Farhan Zaidi’s time as president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants was filled with controversy. However, his trade for Robbie Ray last year has turned into a major win for the team that let him go.
On Sunday, Ray once again showed his value by pitching six strong innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing just one run. His performance helped the Giants secure a crucial win and take the series in Washington D.C.
This outing improved Ray’s record to 7-0 in 11 starts this season, with an impressive 2.56 ERA. He is pitching like the Cy Young Award winner he was in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Giants now boast a strong starting rotation led by Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.
This success stems from Zaidi’s smart trade in January 2024, when the Giants acquired Ray from the Seattle Mariners. To get Ray, the Giants traded outfielder Mitch Haniger and pitcher Anthony DeSclafani.
Haniger is currently without a team, while DeSclafani has struggled with injuries and recently signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees.
Zaidi has faced criticism for some poor signings and moves during his tenure. Still, he deserves credit for this trade, which was made with an eye on the future. At the time, Ray was recovering from Tommy John surgery and expected to miss much of 2024.
Now fully recovered, Ray’s arm looks strong, and he is pitching with confidence. If the Giants want to maintain success this season, they will rely heavily on their starting pitchers.
Though Zaidi was fired before he could fully receive praise for the Ray trade, his role in securing such a valuable player is clear. This trade stands as a bright spot in his tenure and a gift to the Giants going forward.
