Padres Acquire Robbie Ray From Giants in Trade for Two Prospects

The trade, first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, saw the Padres send right-handed pitcher Miguel Mendez and shortstop Joniel Hernandez to the Giants, with the teams covering part of the remaining money owed to Ray, according to ESPN. The Padres also received cash considerations, as noted by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Ray, who signed a five-year, $115 million contract with the Seattle Mariners in November 2021, is in the final year of his deal and will be a free agent after the season, per the New York Post and The Athletic.

Sources Padres Finalizing Trade Giants Robbie Ray

Mendez, the Padres’ No. 4 prospect, and Hernandez, their No. 9, were part of the return. Mendez, 24, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and has a mid-90s fastball that can reach triple digits, with an excellent slider and changeup, according to CBS Sports. He had a breakout 2025 season but has struggled this year, posting a 4.93 ERA in 11 starts at Double-A San Antonio, per Jon Heyman. Hernandez, a 17-year-old Cuban shortstop, signed for $1.4 million in January and hit .303/.424/.503 in the Dominican Summer League, according to Joxfm.

Ray’s impact on the Padres is immediate. The team, 58-54 and one game out of the NL Wild Card, needed rotation help after injuries to Nick Pivetta (torn flexor tendon) and Joe Musgrove (Tommy John surgery). Their starters had a 4.66 ERA this season, the fourth-worst in MLB, per CBS Sports. Ray, who has a 1.65 ERA since June 1, will join Michael King as a reliable starter, reducing the need for bullpen games, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Since June 1, Ray has allowed zero earned runs in five starts and no more than one run in eight others, per Source 6.

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Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller emphasized the team’s shift from potential sellers to contenders. We’re trying to win championships. We’re trying to get to the postseason, and do it year after year, he said, per ESPN. The Padres have won eight of their last nine games, including a 10-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on August 2, to stay within striking distance of the playoffs, according to Source 7.

Robbie Ray traded to Padres from Giants

The Giants, 47-65 and out of playoff contention, continued their trade deadline sell-off. Ray’s departure follows the trades of Luis Arráez, with more moves expected, including potential deals involving relievers like Adrian Morejon, per Yahoo Sports. For San Francisco, the return includes high-upside prospects. Mendez, a 24-year-old with a 4.93 ERA in 2026, and Hernandez, a 17-year-old with a $1.4 million signing bonus, represent long-term value, though both are developmental risks, according to CBS Sports.

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Ray’s performance this season has been a key factor. He has allowed just one home run in 49⅓ innings since June 1, per ESPN, and his 1.65 ERA over the past two months has made him a highly sought-after rental starter. The Padres’ decision to acquire him underscores their urgency to strengthen a rotation that has struggled with injuries and inconsistency, according to Source 7.

Padres Acquiring Robbie Ray From Giants in Blockbuster Trade

The trade also highlights the Giants’ strategy of maximizing value from their remaining rentals. Ray, 34, has a 3.08 ERA in 22 games (21 starts) this season, his lowest since his Cy Young-winning campaign with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, per Source 4. He is 10-6 with 107 strikeouts versus 57 walks across 122 2/3 innings, according to Source 7.

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For the Padres, the trade addresses immediate needs. Their current rotation depth chart includes RHP Michael King, LHP Robbie Ray, RHP Nick Pivetta (out with a torn flexor tendon), and RHP Joe Musgrove (out with Tommy John surgery), per Source 6. Ray’s addition provides stability as the team prepares for a potential playoff push, with his first start expected against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he pitched from 2015-2020, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Giants’ decision to trade Ray reflects their focus on rebuilding. With the 2026 season nearing its midpoint, San Francisco aims to extract value from its veteran players, a strategy that includes exploring trades for relievers like Morejon, per Yahoo Sports. The Padres, meanwhile, have committed to a playoff run, trading away two top prospects to secure a veteran starter in a critical moment of their season.