The New York Yankees require roster upgrades before the July 30 trade deadline. General manager Brian Cashman must prioritize strengthening the bullpen. Could San Francisco Giants closer Camilo Doval be a viable option for the Bronx Bombers?
Sports Illustrated’s Patrick McAvoy believes the “electrifying” reliever would be a “worthy deadline addition” for New York. “Doval’s 4.38 ERA isn’t great this year, but he still is in the 97th percentile in fastball velocity, 97th percentile in whiff percentage, and 95th percentile in ground ball percentage,” he told me.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Doval may be an appealing target for candidates as the deadline approaches. “If the San Francisco Giants sell at the trade deadline, teams will pounce on 27-year-old closer Camilo Doval, despite his struggles,” Nightengale wrote on Thursday.
Doval has made 17 saves in 21 chances for San Francisco this season. However, it has been accompanied by a 4.38 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 37 innings. That pales in comparison to what he’s accomplished to begin his career from 2021 to 2023. Doval has saved 69 games in his first 162.1 innings, posting a 2.77 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 204 strikeouts.
Doval Would Help the Yankees in 2024 and Beyond.
If the Yankees attempt to trade for Doval, the move might have both short- and long-term rewards.
Looking ahead to 2024, he’s a hard-throwing reliever with swing-and-miss stuff and lots of late-game experience. It would be ideal to team him with current New York closer Clay Holmes, who has been chosen an All-Star for the second time in his career.
Because of Holmes’ current contract status, acquiring Doval could be a long-term strategy for the Yankees. He is making $6 million this season and is due to become a free agency in November.
If the Yankees do not want to re-sign Holmes, Doval would provide an immediate (and very inexpensive) option for the back end of the bullpen. The 27-year-old earns $770,000 in 2024 and will go through his first year of arbitration this winter. He can also remain under team control until 2027, when he turns 29.
Will the Giants sell at the deadline?
San Francisco has fallen short of preseason expectations thus far in 2024. They began the All-Star break with a 47-50 record, nine games behind the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Nonetheless, they remain in Wild Card contention. The Giants will start the second half only three games behind the last NL postseason place.
With a good week or so of play following the break, it’s easy to envision San Francisco buying at the deadline. Could they be thinking about taking a different route?
On July 11, Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, spoke with KNBR’s Tolbert & Copes show on the front office’s thoughts on the current club.
“We’re four games under.500. Overall, it’s been a major disappointment. We made a significant investment on this team. “We need the players to show us the right direction,” he stated. “If we keep playing like we did for the last 5 days, we’re going to have to think about selling and seeing some younger players.”
Going in that route would be a hard right after getting Robbie Ray, Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, and Jung Hoo Lee this offseason. It appears like the first few days after the All-Star break will be critical for the Giants’ near future. If things don’t go well, it will be fascinating to watch who they make accessible in trade talks.
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