SAN FRANCISCO – Thairo Estrada is on the Giants' roster Wednesday night in Milwaukee, but his time in orange and black could soon be coming to an end.
Just before the second game of a series against the Brewers, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported, citing a league source, that Estrada and left-handed relievers Taylor Rogers and Tyler Matzek were placed on waivers. The veterans are available to any team — likely a contender — that wants to take on the rest of their 2024 salaries.
On paper, that's a surprising report, but this type of waiver activity has become commonplace, and exploded last year when the Los Angeles Angels controversially placed six players on waivers in late August to get under the tax line. The Giants could see significant savings if someone claims Rogers, who is due just over $2 million for the rest of this year and $12 million for the 2025 MLB season.
Estrada is due about $850,000 for the remainder of the season and is eligible for arbitration this winter. Given his struggles, the Giants felt they were unlikely to sign him in the offseason, making him a free agent anyway. Estrada was one of the league's most productive second basemen last season but has struggled with hand injuries this year and entered Wednesday's game with a .246 on-base percentage and a .591 OPS.
Rogers is having a strong year, although manager Bob Melvin has preferred young left-hander Erik Miller in high-pressure situations. Matzek arrived a month ago in exchange for Jorge Soler and is currently rehabbing. He is due about $560,000 for the rest of the year.
Estrada would be the most significant departure, as he was viewed as a building block just a year ago. The Giants now have Tyler Fitzgerald in a middle infield spot, and rival evaluators expect them to sign shortstops as free agents this winter, potentially pushing Fitzgerald to second base. Brett Wisely and Casey Schmitt would also be options, as would Marco Luciano, a top talent who learned the second baseman position in Triple-A this summer.
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