Major League Baseball lifted its freeze on transactions yesterday and the San Francisco Giants took that opportunity to release three players who had been in big league camp - pitchers Tyson Ross & Nick Vincent along with outfielder Jamie Westbrook.

Pitcher Tyson Ross in 2020 Spring Training with the San Francisco Giants

With the deadline looming to submit 60-man rosters, the Giants made the tough decision to release these players, who were only there for depth in the first place. They would have more than likely begun the season in Triple A with the Sacramento River Cats. Of course, this season, there are no Sacramento River Cats or any other Minor League Team for that matter to send them.

Nick Vincent was a quality reliever for the San Diego Padres before being signed last year by the Giants. He made the team out of Spring Training but was released halfway through the year then signed again this year. Vincent had a somewhat historical moment for the Giants last season when he became their first
"opener,” starting a game although the team planned to remove him after an inning or two.

Ross was likely to be a long reliever and spot starter if needed while Westbrook would have provided additional outfield depth. However, the Giants already have an array of outfield options. The problem is, none of those options (other than Mike Yastrzemski) are particularly reliable. This is why the Yasiel Puig rumors are swirling once again…

When we think of Madison Bumgarner’s best moments with the San Francisco Giants, the 2014 World Series will always be one of the first memories that comes to mind. However, his World Series dominance started in 2010, when he absolutely baffled Rangers hitters, helping the Giants win their first World Series in San Francisco. Not longer after that, the Giants Front Office knew they had to figure out a way to lock this guy up… and they did it.

After the 2012 World Series, which the Giants also won, Bumgarner signed a long term extension that would last through at least 2017, with options for 2018 and 2019. It was during this time that folks started making some noise about the fact that Bumgarner was being underpaid. The Giants heard the noise and knew they needed to negotiate another extension — and they were set to do so after the 2017 season, when Matt Cain’s contract would come off the books.

It was in April of 2017, however, when the Giants plans with Bumgarner were forever altered — he seriously injured his shoulder in a dirtbike accident. Although he eventually returned to action, there was no way the Giants would approve of a long term extension without at least making sure was fully healthy again in 2018. Fast forward to 2018 Spring Training, and a line drive off the hand throws another wrench into the extension plans. Bumgarner was sidelined again, and this time, the final decision would have to be made in 2019, which corresponded with the arrival of new President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi.

Zaidi showed up with a new philosophy in mind — an analytical philosophy that included making sure to not allow emotions to get in the way of practical decision-making. Bumgarner, at 30, signing a multi-year deal for upwards of 100 million dollars, would likely not be the wisest baseball decision in his mind. Therefore, he was allowed to become a Free Agent and take his talents elsewhere. It was not simply a cold, calculated, analytical Front Office that sent MadBum out of town, but it was a sequence of unfortunate events that included a dirtbike, a broken hand, and a Farhan Zaidi.

MLB Lifts Transaction Freeze & San Francisco Giants Cut Three Players

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