Giants trade lefty Moore to Rangers for two prospects

The San Francisco Giants have traded left-handed pitcher Matt Moore to the Texas Rangers along with international signing bonus pool money in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitchers Sam Wolff and Israel Cruz, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans announced Friday.

December 16th, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants have traded left-handed pitcher Matt Moore to the Texas Rangers along with international signing bonus pool money in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitchers Sam Wolff and Israel Cruz, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans announced today. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed. 
"This move allows us to reallocate our resources to address our position player needs," said Evans. "In addition, we are pleased to add two power arms to our system. Our focus remains to strengthen our outfield defense and our everyday lineup."
Wolff, 26, was a sixth round selection by the Rangers in the 2013 MLB draft from the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM). Wolff split last season between double-A Frisco and triple-A Round Rock combining for a 4-5 record, 2.93 ERA (14er, 43.0ip) and three saves in 40 relief appearances. Overall, the South Dakota native has fashioned a record of 21-13 with a 3.25 ERA (88er, 243.2ip), eight saves and 223 strikeouts in 95 games (33 starts) in four minor league seasons. Wolff had previously been drafted by the Angels in the 42nd round in 2009 and by the Red Sox in the 47th round in 2011. He had the fifth-best fastball in the 2013 Draft according to Baseball America. Wolff is currently recovering from a flexor tendon surgery and should be at full health by June.  
Cruz, 20, was signed by the Rangers as a non-drafted free agent in 2014 and has spent the last four seasons in Texas' minor league chain posting a 6-7 record with a 4.02 ERA (67er, 150.0ip) in 43 games (24 starts). The Venezuelan native spent this past season with the Rangers' rookie team in Arizona, logging a 3-2 record and a 5.91 ERA (21er, 32.0ip) in 12 games (three starts). Cruz has allowed just one home run in 150.0 career professional innings. 
Moore, 28, completed his second season with the Giants in 2017 posting a 6-15 record with a 5.52 ERA (107er, 174.1ip) in 32 games (31 starts). His 5.52 ERA was the highest figure among all qualifying pitchers in the big leagues last season. In his brief two-year stint with the Giants, Moore went 12-20 with a 5.12 ERA (138er, 242.2ip) in 44 games (43 starts).  
With tonight's trade, the Giants now have 39 players on their 40-man roster.