Guardians fans are about to learn reality of Patrick Bailey trade after Giants roster move

At the beginning of May, the Guardians got a jump-start on the trade deadline by dealing pitching prospect Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for catcher Patrick Bailey. 

And while Bailey’s been an additive for the Guardians behind the plate,the loss of Wilkinson hit hard since he had an 80-grade nickname and a strong arsenal to boot. 

But now that tugboat is set to dock outside Oracle Park, as MLB insider Jeff Passan reported earlier today that the Giants are planning on calling Wilkinson up to the big leagues. 

While it’s unknown if he’s going to work as a starter or reliever, one thing we do know is that he’s likely going to make his debut against the Guardians since they’re about to start a three-game series against the Giants on Tuesday. 

Matt Wilkinson could give the Guardians buyers remorse 

The Guardians initially drafted Wilkinson in the 10th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Central Arizona College, and he wasted no time turning into one of Cleveland’s top pitching prospects. 

He ended up putting together an electric 2024 season where he had a 1.90 ERA in 118 2/3 innings at Single-A and High-A. 

He took a step back last season (4.24 ERA in 104 innings at High-A), but the Guardians still decided to call him up to Double-A at the start of this season. 

That proved to be the right decision, as he had a 1.59 ERA in 28 1/3  innings at Double-A Akron before the Guardians decided to sell high on his value by dealing him to the Giants. 

He’s spent most of the season at Triple-A Sacramento, where he has a 5.15 ERA in 43 2/3 innings (though he did have 43 strikeouts). 

Meanwhile, Bailey has recorded a .208/.260/.357 slashline with the Guardians while providing them with great defense and game-calling. 

He may have his warts, but he’s been a better player than he was in San Francisco, and has helped stabilize Cleveland’s previously uncertain catching unit. 

But that performance hasn’t been enough to deter the Giants from giving him his first big league look. And that decision largely makes sense given how much of a lost season it’s been for the Giants, who are 51-73 and have been playing out the string for a better part of the past three months.

That said, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey did a great job adding to his team’s pitching pipeline at the deadline, and Wilkinson’s promotion is a tangible example of that. 

All that sets up what should be some great theater whenever Wilkinson makes his MLB debut later this week. He could start Wednesday’s game (which the Giants currently have listed as TBD), or could appear out of the bullpen if San Francisco wants to have more control over his innings. 

Regardless of the role, it’ll be a fun full circle moment for Guardians fans to see. Unless Wilkinson dominates. Then it’s just going to be sad. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow