“If you blinked, you might have missed Mike Baumann’s brief stint with the San Francisco Giants. The veteran reliever was traded to the Los Angeles Angels just before the deadline, according to the team’s transaction log.”
SF Giants ship veteran reliever to the Angels after brief stint with the club
Baumann was placed on waivers over the weekend after being designated for assignment due to the return of Hayden Birdsong and Spencer Bivens from the minors. It didn’t take long for him to be traded to the Angels for cash considerations.
The Giants had only just acquired the right-handed pitcher from the Seattle Mariners the previous week, just ahead of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers often present a tough challenge for the Giants, and with their bullpen exhausted, the Giants brought in Baumann as a potential option to cover a few innings if needed.
However, Giants announcer Dave Flemming criticized the lack of personal consideration in the roster moves, using Baumann’s addition as an example. Flemming argued that the move was questionable and that Bivens should have been called up instead. Unfortunately, Baumann found himself caught in the middle of this situation, but Flemming was pointing out a broader issue with the front office’s decisions.
Baumann did get into a game with the Giants. Manager Bob Melvin brought him in to pitch during a blowout win against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night. However, Baumann struggled, giving up two earned runs while recording just two outs before being replaced by Ryan Walker, who has been heavily used.
That turned out to be Baumann’s only appearance with San Francisco. Over parts of four seasons with the Giants, Mariners, and Baltimore Orioles, Baumann has compiled a 4.68 ERA with 122 strikeouts and 65 walks in 144.1 innings.
Baumann now joins an Angels bullpen that has posted a 4.34 ERA in 2024, a mark that is among the worst in the league, so there may be opportunities for the veteran pitcher to contribute.
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