Big news hit the baseball world on Friday. The Giants and Athletics shook hands over a deal that’s got everyone talking. They’re sending Ross Stripling, a seasoned right-hander, along with a chunk of cash, over to Oakland. In return? They’re snagging outfielder Jonah Cox. Oh, and there’s a tweet to prove it, straight from the Giants’ official account.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The Giants are also tossing $3.25 million into the mix. This means Oakland’s on the hook for $9.25 million come 2024, according to The Athletic. Stripling, who’s 34, wasn’t exactly cheap. He inked a deal with the Giants last winter for a cool $25 million over two years. But, let’s just say, his recent performance left a bit to be desired. With an ERA that made fans wince and a strikeout-to-walk ratio that was less than stellar, it wasn’t the dream season.
But hey, remember 2022? Stripling was on fire with the Blue Jays. It was, without a doubt, the highlight of his career. Then there was that whole “phantom IL” drama. Yeah, Stripling dropped that bombshell and raised more than a few eyebrows. Apparently, he hinted at exaggerating an injury. The Mets got into hot water for something similar. The league wasn’t amused, to say the least.
The Giants’ top brass, though, they’re backing Stripling. Farhan Zaidi, the guy calling the shots for baseball operations, insists Stripling was genuinely injured. He even told the team he needed some IL time while they were in Atlanta. Despite San Francisco covering part of Stripling’s paycheck, he’s still the A’s priciest player. And guess what? He’s not the only former Giant in Oakland. Alex Wood, another pitcher, is there too. Wood’s not far behind on the payroll, raking in $8.5 million.
Switching gears to Jonah Cox. This kid’s just 22 and already turning heads. Drafted from Oral Roberts University, he’s shown some serious promise in his first 35 games. With a batting average that’s hard to ignore and speed that’s even harder to catch, he’s quickly climbed the ranks. MLB.com has him pegged as the A’s 28th-best prospect. His speed? It’s the talk of the town.
