with those lingering ailments.
Depth is important down the stretch run of a long baseball season for any team when physical setbacks and fatigue become concerns, and De Aza is another valuable piece for San Francisco as it looks toward a possible spot in the postseason.
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