Giants’ roster move confirms Reds won worthless 2022 trade

The San Francisco Giants have been quietly building a contender out on the West Coast. Following the Los Angeles Dodgers' big-money acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, the Giants made several moves that they hope will bring some Ws to the Bay Area this season.

San Fran added outfielders Jung Ho Lee and Jorge Soler, along with Matt Chapman, Robbie Ray, and most recently Blake Snell. The Giants now appear to be a force to contend with in the uber-competitive NL West.

But one move that Reds fans might find a little humorous was the recent release of Amir Garrett. The former Cincinnati Reds hurler was cut loose this past week after signing a minor-league contract with San Francisco earlier this spring. AG's release confirms that the Reds still came out on top of what will ultimately be considered a worthless trade.

Giants’ roster move confirms Reds won worthless 2022 trade

Reds fans will remember the team's fire sale ahead of the 2022 season. After letting Wade Miley and Tucker Barnhart go following an 83-win season in 2021, the Reds began selling off assets prior to the start of the 2022 season.

Sonny Gray was the first to go, after Cincy dealt their All-Star hurler to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Chase Petty. The Reds then sent Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a trade package that included Jake Fraley and Brandon Williamson.

But the final trade that spring was rather peculiar at the time, and looking back now, it still doesn't make much sense. The Reds shipped Garrett to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for, ahem, Mike Minor.

The 2022 season was Minor's last in the big leagues, and it should have been. Minor went 4-12 with a 6.06 ERA and gave up 24 home runs while helping the Reds to fill the gaps in their rotation. Garrett's time in the Royals bullpen wasn't much better.

The southpaw went 3-1 with a 4.96 ERA and blown save. Garrett was DFA'd by Kansas City midway through last season. Ultimately, there were no winners in this trade, but having Minor helped to preserve some of the Reds young arms that season.

Garrett is probably best remembered during his Reds tenure for his ongoing feud with former Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez and charging the Pittsburgh Pirates' dugout in 2021. Garrett will now look to find a new team before the start of the 2024 season, but his 11.57 ERA and 3.214 WHIP this spring won't help his chances.

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