By Sunday 
Quiet Trade Deal Sends Giants’ Minor League Pitcher to Mets
When you hear “trade deadline,” you think fireworks. Big names, blockbuster deals, jersey swaps. But sometimes, the moves that fly under the radar tell you just as much about a team’s priorities—and this weekend, the San Francisco Giants quietly made one of those moves.
A Low-Key Move With No Roster Shakeup
On Saturday, the Giants shipped minor league right-hander Justin Garza to the New York Mets for cash considerations. No players changed hands. No roster chaos. No social media buzz. Just a minor leaguer trying to find his way back to the bigs.
Garza wasn’t factoring into San Francisco’s immediate plans, and with the Giants boasting one of the league’s best bullpens, there just wasn’t a spot for him. The front office, knowing that, found him a landing spot with the Mets, a team constantly on the hunt for reliable arms.
Garza’s Track Record: Ups and Downs
Garza signed with the Giants before the 2024 season and pitched mostly with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. Last year, he looked solid:
- 5-2 record
- 3.60 ERA in 39 appearances
- 63 strikeouts over 55 innings
But 2025 has been tougher. In 19 outings this season, Garza’s ERA ballooned to 6.11, though his strikeout-to-walk ratio (20 Ks to 6 BBs in 17.2 innings) wasn’t bad.
At 30, Garza is still chasing another crack at the majors—his last stint came in 2023 with the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a rough 7.36 ERA in 17 appearances.
A Fresh Start in Queens
For Garza, this move is more than a transaction—it’s a shot. The Mets bullpen has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, and a veteran arm like Garza’s may be what they need to plug some gaps. He’s made 38 total MLB appearances since debuting with the Cleveland Guardians in 2021, and he brings experience, a decent fastball, and hopefully a fresh mindset.
Giants Stay the Course
Meanwhile, the Giants stay deep and steady. With Camilo Doval closing games and Randy Rodriguez handling the setup role, San Francisco’s bullpen has been a bright spot. Garza just didn’t have a path forward in a group that’s already locked in.
Final Thought
No, this isn’t the kind of trade you’ll hear Stephen A. yelling about. But for the Mets and Garza, it could quietly pay off. And for the Giants, it’s simply a nod to how loaded their bullpen really is.
Stay tuned—trade season is just getting started.