Done Deal: Molina for Chris Ray and Michael Main

The final details on the trade is that for Molina and cash to make the deal cash neutral, we get Chris Ray and Michael Main, who will go to AA Richmond. RHP Main was their first round draft pick in 2007. He was ranked their 21st prospect by Baseball America for 2010.

Main's development and progress has been hampered by health problems, but he has a live arm that can get to 96-7 MPH at times and I'm sure the Giants are eager to work with that. He is doing very well (3.45 ERA) in Advnaced A right now, and the Giants must know him well because he's pitching in the California League that San Jose plays in. That is, a hitter's league.

However, his FIP is 5.05, so it appears he's a lot lucky this season. His BB/9 is low but his K/9 is low too, though K/BB is over 3, which is excellent.  The odd thing is that someone with this type of velocity usually have problems with their control but then strikes out a lot, not the other way around.  Hopefully, the Giants can help him increase his strikeout rate.  I think his FIP is high because his HR/9 is high, and that is high because his flyball rate is high, 48% and ground ball low, 38%.

Giants Thoughts

This is a very good return for Molina, definitely better than what we would have gotten for him being a Type A free agent last season had we offered arbitration.  We probably got him both because he's a prospect on the down side (due to injuries) plus because we gave up a lot of money in the deal too.  We bought ourselves a former closer in Ray who could steady the set-up position for us and a good prospect in Main, who is only 21, and could be something for us in 2-3 years with further development.

Main is no sure thing, but with his velocity, if the Giants can get him to develop a breaking ball, like Lincecum's changeup or Runzler's slider or a nice cutter, then he could be pretty good. Certainly better prospect now than Alderson or Barnes, I think.  BA notes that "he's still a premium athlete with a quick arm and good makeup, but he needs to get stronger and stay healthy for a full season."

This is a great deal for the Giants, someone to help now, someone to help maybe later, for someone who would be gone soon at some point.  Main I would put in a category like Shawn Estes or Alfredo Simon, a failed or slow to develop prospect for the other team that we're going to take a look at and maybe make him useful.  The Giants have a good history of taking other people's discards and making them useful.  In addition, this opens up playing time at 1B as Posey will now mainly catch (though Baggarly noted that Whiteside will start catching more games too), which could open up playing time in the outfield when Huff is playing 1B plus allow Pablo to play 1B so that Uribe and Renteria can both start.