San Francisco Giants Acquire Outfielder/Catcher Cooper Hummel from the New York Mets
In a recent transaction, the New York Mets have traded outfielder/catcher Cooper Hummel to the San Francisco Giants for an undisclosed cash amount. This move comes after the Mets claimed Hummel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners and subsequently designated him for assignment.
Cooper Hummel’s Journey in Major Leagues
At 29, Hummel has had a relatively limited experience in the major leagues, with only 227 plate appearances to his credit. His journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted in the 18th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. After playing for the Brewers’ minor league affiliates, he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021. He made his MLB debut on April 7, 2022, hitting his first career home run shortly after.
Despite his modest batting stats in the majors, Hummel has shown promise in Triple-A, with a solid batting average and on-base percentage. However, his performance in the 2023 season was underwhelming, batting just .087 in 10 games.
Giants’ Strategy with Cooper Hummel
he With the current composition of the Giants’ roster, it’s not immediately clear how much playing time Hummel will get. the team’s primary catcher is Patrick Bailey, backed up by Tom Murphy. Nevertheless, the Giants have previously shown a propensity for employing players with similar profiles. A fitting example is Blake Sabol, who performed both catching and outfield duties last year.
Hummel, like Sabol, could potentially share part-time catching responsibilities or be utilized in Triple-A for depth purposes. It’s also worth noting that Hummel’s switch-hitting ability and versatility in playing multiple positions could offer valuable bench depth.
Looking Ahead
The exact strategy the Giants have in mind for Hummel remains to be seen as the season progresses. His experience in both the outfield and as a catcher could provide the Giants with some flexibility in roster management. Furthermore, his performance in the minor leagues suggests that he may still have untapped potential that could be harnessed in the right environment.
Regardless, this recent transaction underscores the fluid nature of professional baseball, where trades are a common occurrence and players often move between teams. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Hummel and the Giants to see how this new arrangement plays out.
