Padres Trade for Robbie Ray Amid NL Wild Card Standings Race, Latest MLB Rumors on Giants Return

Robbie Ray is reportedly on the move.

The San Francisco Giants are trading the starting pitcher to the San Diego Padres on Monday for Joniel Hernandez and Miguel Mendez, per ESPN's Jeff Passan and the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle reported the two teams will split the $1 million bonus that Ray is owed as part of the deal.

Ray, 34, was having a solid season for the Giants, going 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 122.2 innings (21 starts). The two-time All-Star and one-time Cy Young winner had been a reliable starter for the Giants over the past two seasons.

But with San Francisco going just 47-65 on the season, putting them fourth in the NL West and well out of the playoff picture, it wasn't surprising to see them trade a player like Ray. Contenders are always in the market for solid starters and the Giants have entered fire sale mode, with Luis Arráez previously traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Giants clearly need to rebuild their core and bolstering the farm system is a good way to aid in that process.

As for Ray, it's another new home in a career that has included stops with the Detroit Tigers (2014), Arizona Diamondbacks (2015-20), Toronto Blue Jays (2020-21), Seattle Mariners (2022-23) and the Giants (2024-26).

San Diego will be hoping he helps round out the rotation as they look to make a push for the World Series. At 58-54 the Padres are currently third in the NL West but just one game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies for the final NL Wild Card berth.